Balloonist gets that sinking feeling

BRITISH explorer David Hempleman-Adams, yesterday began his record-breaking transatlantic balloon bid with a rather shaky launch.

The 45-year-old balloonist, mountaineer and polar explorer from Wiltshire is hoping to beat five records including the solo world distance record of 5,340km (3,337.5 miles) for the helium and hot-air balloon type on the dangerous crossing.

The moonlight launch from Allegheny County airport near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, almost had the worst of starts when his balloon, carrying an open wicker basket, came within 10 feet of crashing just seconds after lift-off.

Flags and radio antennae hanging beneath touched the ground after the balloon rapidly dropped after just 50 yards of flight.

But with Mr Hempleman-Adams quickly throwing sand ballast out, the balloon began to rise and with three blasts on the burner it was soon up to 150ft.

The balloon is now set to climb to an altitude of 10,000ft, at around 400ft a minute for the first hour, for the trip which is expected to last some six days. It is estimated he will land somewhere in Portugal.

Launch master Gavin Hailes said the early morning temperature had affected the balloon’s balance.

“It wasn’t quite the start we wanted, it is very cold. But he’s off now.”

At the balloon launch, father-of-three Mr Hempleman Adams said: “I will be happy just to land somewhere safely in Europe.”

Although equipped with two emergency life rafts, the latest communications equipment and an immersion suit, he said his biggest fear is having to ditch in the Atlantic.

“It’s a big, big old ocean,” he told the gathered crowd of balloon enthusiasts, well-wishers and journalists.

Navigation of the Roziere balloon will mean he can only sleep for one hour at a time and could fly at heights up to 24,000ft where temperatures drop to minus 30C.

He will be able to eat fresh food for a couple of days and will then rely on dehydrated packet food.

The explorer has also been given supplies of doughnuts from a Pittsburgh store and even a freshly-baked apple pie from a local 83-year-old grandmother.

Another woman also gave him a package with a New York address to drop off on route.

Mr Hempleman-Adams said he had chosen to use the open wicker basket over the now conventional enclosed capsule used by other transatlantic balloonists, in an effort to return to “more romantic adventure”.