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French balloonists cross Channel
Electric-powered balloon crossing is a new record – and team look forward to 2015 Mediterranean attempt
TWO Frenchmen have succeeded in becoming the first to cross the Channel in an electric-powered balloon from Cap Gris Nez (Pas-de-Calais).
TV presenter Gérard Feldzer and Pierre Chabert, of aeronautics association Transocéans, landed in England just west of Folkestone at Littlestone on Sea, Romney Marsh, two hours and 23 minutes later.
They took off at 7.30 in perfect wind conditions – and left behind their support boat which hit engine trouble.
Their Iris Challenger balloon – six metres high and 14m in diameter and filled with 600m3 of helium - resembled a giant flying saucer with the passenger basket and two giant electric-powered propellers slung below.
It was their second attempt at the crossing after hitting problems in 2011 when they hit weather problems.
Now they are working with engineers from Air Liquide and looking forward to attempting a crossing of the Mediterranean in 2015 and the Atlantic in 2017.
Photo: Transoceans
