Daredevil Crosses English Channel on Helium Balloons
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American gliding fanatic uses helium balloons to cross from England to France.
An American man in Kent has become the first man to fly across the English Channel using little more than a chair and some inflatable balloons.
Jonathan Trappe set off from Challock, near Ashford in the early hours of this morning in an attempt to become the first man to cross the iconic stretch of water by helium balloons.
The US enthusiast is a member of the Kent Gliding Club and has already set the record for longest free-floating balloon flight in North Carolina, but crossing the Channel was quite a different challenge. For one, Mr Trappe was not wearing an immersion suit, which could have presented problems if his balloons had dumped him in the sea between England and France.
Much like the Pixar character in UP, Mr Trappe utilised the lift of dozens of balloons before controlling his descent by slowly cutting loose the helium-filled inflatables. The contraption reached heights of 7,000 feet before Mr Trappe started his descent.
Speaking earlier to Sky News Mr Trappe said: “I think we can make it. We have got a beautiful day here. We are going to fly the English Channel in a cluster of balloons.”
On the topic of balloons, inventor James Dyson has employed the inflatables to promote his new bladeless fan, the Air Multiplier, on YouTube.
Now, what would be really impressive is if Dyson and Trappe could come together to create a truly stunning spectacle. A massive Dyson Air Multiplier to push the gliding fanatic through various assault courses would be a spectacular sight to see.
Take that as a challenge Mr Dyson.
