Landed! 68 hours, 46 minutes aloft! Non-stop balloon flight launched out of Albuquerque piloted over New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska before crossing the Missouri river and descending for landing in Iowa!
AMERICA'S CHALLENGE: Successful long-distance balloon launch of manned helium balloon from Albuquerque, New Mexico! Flight of "Rainbow in the Dark" sets new America's Challenge race duration record, claims 2nd place in distance race!
Flight details to follow with full flight debrief page!
Blueberry Cluster Flies the Indiana Skies! [Full Story]
For almost 10 hours on August 31st 2008, the skies over Indiana played host to a giant 'Blueberry Cluster' of 38 helium balloons, piloted by Jonathan Trappe. Thanks to the Marshall County Hot Air Affair, the Blueberry cluster achieved an altitude of 17,930 feet-- a personal record for Mr. Trappe, and within throwing distance of the World Record. Trappe stayed below 18,000 feet to maintain strict compliance with FAA regulations for this type of flight.
The launch could not have happened without the wonderful volunteers who arose in the early pre-light hours in order to meet at the field at 4:00 am. [ ! ] Thank you all very much; we sincerely appreciate it. Special thanks goes out to the flight's two main sponsors: the helium provider All American Welding and the overall event sponsor the Marshall County Hot Air Affair! It was the MCHAA Board members that made the flight happen. Jim, Ron, Cecil: thank you for the wonderful opportunity to fly in Plymouth.
Additional photos and information on the Blueberry Cluster flight will be posted here as soon as possible! We had many guests on the launch field and we would love to receive photos from the participants! Please use the Contact Us page to send us a note; we will follow up with you right away!
Additional Accounts:
IMPORTANT: This flight was piloted by an FAA Certified pilot carrying appropriate safety and emergency equipment (transponder, aircraft radios, parachute, oxygen, etc.) Local and regional FAA air-traffic controllers were appropriately notified and the entire flight operated in strict compliance with all Federal Aviation Regulations. DO NOT attempt any ballooning activity without training from an FAA qualified instructor. Your life, and and the lives of those we share the sky with, depends on it.
"Chairway To Heaven" ascends over North Carolina! [Full Story]
Early in the morning of June 7th, from an airfield in Franklin County North Carolina, Jonathan Trappe launched his standard, unmodified office chair under a cluster of 55 helium balloons, and took to the skies! The 4-hour flight attainted an altitude approaching 15,000 feet and covered a ground track of approximatly 50 miles. The flight was equipped with a transponder, aircraft radio, parachute and a high-altitude oxygen system; the entire flight was conducted in full compliance with all Federal Aviaiton Regulations-- and was a tremendous success!
Additional Accounts:
- BALLOONING Magazine
- News and Observer
- N & O Gallery
- Accenture
- XLTA.org
- Triangle Business Journal
- New York Times (excerpt)
