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Around the World Ballooning Flights
Compilation of Projects, Attempts and Flights

Updated: 25 July 2002

1980

01 - Don Cameron

"ICI Innovation". Project presentation - (UK)

.

,

Announced plans in Aerostat June 1980. No current plans

.

Crew:

Peter Bohanna, Julian Nott, and Leo Dickinson

,

Balloon:

AM Rozière Balloon Cameron

,

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1/11/81

02 - Maxie Anderson

"Jules Verne" - (USA)

.

.

Luxor, Egypt to Hansa, India.

Attempt no: 1

Crew:

Don Ida

.

Balloon:

AA Gas Balloon

Flight no: 1

Distance/Duration:

2 676 miles --- 4 306 km --- 48 hours

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

12/20/81

.

India.

Attempt no: 2

Crew:

Don Ida

.

Balloon:

AA Gas Balloon

Flight no: 2

Distance/Duration:

20 miles --- 32 km

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

11/7/82

 .

Stratobowl, Rapid City, South Dakota to Midland, Ontario, Canada

Attempt no: 3

Crew:

Don Ida

.

Balloon:

AA Gas Balloon

Flight no: 3

Distance/Duration:

1 162 miles --- 1 870 km --- 16 hours

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1984

03 - Julian Nott

"Explorer". Project presentation. - (UK)

.

. 

Test of AS in 1984. Announced intention to launch from California 1988

.

Crew:

Buddy Squires

.

Balloon:

AS13 Superpressure Gas Balloon, 500 000 cu ft / 14 158 m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1988

.

New project name: "Endeavour", Intention to launch from California 1988

1988 April

04 - John Petrehn

(USA)

Attempt 4

.

Mendoza, Argentina. Balloon inflated but never launched due to damage.

.

Crew:

Rowland Smith

.

Balloon:

AA & AX US Government surplus gas balloon with 240 000 cu ft Hot Air

.

.

Balloon mounted below. No true Rozière

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1989

05 - Joe Kittinger

Project presentation - (USA).

.

 .

Originally announced plans for a Gas Balloon, now large Hot Air Balloon.

.

Crew:

Solo

.

Balloon:

AX Hot Air Balloon

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1990

06 - Larry Newman

"Earthwinds Hilton". Project presentation. - (USA)

.

 .

Plans 12 to 15 days at 32-35 000 feet. Four attempts so far, the first in 1992.

.

Crew:

Richard Abruzzo, David Melton

.

Balloon:

AA15 Raven. Gas Balloon with Anchor Balloon.

.

 .

1 100 000 cu ft / 31 150 m3 helium and 550 000 / 15 575 m3 cold air.

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

11/1/90

 .

"Earthwinds".Test flight November 1990 went well

.

 .

Crew change. Branson not in crew now due to unavailability at survival training

.

Crew:

Vladimir Dzhanibehov, Don Moses

.

Information source:

Aerostat 92:1

1992-02-13/21

 .

"Virgin-Earthwinds" 2nd attempt fails due to wind. Akron, Ohio

Attempt no: 5

Crew:

Vladimir Dzhanibehov, Don Moses

.

Information source:

Aerostat 92:3, 94:3

1/12/93

.

"Virgin-Earthwinds" 2nd attempt fails after 12 miles due to lack of lift.

Attempt no: 6

 .

Reno, Nevada. Most expensive balloon project ever.

.

Crew:

Vladimir Dzhanibehov, Don Moses

.

Balloon:

AA15 Raven. Gas Balloon with Anchor Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 150 m3 helium and 550 000 / 15 575 m3 cold air.

Flight no: 4

Distance/Duration:

12 miles --- 19 km

.

Information source:

Aerostat 93:5, 94:3

1993 Oct

.

"Earthwinds". New attempt in Nov 93. New crewmembers, picture of inflation.

.

Crew:

Richard Abruzzo, David Melton, Vladimir Dzhanibekov

.

Information source:

Aerostat 93:1

11/5/93

.

"Earthwinds" 3rd attempt fails due to equipment failure. Reno, Nevada.

Attempt no: 7

Crew:

Richard Abruzzo, David Melton, Vladimir Dzhanibekov

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1/12/94

.

"Earthwinds Hilton." 4th attempt failed after 200 miles from Reno in wrong direction. Frozen valve in anchor balloon.

Attempt no: 8

Crew:

Richard Abruzzo, David Melton, Vladimir Dzhanibekov

.

Balloon:

AA15 Raven. Gas Balloon with Anchor Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 150 m3 helium and 550 000 / 15 575 m3 cold air.

Flight no: 5

.

200 miles --- 322 km

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:2, 94:3

1994 Dec

.

"Earthwinds Hilton" tries again Oct 94-Feb 95 from Reno. Crew changed.

.

Crew:

Dave Melton, Kerry Bartlett

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:6

12/31/94

 .

"Earthwinds Hilton". 5th attempt. From Reno. Anchor balloon bursts at 32 000 ft after 70 miles. Newman considers Rozière balloon. Contacts UK manufacturers.

Attempt no: 9

Crew:

Dave Melton, George Saad

.

Balloon:

AA15 Raven. Gas Balloon with Anchor Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 150 m3 helium and 550 000 / 15 575 m3 cold air.

Flight no: 6

Distance:

70 miles --- 113 km

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:1

1990

07 - Henk Brink

"Columbus". Plans 12 days at 36 000 feet - (Holland)

.

.

Will be ready to fly from Netherlands from September 1, 1992

.

Crew:

Willem Hageman

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon Cameron, 800 000 cuft/22 653 m3 helium

.

Information source:

Aerostat 92:1

1991

 .

"Columbus". Project presentation. Announced 1991. Planned to fly winter 1992

.

Crew:

Willem Hageman

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon. Cameron envelope, RDM capsule, Lindstrand burner. 800 000 cuft/22 653 m3 helium

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1992

 .

"Folicard 700". Project start Nov 1990. Ex "Holland Flyer" & , "Columbus"

.

Crew:

Willem Hageman plus one to be announced later

.

Balloon:

AM14 Rozière Balloon. Fokker, Lindstrand, Cameron, RDM. 700 000 u ft/19 822 m3.

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:5

1994

 .

"Folicard 700". Will be ready early 1995.

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:6

1995 Feb

 .

Postpones launch. Third pilot announced

.

Crew:

Willem Hageman, Wout Bakker

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:1

1995 Oct

.

Henk Brink ready. Test inflates at Cape Kennedy Vehicle Assembly Building.

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:5

1995 Dec

.

"Unicef Flyer". Update.

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon . Fokker, Lindstrand, Cameron, RDM 750 000 cu ft/21 238 m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:6

1996 Feb

 .

Update. Quarrels with crew. Fokker problems.

.

Crew:

Willem Hageman

.

Information source:

Aerostat 96:1

1996 Oct

.

"Unicef Flyer". Update. Henk Brink no longer pilot at sponsors request

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon Fokker, Lindstrand, Cameron, RDM 750 000 cu ft/21 238 m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 96:5

1990 June

08 - Per Lindstrand

"Global Orbiter". Project presentation. Proposals 1990 for a "Global Flyer" - (SWE/ UK)

.

.

Seeking sponsorship. Denies rumours that sponsor is selected.

.

Crew:

Not selected

.

Balloon:

AX15 Hot Air Balloon, Lindstrand 3 600 000 cu ft/101 941 m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1995 April

.

Branson joins Per Lindstrand

.

Crew:

Richard Branson

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:2

1995 June

.

"Virgin" is the sponsor.

.

Crew:

Richard Branson

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon. Lindstrand 750 000 cu ft/ 21 238 m3 helium

.

Information source

Aerostat 95:3

1995 Aug

.

"Virgin Global Challenger". Update

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:3

1995 Oct

.

"Virgin Global Challenger". Update. Gondola mockup, overflying of Russia.

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:5

1995 Dec

.

Update. Gondola mock-up. Third pilot announced. Ambassador briefing.

.

Crew:

Richard Branson, Rory McCarthy

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:6

1996 Feb

.

"Virgin Global Challenger". Standby in Marrakech. Postponed due to weather.

Attempt no 11

Crew:

Richard Branson, Rory McCarthy

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon, Lindstrand 750 000 cu ft/21 238 m3 helium

.

Information source:

Aerostat 96:1

1996 April

.

"Virgin Global Challenger". About transportation to and waiting in Marrakech

Attempt no 11

Information source:

Aerostat 96:2

1996 Oct

.

"Virgin Global Challenger". Preparation for launch in December. New envelope

.

Balloon

AM15 Rozière Balloon Lindstrand 1 000 000cu ft/28 317m3 helium

.

Information source:

Aerostat 96:5

1997 Jan

.

"Virgin Global Challenger". Forgot safety catches on fuel couplings. Aborted flight

Attempt no: 13

Crew:

Richard Branson, Alex Ritchie

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon Lindstrand

Flight no: 9

Distance/Duration:

Unknown distance 20.00

.

Information source:

Aerostat 97:1

1997 Dec 9

.

"Virgin Global Challenger". Envelope escapes during inflation. Back again end of Jan

Attempt no: 15

Crew:

Richard Branson, Alex Ritchie

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon Lindstrand

1998 Feb

.

"Virgin Global Challenger". New envelope. On standby. Weather system never ok

Attempt no: 20

Crew:

Richard Branson

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon Lindstrand

1994

09 - Troy Bradley

"Odyssey". Project presentation and story. - (USA)

.

 .

Announced April 1994. Target launch date, summer 1995.

.

Crew:

Bob Martin, Mark Sullivan

.

Balloon:

AA15. Gas Balloon, Raven "Odyssey". 29,000.000 cu ft/ 821 189 m3 or bigger

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1995 Oct

10 - Steve Fossett

Steve Fossett delays. Orders new envelope - (USA)

.

Crew:

Solo

.

Balloon:

AM11 Rozière Balloon, Cameron R-200. 200 000 cu ft/ 5 663 m3 helium

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:5

1/10/96

.

"Solo Challenger". Attempt fails due to envelope failure and electrical problems.

Attempt no: 10

.

Unfavourable flight direction.

.

.

Stratobowl, Rapid City, South Dakota 8/1 to near Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick

.

Crew:

Solo

.

Balloon:

AM11 Rozière Balloon, Cameron R-200. 200 000 cu ft / 5 663 m3 helium

Flight no: 7

Distance/Duration:

1 819 miles --- 2 927 km --- 51 hours 13 minutes

.

Information source:

Ballooning March 1996, Aerostat 96:1

1996 Oct

.

"Solo Challenger". Set to try again. New envelope. Unofficial altitude records

.

Balloon:

AM11 Rozière Balloon. Cameron R-210. 210 000 cu ft / 5 947 m3 helium

.

Information source:

Aerostat 96:5

1997 Jan 14-20

.

"Solo Spirit". St Louis, USA to Varanasi, India. First to cross Atlantic twice.

Attempt no: 12

.

Absolute distance/duration records

.

Crew:

Solo

.

Balloon:

AM11 Rozière Balloon Cameron R-210. Solo Challenger.

Flight no: 8

Distance/Duration:

10 363 miles --- 16 678 km --- 146 hours 44 minutes

.

Information source:

FAI Record file

1997 Dec 31 - 1998 Jan 5

.

"Solo Spirit". Fastest Atlantic crossing. First to cross Atlantic three times.

Attempt no: 16

Crew:

Solo

.

Balloon:

AM11 Rozière Balloon Cameron R-210. Solo Challenger.

Flight no: 11

Distance/Duration:

7 300 miles --- 11 748 km --- 108 hours 23 minutes

.

Information source:

Internet

1998 Aug 7 - 16

.

"Solo Spirit 3". First crossing of South Atlantic. Absolute distance record. Mendoza, Argentine to Chesterfield Reef, Coral Sea

Attempt no: 21

 .

Solo

.

Balloon:

AM14 Rozière Balloon Cameron R-600. 600 000 cu ft / 16 990 m3

Flight no: 15

Distance/ Duration:

14 236 miles --- 22 910 km --- 205 hours 59minutes --- 9 358m

.

Information source:

FAI Record File

2001 Aug 17

.

"Solo Spirit 3". First South Pacific crossing. AM14 duration record. Northam, West Australia 4 August to Bagé, Brazil 17 August.

Attempt no: 27

 .

Solo

.

Balloon:

AM14 Rozière Balloon Cameron R-550. N277SF. 18 429 m3 / 651 000 cu ft

Flight no: 20

Distance/ Duration:

11 968 miles --- 19 260 km --- 300 hours 57minutes --- 9 358m

Information source:

FAI Record File

2002 July 3

.

"Bud Light Spirit of Freedom". Second successful RTW flight, first solo RTW flight. AM14 distance and duration record, Absolute Round the World record. Northam, West Australia June 19 to the Blue Hills, Queensland, Australia

Attempt no: 28

 .

Solo

.

Balloon:

AM14 Rozière Balloon Cameron R-600. 600 000 cu ft / 16 990 m3

Flight no: 21

Distance/ Duration:

about 20 521 miles --- about 33 025 km --- about 350 hours --- RTW record: about 320 hours

.

Information source:

FAI Record File

1994 June

11 - Dick Rutan

"Aeolus 1". Project presentation. - (USA)

.

.

Announced plans 1994. Has worked on the project several years.

.

Crew:

Solo

.

Balloon:

AM11 Rozière Balloon. Cameron 250 000 cu ft / 7 079 m3. Rutan spherical capsule.

.

Information source:

Aerostat 94:3

1998 Jan

.

"Global Hilton". Envelope split during climb. Crew parachuted

Attempt no: 18

Crew:

Dave Melton

.

Balloon:

AM-11 Rozière Balloon. 7 000 m3. Cameron envelope. Rutan spherical capsule.

Flight no: 13

Distance/Duration:

Unknown

.

Information source:

Aerostat 98:2

1998 Dec

.

"World Quest". Old team, new sponsor, new balloon

.

Crew:

Dave Melton

.

Balloon:

AS Superpressure balloons Cluster of 4 helium balloons

.

Information source:

Aerostat 98:6

1995 June

12 - Bertrand Piccard

Announces plans 1995 - (Switzerland)

.

Crew:

Wim Verstraeten

.

Balloon

AM Rozière Balloon Cameron

.

Information source:

Aerostat 95:3

1996 Feb

.

"Breitling" sponsors the project

.

Information source:

Aerostat 96:1

1996 April

.

"Breitling Orbiter". Project presentation. Gondola and systems description

.

Balloon:

AM-13 Rozière Balloon. Cameron 450 000 cu ft / 12 743 m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 96:2

1996 Oct

.

"Breitling Orbiter". Envelope completed, Olympic patronage, envelope described

.

Crew:

Wim Verstraeten

.

Balloon:

AM Rozière Balloon Cameron envelope, Elson/Noble gondola.

.

Information source:

Aerostat 96:5

1997 Jan

.

"Breitling Olympic Orbiter". Landed Mediterranean after gasoline leak

Attempt no: 14

Crew:

Wim Verstraeten

.

Balloon:

AM Rozière Balloon Cameron

Flight no: 10

Distance/Duration:

Unknown distance 6.00 hours

.

Information source:

Aerostat 97:1

1998 Jan

.

"Breitling Orbiter 2". Chateau d'Oeux-Sitkwin Minhla, Myanmar

Attempt no: 19

Crew:

Andy Elson, Wim Verstraeten

.

Balloon:

AM14 Rozière, Cameron R500, 629 710 cu ft / 17 831m3

Flight no: 14

Distance/Duration

5 266 miles --- 8 475 km --- 233 hours, 55 min

.

Information source:

Record File

1998 Dec

.

"Breitling Orbiter 3". Chateau d'Oeux

.

Crew:

Brian Jones (UK)

.

Balloon:

AM14 Rozière Balloon, Cameron R650, 650 000 cu ft, 18 406 m3e

.

Information source:

Aerostat 98:6

1999 March

.

"Breitling Orbiter 3" - Chateau d'Oex to Dakhla, Egypt. First successful Around the World flight. Absolute distance, duration and Around the World records

Attempt 25

Crew:

Brian Jones (UK)

.

Balloon:

AM14 Rozière Balloon, Cameron R650, 831 449 cu ft, 23 544 m3

.

Information source:

Record file

Flight no 18

Distance/Duration

25 361miles --- 40 814km --- 477 hours 47 min

1997 Dec

13 - Kevin Uliassi

"J.Renee". The balloon gas cellburst at the ceiling (21,000 ft). Emergency landing - (USA)

Attempt no: 17

Crew:

Solo

Flight no: 12

Balloon:

AM Rozière Balloon, Cameron

Distance/Duration

180 miles --- 290 km --- 3 hours

.

Information source:

Aerostat 98:2

1998 Dec

.

"J Renee".

.

Crew:

Solo

.

Balloon:

AM12 Rozière Balloon, Cameron R420. 420 000cu ft / 11 893m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 98:6

2000 Mar 3

.

"J Renee". Rockford, Illinois 22 Feb to Nyaungu, Myanmar 3 March. AM 13-14 duration world record

Attempt no:26

Crew:

Solo

Flight no: 19

Balloon:

AM Rozière Balloon, Uliassi homebuilt "J. Renee", N761JR, 13 727 m3

Distance/Duration

12 710 miles --- 20 455 km --- 243 hours 28 min

Information source:

FAI record file

1998 Dec

14 - John Wallington

"RE/MAX". Plans to fly at 130 000ft / 40 000 m - (Australia)

.

.

99-01-15: Launch postponed to end of 1999 due to weather.

Attempt no. 23

.

Very high altitude helium balloon system. 4 800 m3 at launch

.

Crew:

Bob Martin, Dave Liniger

.

Balloon:

AA15. Gas balloon 39 500 000 cu ft / 1 118 515 m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 98:6

1998 Dec

15 - Jacques Soukup

"Spirit of Peace" - (UK, USA)

.

Crew:

Mark Sullivan, Crispin Williams

.

Balloon:

AM12 Rozière Balloon Cameron R550, 550 000 cu ft / 15 574 m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 98:6

1998 Dec

16 - Andy Elson

"Cable & Wireless". Sponsored by Cable & Wireless. Cameron envelope, Elson gondola - (UK)

.

Crew:

Colin Prescott, James Manclark

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon, Cameron/Elson. 1 077 000 cu ft / 30 497 m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 98:6

1999 Feb 17-

.

"Cable & Wireless". Cameron envelope, Elson gondola (UK)

7-Mar

Attempt no: 24

Crew:

Colin Prescot

.

Balloon:

AM15 Rozière Balloon, Cameron/Elson. 1 061 735 cu ft / 30 065 m3

.

Information source

Record File

Flight no: 17

Distance/Duration

8 953miles --- 14 408km --- 425 hours, 41min

1998 Dec

17 - Per Lindstrand

"ICO Global" - (Sweden, USA, UK)

.

 .

Per Lindstrand, Steve Fossett and Richard Branson join forces

.

Crew:

Steve Fossett, Richard Branson

.

Balloon:

AM15 Lindstrand Rozière Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 149 m3

.

Information source:

Aerostat 98:6

1998 Dec 18-25

.

"ICO Global" Marrakech, Morocco to near Honolulu, Hawaii

Attempt No: 22

.

Launched Marrakech at 09.23 UTC

.

Crew:

Steve Fossett, Richard Branson

Flight no: 16

Balloon:

AM15 Lindstrand Rozière Balloon. 1 100 000 cu ft / 31 149 m3

.

Information source:

ICO home page

.

Distance/Duration

12 404 miles --- 19 962 km --- 178 hours

.

.

1998 Dec

18 - Gerrit Coetzee

"The Global Conqueror" - (South Africa)

.

Crew:

Terry Adams and Bill Harrop or Kevin Robersson

.

Balloon:

AM14 Cameron R650 Rozière Balloon. 656 000 cu ft / 18 572 m3