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Explorer makes new record attempt Explorer achieves balloon record
(about 23 hours later)
Explorer David Hempleman-Adams will try to break the world record for endurance in the smallest gas balloon. Explorer David Hempleman-Adams has broken the endurance record for a flight using the smallest man-carrying helium balloon.
Hempleman-Adams, 52, of Box, Wiltshire, who holds 44 aviation records, will use a balloon with a capsule the size of a washing basket for the attempt. Hempleman-Adams, 52, of Box, Wiltshire, set the record over the US riding in a scaled-down basket.
"This is the tiniest balloon basket I've ever flown in," he said."This is the tiniest balloon basket I've ever flown in," he said.
He will fly over maize fields in Kansas in the US. The current record held by American Coy Foster is eight hours and 12 minutes. He flew 200 miles from Butler, Missouri, to Cherokee, Oklahoma, in 14 hours and 15 minutes using the class AA-01 balloon.
It was set when Mr Foster flew over Texas in March 1983. The previous record was an eight hours and 12 minutes flight undertaken by American Coy Foster in March 1983.
Preparations for the attempt have included Mr Hempleman-Adams going on a strict diet in a bid to lose weight and stay in the air for longer. In preparation for the attempt Hempleman-Adams went on a strict diet to lose weight so he could stay in the air longer.
Daring challenge 'Scary times'
Mr Hempleman-Adams said he wanted to set another record as his eldest daughter, Alicia, 19, has recently begun training to be a balloon pilot. Mr Hempleman-Adams said beforehand he wanted to set another record as his eldest daughter, Alicia, 19, had recently begun training to be a balloon pilot.
The explorer went on a strict diet in order to stay in the air for longer
"Alicia has already done better than me in her balloon piloting exams. It won't be very long before she'll be breaking my records. That's kids for you," he said."Alicia has already done better than me in her balloon piloting exams. It won't be very long before she'll be breaking my records. That's kids for you," he said.
After the flight, he said: "Beautiful scenery, some scary times, and a real test of skill."
In 1998 he became the first person reach the geographic and magnetic North and South Poles as well as climbing the highest peaks in the seven continents.In 1998 he became the first person reach the geographic and magnetic North and South Poles as well as climbing the highest peaks in the seven continents.
He has held a number of ballooning records, including staging the highest formal dinner party, at 24,262ft, in a specially-designed hot air balloon in 2005.He has held a number of ballooning records, including staging the highest formal dinner party, at 24,262ft, in a specially-designed hot air balloon in 2005.
In January 2007 he broke the 26-year-old world hot air balloon altitude record, by ascending to 32,500ft over Alberta, Canada.In January 2007 he broke the 26-year-old world hot air balloon altitude record, by ascending to 32,500ft over Alberta, Canada.
Later the same year he flew across the Atlantic in the smallest helium balloon to complete the trip.Later the same year he flew across the Atlantic in the smallest helium balloon to complete the trip.