CIA Notable flights and performances: Part 07, 1951-1975
Date 1953-xx-xx Pilot: Edward Yost USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Early modern hot air balloon

Early modern hot air balloon


Aerostat: Homebuilt Hot Air Balloon Volume: 764.555
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning (Wirth) Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1956-04-15 Pilot: James A. Contos USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Early modern hot air balloon.

Propane burner


Aerostat: Raven Hot Air Balloon Volume: 1076.04
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 26
min Altitude: 150
meter

Source: Ballooning 1782-1972 Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1956-05-xx Pilot: SWE

Copilot: Passengers:

Logging by balloon tested in Sweden

Old WW II barrage balloons used

Found uneconomical in Sweden. Terrain more suitable for road transport

Aerostat: British Barrage balloon. hydrogen Gas Balloon Volume: 500
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Swed Forest Res Inst. Aerospace Balloons Updated: 2000-02-08
Date 1956-08-10 Pilot: Malcolm D. Ross USA

Copilot: M. Lee Lewis Passengers:

Stratosphere flight.

Open Basket


Aerostat: ONR "Strato-Lab" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 12192
meter

Source: National Geographic. Feb 1957 Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1956-09-24 Pilot: H. Froelich USA

Copilot: K. Long Passengers:

Stratosphere flight.

Open Basket


Aerostat: ONR "Strato-Lab" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 12801.6
meter

Source: The Eagle Aloft Updated: 1998-06-06
Date 1956-11-08 Pilot: Malcolm D. Ross USA

Copilot: M. Lee Lewis Passengers:

First flight over 23 000 meters.

Unofficial Absolute World Record


Aerostat: ONR "Strato-Lab I" Gas Balloon Volume: 56633.7
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 23164.8
meter

Source: NG Feb 1957. Aerospace Balloons Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1957-03-15 Pilot: Jack R. Hunt. Cmdr USA

Copilot: US Navy Passengers:

Longest recorded airship flight.

South Weymouth. Mass. March 4th - Portugal - Africa - Key West. Florida March 15th.

Distance is the total ground distance covered

Aerostat: Goodyear ZPG-2 "Snowbird". Helium Airship ("Blimp"). Volume: 27608.9
m3

Distance 15200
km 9444.8
Miles Duration: 264 h 14
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Payne. Beaubois Updated: 1996-04-15
Date 1957-06-02 Pilot: Joseph W. Kittinger 1928- USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Research on human reaction to high altitude flight

Bailout and escape research


Aerostat: "Manhigh I" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 7 h 0
min Altitude: 29300
meter

Source: The Eagle Aloft. Aerospace Balloons. Ballooning 1782-1972 Updated: 1998-06-06
Date 1957-08-20 Pilot: David G. Simons USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Research on human reaction to high altitude flight.

Crosby. Minnesota to Elm Lake. S. Dakota


Aerostat: "Manhigh II" Gas Balloon Volume: 85007.2
m3

Distance 0
km 32
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: The Eagle Aloft. Aerospace Balloons. Ballooning 1782-1972. UH95 Updated: 1999-04-20
Date 1957-10-18 Pilot: Malcolm D. Ross USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Unofficial two-man altitude record



Aerostat: "Stratolab II" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 10 h 0
min Altitude: 26121.4
meter

Source: The Eagle Aloft. Aerospace Balloons. Ballooning 1782-1972 Updated: 1998-06-06
Date 1958-07-27 Pilot: Malcolm D. Ross USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Unofficial stratosphere duration record



Aerostat: "Stratolab III" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 34 h 30
min Altitude: 24993.6
meter

Source: The Eagle Aloft. Aerospace Balloons. Ballooning 1782-1972 Updated: 1998-06-06
Date 1958-10-08 Pilot: Clifton McClure USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Research on human reaction to high altitude flight

Pilot severely dehydrated due temperature above 70


Aerostat: "Manhigh III" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 12 h 0
min Altitude: 30175.2
meter

Source: The Eagle Aloft. Aerospace Balloons. Ballooning 1782-1972 Updated: 1998-06-06
Date 1958-12-12 Pilot: Arnold Eiloart GBR

Copilot: Tim Eiloart. Colin Mudie. Rosmary Mudie Passengers:

Atlantic attempt. First East-west.

Tenerife - 2400 km east of Caribbean islands

Arrived Barbados by balloon gondola

Aerostat: "Small World". Hydrogen Gas Balloon Volume: 1500
m3

Distance 0
km 1199.3
Miles Duration: 94 h 30
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: NG July 59. Ballooning 78:5 p34.The Eagle Aloft Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1959-11-16 Pilot: Joseph W. Kittinger 1928- USA

Copilot: Passengers:

High altitude parachute jump.

White Sands. New Mexico.

Kittinger lost consciousness due to rotation

Aerostat: "Excelsior I" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 23286.7
meter

Source: NG Dec 1960. Aerospace Balloons Updated: 1996-12-09
Date 1959-11-28 Pilot: Malcolm D. Ross USA

Copilot: Charles B. Moore Passengers:

Observation of Venus with telescope and spectrograph



Aerostat: "Stratolab IV" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 28 h 15
min Altitude: 24688.8
meter

Source: The Eagle Aloft. Aerospace Balloons. Ballooning 1782-1972 Updated: 1996-12-09
Date 1959-12-11 Pilot: Joseph W. Kittinger 1928- USA

Copilot: Passengers:

High altitude parachute jump.



Aerostat: "Excelsior II" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 22770
meter

Source: NG Dec 1960. Aerospace Balloons Updated: 1996-12-09
Date 1960-08-16 Pilot: Joseph W. Kittinger 1928- USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Highest known successful parachute jump.

4m 38s free fall (13m 45s total). max descent speed 990 km/h


Aerostat: "Excelsior III" Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 31333.4
meter

Source: The Eagle Aloft. NG Dec 1960 Updated: 1998-07-31
Date 1960-10-22 Pilot: Edward Yost USA

Copilot: Passengers:

First modern Hot air Balloon prototype

Bruning. Nebraska


Aerostat: Raven Mark 1. Vulcoon Hot Air Balloon Volume: 850
m3

Distance 5
km 3.1
Miles Duration: 0 h 25
min Altitude: 150
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:2 p 5. Aerostat 90:1. Ballooning (Wirth). Ballooning 1782-1972. Yost Biography Updated: 2003-03-24
Date 1961-05-04 Pilot: Malcolm D. Ross USA

Copilot: Victor A. Prather Passengers:

Absolute World Altitude record.

Launch from aircraft carrier U.S.S Antietam. Gulf of Mexico

V A Prather drowned shortly after landing.

Aerostat: "Strato-Lab V" Gas Balloon Volume: 283168
m3

Distance 225
km 139.8
Miles Duration: 9 h 54
min Altitude: 34668
meter

Source: The Eagle Aloft. NG Nov 1961 Updated: 1996-10-24
Date 1962-08-xx Pilot: SUI

Copilot: Passengers:

First International High Alpine Ballooning Week

Initiated by Mürren tourist office. Switzerland

Fed Dolder. Erwin A Sautter. 6 balloons

Aerostat: Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: BF 20:6 Updated: 2000-02-08
Date 1963-03-25 Pilot: Edward Yost USA

Copilot: Don Piccard Passengers:

First crossing of English Channel by Hot Air Balloon.

Rye. England to Dunquerque. France


Aerostat: Raven "Channel Champ" Hot Air Balloon Volume: 1699.01
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 3 h 17
min Altitude: 4000
meter

Source: Ballooning (Wirth) Updated: 1999-04-20
Date 1966-02-02 Pilot: Nicholas Piantanida -1966 USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Altitude flight.

Oxygen problem. Gondola descended by parachute

Pilot unable to connect parachute oxygen cylinder

Aerostat: Raven Gas Balloon Volume: 141584
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 37642.8
meter

Source: Ballooning 1782-1972. Aerospace Balloons Updated: 1998-07-31
Date 1966-05-01 Pilot: Nicholas Piantanida -1966 USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Altitude flight.

Pilot parachutes. looses oxygen at 17000m. Dies from hypoxia

Highest known manned ascent

Aerostat: Raven Gas Balloon Volume: 141584
m3

Distance 0
km 38100
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 1782-1972 Updated: 1998-07-31
Date 1966-08-20 Pilot: Veikko Kaseva -1978 FIN

Copilot: Passengers:

First modern European Hot Air Balloon



Aerostat: Homebuilt. OH-XVK Hot Air Balloon Volume: 1600
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Veikko Kaseva Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1966-08-29 Pilot: J.C. Turner GBR

Copilot: Passengers:

First modern British built HAB makes free flight. almost intentional



Aerostat: Smithills Tech. School "Smithill". G-ATLU Hot Air Balloon Volume: 1812.28
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 2
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: The First Five Years Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1967-07-09 Pilot: Gerry Turnbull GBR

Copilot: Passengers:

First controlled free flight by modern British built HAB



Aerostat: Hot Air Group "Bristol Belle". G-AVTL Hot Air Balloon Volume: 1840.59
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: The First Five Years Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1968-01-02 Pilot: Unmanned USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Unmanned balloon GHOST 70201K landed

Made 32 earth orbits in 351 days


Aerostat: Superpressure Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 1782-1972 Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1968-08-10 Pilot: Mark Winters USA

Copilot: Jerry Kostur Passengers:

Atlantic attempt.

Halifax to 56 km southeast Halifax


Aerostat: "Maple Leaf". Helium. Gas Balloon Volume: 991.09
m3

Distance 113
km 70.2
Miles Duration: 20 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:5 p34. The Eagle Aloft Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1968-08-19 Pilot: Per Arne Terrs Lundahl SWE

Copilot: Passengers:

First free flight with Hot Air Balloon in Sweden

Drev to Bergkvara


Aerostat: Piccard AX6. "Emilie". SE-ZZA Hot Air Balloon Volume: 1585.74
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Boyant Flight Updated: 2002-01-30
Date 1969-09-28 Pilot: Atsuo Tanaka JPN

Copilot: Erio Umesao Passengers:

First Hot Air Balloon free flight in Japan

Near lake Toya. Hokkaido. Japan


Aerostat: Homebuilt "Icarus no 5". JAA-001 Hot Air Balloon Volume: 2070
m3

Distance 12
km 7.5
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Sabu Ichiyoshi 2002-01-26 Updated: 2002-01-30
Date 1970-09-20 Pilot: Malcolm Brighton 1938-1970 GBR

Copilot: Rodney Anderson. Pamela Anderson Passengers:

Atlantic attempt.

East Hampton to East of Newfoundland. Crew and balloon never found

Distance not verified. 2250 claimed

Aerostat: Brighton. "Free Life". Helium. Rozière Balloon Volume: 2067.13
m3

Distance 2000
km 1242.7
Miles Duration: 30 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:5 p34. The Eagle Aloft Updated: 1999-08-14
Date 1970-11-29 Pilot: Terence A. Adams GBR

Copilot: Lt H.S. Draper Passengers:

First manned balloon over Malta.

First British Hot Air Balloon flight at sea

Take off from Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal

Aerostat: Hot Air Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: BF 18:3 Updated: 1999-08-15
Date 1972-08-20 Pilot: Donald A. Cameron 1939- GBR

Copilot: Mark Yarry Passengers:

First flight over the Alps in Hot Air Balloon

From Zermatt. Switzerland to Biella. Italy over Mt. Rosa


Aerostat: Cameron A140. "Cumulo Nimbus". Hot Air Balloon Volume: 3964
m3

Distance 36
km 0
Miles Duration: 5425 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: BF 20:1. Aerostat 72/5 Updated: 2002-03-12
Date 1972-10-27 Pilot: Unmanned USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Highest altitude attained by unmanned balloon. Chico. California

Largest balloon built


Aerostat: Winzen Gas Balloon Volume: 1.35355e+06
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 51816
meter

Source: BF 20:4. Guiness Updated: 2000-01-23
Date Unknown Pilot: Unmanned USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Largest unmanned balloon. Unknown date



Aerostat: Winzen Gas Balloon Volume: 2.002e+06
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Aerospace Balloons.Guiness Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1973-01-04 Pilot: Donald A. Cameron 1939- GBR

Copilot: Passengers:

First successful flight of a Hot Air Airship. Bristol.

Bristol.


Aerostat: Cameron D96. Hot Air Airship Volume: 2718.42
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Aerostat Feb 1973. BF 20:4 Updated: 2000-02-05
Date 1973-01-07 Pilot: Donald A. Cameron 1939- GBR

Copilot: Passengers:

First public demonstration of a Hot Air Airship. Newbury.

Newbury.


Aerostat: Cameron D96. Hot Air Airship Volume: 2718.42
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Aerostat Feb 1973. BF 20:4 Updated: 2000-02-05
Date 1973-02-17 Pilot: Dennis Floden USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Winner of the First World Hot Air Balloon Championships

Albuquerque. New Mexico. USA. Feb 10-17. 1973

32 participants

Aerostat: Hot Air Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: BF 20:4 Updated: 2000-01-23
Date 1973-03-14 Pilot: Unmanned USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Test with logging balloons to load/offload ships

Balloon Trans-Air conducts test for Department of Defence

20 000 lb / 9 000 kg lifted 1 500 ft. Culp Creek. Oregon

Aerostat: Raven. Helium Gas Balloon Volume: 15007.9
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: BF 20:5 Updated: 2000-02-08
Date 1973-05-01 Pilot: Tracy Barnes USA

Copilot: Passengers:

First flight on pure solar heat



Aerostat: Barnes. "Solar Firefly". Tetrahedron. Solar Balloon Volume: 5748.32
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:2 p 5 Updated: 1996-04-15
Date 1973-06-18 Pilot: Björn Hansen NOR

Copilot: Passengers:

First Hot Air Balloon flight at Spitsbergen

Longyearbyen. tethered flights

Raising funds for volcano victims. Iceland

Aerostat: Cameron O-84. SE-ZZT. "Andrea" Hot Air Balloon Volume: 2379
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Log book Updated: 2004-03-29
Date 1973-08-07 Pilot: Bob Sparks USA

Copilot: Solo flight Passengers:

Atlantic attempt.

Bar Harbor to 70 km Northeast St John's


Aerostat: "Yankee Zephyr". Helium. Rozière Balloon Volume: 2067.13
m3

Distance 1350
km 838.9
Miles Duration: 23 h 30
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:5 p34.The Eagle Aloft. BF 20:6 Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1973-10-30 Pilot: Jan Balkedal 1945- SWE

Copilot: Roland Moberg Passengers:

First Hot Air Balloon flight in Turkey

Flight over Bosporus bridge in Istanbul

Takeoff 10.45 on Asian side. crossed the bridge and landed on Asian side

Aerostat: Cameron O-84. "Gabriella". SE-ZZX Hot Air Balloon Volume: 2380
m3

Distance 3
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 30
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Log book Updated: 2002-03-14
Date 1974-01-01 Pilot: Dominic Michaelis GBR

Copilot: Passengers:

First European solar powered balloon

Double envelope


Aerostat: Cameron Solar Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:2 p 5 Updated: 1996-04-15
Date 1974-01-02 Pilot: Dan Anderson SWE

Copilot: John Grubbström. Mikael Klingberg Passengers:

First Hot Air Balloon flight in Ethiopia

About 50 km north of Addis Ababa. Buthane fuel

3 training flights before flight from Imperial Palace in Addis Ababa 7 Jan

Aerostat: Cameron O-84. "Ruth". SE-ZZZ Hot Air Balloon Volume: 2380
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Log Book. Club Newsletter Updated: 2002-03-13
Date 1974-02-18 Pilot: Tom Gatch -1974 USA

Copilot: Solo flight Passengers:

Atlantic attempt.

Harrisburg to unknown landing. Never found.

Distance not verified. 2250 claimed

Aerostat: "Light Heart". Helium Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 2000
km 1242.7
Miles Duration: 18 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:5 p34. The Eagle Aloft Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1974-03-07 Pilot: Matt A. Wiederkehr USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Distance record



Aerostat: Raven S-55 A Hot Air Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 542.7
km 337.2
Miles Duration: 16 h 16
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: World Records Updated: 2000-11-19
Date 1974-03-09 Pilot: Jan Fröjdman FIN

Copilot: Passengers:

Manned paper balloon flown. Kerosene burner

Another Finnish pilot later flew with up to 7 passengers in other paper balloons


Aerostat: Homebuilt Hot Air Balloon Volume: 750
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Letter from Fröjdman Updated: 2002-03-12
Date 1974-04-20 Pilot: Josef Starkbaum 1934- AUT

Copilot: Passengers:

First crossing of the Alps in a Hot Air Balloon

Salzburg. Austria to Tenetise. Yugoslavia

First complete crossing of the Alps

Aerostat: Cameron O-77 "Poferl". G-BAMA Hot Air Balloon Volume: 2180.4
m3

Distance 200
km 124.3
Miles Duration: 6 h 7
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Log book. Newspapers Updated: 2000-02-05
Date 1974-08-06 Pilot: Bob Berger -1974 USA

Copilot: Solo flight Passengers:

Atlantic attempt.

Lakehurst to Barnegat Bay


Aerostat: "Spirit of Man". Helium Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 20
km 12.4
Miles Duration: 1 h 0
min Altitude: 3962.4
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:5 p34. The Eagle Aloft Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1975-01-06 Pilot: Malcolm Forbes 1920-1990 USA

Copilot: Tom Heinsheimer Passengers:

Atlantic attempt.

Santa Ana. California. Aborted


Aerostat: "Windborne". Helium Gas Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:5 p34. The Eagle Aloft Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1975-04-20 Pilot: Sten-Åke Björnstedt 1940- SWE

Copilot: Jussi Brodd. priest Passengers:

First baptism in Hot Air Balloon



Aerostat: Cameron O-84 Hot Air Balloon Volume: 2378.62
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 10
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Newspaper Updated: 1998-06-06
Date 1975-08-21 Pilot: Bob Sparks USA

Copilot: Solo flight Passengers:

Atlantic attempt.

Cape Cod to 200 km South of Cape Cod


Aerostat: "Odyssey". Helium. Rozière Balloon Volume: 2831.68
m3

Distance 200
km 124.3
Miles Duration: 18 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Ballooning 78:5 p34. The Eagle Aloft Updated: 1998-06-04
Date 1975-09-27 Pilot: Kingswood Sprott JR USA

Copilot: Passengers:

Altitude World record



Aerostat: Raven S-60A Hot Air Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 11823
meter

Source: FAI records Updated: 2004-03-23
Date 1975-10-12 Pilot: David Schaffer USA

Copilot: Passengers:

2nd World Hot Air Balloon Championship. 1st place

Albuquerque. New Mexico. USA


Aerostat: Hot Air Balloon Volume: 0
m3

Distance 0
km 0
Miles Duration: 0 h 0
min Altitude: 0
meter

Source: Result list Updated: 2002-03-12

© CIA, Hans Åkerstedt
2010-09-10