26 November 2005
Indian industrialist Dr. Vijaypat Singhania is claiming a new world record for the highest flight in a hot air balloon after reaching 69,852ft in just over two hours north-east of Mumbai (Bombay) on November 26. The previous world record for ‘High Altitude in a Hot Air Balloon’ was set by Per Lindstrand from Oswestry in Shropshire who reached a height of 64,997 feet in Plano, Texas on June 6, 1988.
Bristol-based Cameron Balloons made the envelope while Andy Elson and Colin Prescott built the balloon’s capsule at their base in Glastonbury, Somerset. The pair attempted to break the balloon altitude world record in a helium-filled balloon in 2004 but they failed when an eight-metre tear appeared in the fabric as it was being inflated.
The biggest obstacle was the burners. Andy Elson claims no one has ever got burners to work past 60,000ft and the extra 10,000ft was a real technical challenge. A pressurised aluminium capsule featuring 18 burners was slung under the specially designed multi-coloured balloon nearly 160 feet high.
