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The unique gondola will have an open roof for take-off but a canopy to protect its pilot from high-altitude winds and frostbite during the crossing.

If something goes wrong, Mr Trappe will change out of his UV protection suit into a cold water suit, pop enough balloons to bring the gondola close to the water, and attempt to land in the ocean.

Mr Trappe will float at between 18,000ft and 25,000ft, beating his previous world altitude record of 21,600ft. Previously the furthest distance he had flown uninterrupted was a world record 230 miles. To achieve the crossing, he must fly ten times that.

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British tax dollars will be hard at work on the rescue operation saving him from himself if he really goes through with it.

alchemist19 on November 8, 2012 at 7:07 PM

The Atlantic crossing has presented a challenge to balloonists for decades. Five others have died attempting it, and none have achieved the crossing attached to cluster balloons.

Reminds me of Chicago’s own late, great zillionaire Balloonatic Mr. Whatsizname, whose bleached bones were finally located in the Nevada desert 3-4 years after he vanished…

Ladysmith CulchaVulcha on November 8, 2012 at 7:14 PM

When he does it in a lawn chair, call me.

roy_batty on November 8, 2012 at 7:17 PM

Not the largest ocean?

Let me know when he’s ready to take this seriously.

Scribbler on November 8, 2012 at 7:49 PM

Wow. Appropriately sponsored by this blogsite, I suppose.

platypus on November 8, 2012 at 7:50 PM

He wanted to make the attempt “so one day we can look back and say: ‘Humankind were able to pull this off. They did it.’”

Is that an Obama quote from 11/5/12?

/s

Good on him & good luck!

Ugly on November 8, 2012 at 8:08 PM

Wow I screwed that up.

Ugly on November 8, 2012 at 8:09 PM

Reminds me of Chicago’s own late, great zillionaire Balloonatic Mr. Whatsizname, whose bleached bones were finally located in the Nevada desert 3-4 years after he vanished…

Ladysmith CulchaVulcha on November 8, 2012 at 7:14 PM

Remember too that priest from Brazil who blew out to sea with a whole bunch of balloons tied to his folding chair or something…and went missing for some time until the body was found somewhere bobbing in the ocean.

Nothing good seems to ever come from these balloon trips.

JetBoy on November 8, 2012 at 8:17 PM

Reminds me of Chicago’s own late, great zillionaire Balloonatic Mr. Whatsizname, whose bleached bones were finally located in the Nevada desert 3-4 years after he vanished…

Ladysmith CulchaVulcha on November 8, 2012 at 7:14 PM

Steve Fossett

tbarleycorn on November 8, 2012 at 8:49 PM

Remember too that priest from Brazil who blew out to sea with a whole bunch of balloons tied to his folding chair or something…and went missing for some time until the body was found somewhere bobbing in the ocean.

Nothing good seems to ever come from these balloon trips.

JetBoy on November 8, 2012 at 8:17 PM

Whoa. Totally missed that story!