Trans-Pacific Balloon Gets 200-M.P.H. Lift
The trans-Pacific hot-air balloon flight of adventurer Richard Branson for a time appeared headed for a ditching near Midway Island, but it caught a new wind late Wednesday. The balloon was sailing along in the jet stream at speeds exceeding 200 m.p.h. and expected to land near Canada’s Vancouver Island early today.
Branson and his pilot, Per Lindstrand, lifted off from Miyakonojo, Japan, and at first planned to land near Los Angeles, more than 6,000 miles away, project spokesman Will Whitehorn said.
Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways and other Virgin companies, and Lindstrand, a balloon designer and pilot, were making their second attempt at crossing the Pacific.
A first try failed in November, 1989, when the balloon tore during inflation.
A complete flight this time would more than double the distance record of 3,075 miles, which they set in crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon in 1987.
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