Aug 17 2009
The Double Eagle II
On this day in history, August 17, 1978, the Double Eagle II completes the first transatlantic balloon flight when it lands in a barley field near Paris France, 137 hours after taking off from Presque Isle, ME. The flight of the Double Eagle II was the fourteenth attempt to cross the Atlantic by balloon.
The crew, Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman were proud of this achievement, which actually happened on August 16th when they crossed the Irish coast. Larry Newman was supposed to hang glide at this point to the Shannon Airport; however, the hang glider had to be dropped earlier in the day as ballast.
The Double Eagle II was built by Ed Yost, of Tea, South Dakota. The balloon had a capacity of 160,000 cubic feet of helium, stood 112 feet tall, and 65 feet in diameter. The gondola was 15 feet by 7 feet by 4.5 feet and was named the Spirit of Albuquerque. Empty weight was 760 pounds. Takeoff was at 8:47 EDT from Presque Isle, ME and touchdown was 137 hours 6 minutes later at 7:49 PM on August 17, 1978. 3,500 feet was lowest altitude on the flight and 24,900 feet was the highest altitude on August 16th. 3,099 miles was total distance flown.
