BOC Gases, a subsidiary of The Linde Group, supplied a cluster balloonist with helium to power his channel crossing.
BOC helium filled 54 cluster balloons which were attached to a chair and transported Jonathan Trappe to his destination in just under five hours.
Trappe flew from Ashford in Kent to northern France. The adventurer completed the 22 mile journey at a speed of 25mph and in doing so established a record for English Channel crossing.
Trappe, a qualified pilot recollected, “It was an exceptional experience – very quiet and very peaceful. With steering very much in the hands of the elements, it was a childhood dream come true… the fulfilment of a wonderful fantasy of grabbing onto toy balloons and floating away into space.”
BOC ordinarily supplies helium gas for party balloons. Group Account Manager, Ian Stewart, commended the achievement, saying, “Whilst it is not something we’d recommend you try at home, the idea really caught our imagination. I am delighted that BOC’s ability to execute resulted in a seamless launch of a new mode of transport and a new record for the iconic Channel crossing challenge.”
... to continue reading you must be subscribed
