Man crosses Carolina skies in cluster-balloon chair
North Carolina pilot Jonathan Trappe flew across the sky Saturday attached to a specialized cluster-balloon chair.
Posted — UpdatedThe cluster balloon was launched Saturday afternoon from the Wings of Carolina Flying Club in Sanford.
By 9 p.m., Trappe was flying over Pittsboro, and by 6:15 a.m. Sunday, he was northwest of Goldsboro. At one point, he reached a height of 7,000 feet.
Trappe’s helium balloon flights are conducted in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
His in-flight safety equipment includes two-way aircraft radios, altitude encoding transponder, aviator’s breathing oxygen, pilot parachute, GPS and an emergency locator beacon.
Organizers said Trappe landed shortly after 7 a.m. Sunday in Fremont.
Trappe is planning to fly over the English Channel in late May or early June, organizers said.
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