Torabhaig Atlantic Explorer Diary 2025
LIVE UPDATES, NEWS AND PROGRESS REPORTS FROM FLIGHT CONTROL
29-04-2025: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SAND AND HYDROGEN IN PRESQUE ISLE...
A busy day for the team in Presque Isle. After collecting the sand ballast yesterday the next job was to fill the bags. Pictured below are Joanie, Bert & Jason busy preparing and filling the bags with not only sand but a little road salt which help prevent the ballast from freezing into a solid block when flying at high altitude. The crew will also carry a mallet in the basket which can be used to break up the sand in case the salt does not work. Bags full the team then welcomed the giant hydrogen tube trailer to site.
28-04-2025: ARRIVAL IN PRESQUE ISLE...
The team has now arrived in Presque Isle, Maine after a long drive from Bally, Pennsylvania. On the way, the team passed New York City and ventured along the famous Hudson River Valley in eastern New York state. Now in Presque Isle the jobs have started... balloon equipment unloaded ︎, ballast collected ︎
In the meantime, back in the UK, Kevin continues his work on establishing essential communication links for the flight ahead of the May 1st flight window opening. More soon!
25-04-2025: LOADING TIMES...
Loading the Torabhaig Atlantic Explorer into the trailer ready for it’s long trip to the launchsite in Presque Isle, Maine.
The beginining of a great adventure!
More soon...
18-04-2025: PREPARATIONS CONTINUE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC
Preparations continue on both sides of the Atlantic ahead of the 2025 flight window opening on Thursday 1st May.
In Pennsylvania, we have Bert alongside the Torabhaig Atlantic Explorer basket in his workshop. Bert and the team will begin their long trip to Presque Isle, Maine next Friday!
Meanwhile in the UK, Flight Control Team member Kevin Stass continues his pre-flight work with aviation authorities in North America and Europe.
Happy Easter!
15-04-2025: 2024 LAUNCH PHOTOS
Fantastic photos captured by Paul Cyr of the preparation and launch of the Torabhaig Atlantic Explorer from Presque Isle, Maine last June. Thanks Paul!
03-04-2025: THE 2025 FLIGHT WINDOW
The team are delighted to announce that the 2025 flight window will open on Thursday 1st May. The Torabhaig Atlantic Explorer will once again be piloted by Bert Padelt with co-pilot Sir David Hempleman-Adams and Prof.Frederik Paulsen.Bert and the team will begin their intrepid adventure by road on Friday 25th April from Bally, Pennsylvania and head to the launchsite in Presque Isle, Maine. A journey of over 1,180km. Once established in Presque Isle, the team will begin preparations and along with our meteorologists begin the process of monitoring weather conditions for a launch. Operations in Europe will once again be managed by Flight Control in Bristol, UK.
Photo credit: Paul Cyr
