News
Pioneering cross Channel balloonist dies
Posted by editor on May 31, 2007 - 04:49 PM
Filed under: Human interest, News
The man who piloted the first balloon flight across the English Channel has died aged 87.
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Paul "Ed" Yost, who designed and flew the first modern
hot-air balloon in 1960, died Sunday at his home in Taos, New Mexico, from
natural causes.
Yost updated the Montgolfier brothers' concept from the 1700s with modern
technology, designing an onboard propane-burner system and incorporating modern
materials to build a durable envelope with manoeuvring vents and deflation ports
for landing.
In 1963, Yost piloted the first balloon flight across the
English Channel with crewmember Don Piccard, and in 1976 he attempted to cross
the Atlantic Ocean solo. He didn't make it, but he designed and built the Double
Eagle II, which made the first Atlantic crossing two years later. He was the
recipient of many awards and set numerous aviation records.
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