Atlantic Explorer Diary 2026

LIVE UPDATES, NEWS AND PROGRESS REPORTS FROM FLIGHT CONTROL  




06-06-2026 - CROSSING THE FRENCH COAST

We are very pleased to report that the Atlantic Explorer hydrogen balloon has reached Europe.  The balloon initially crossed into France at 1835 UTC (2:35 PM EDT and 12:35 MDT) just north of Siouville-Hague on the Cherbourg peninsula.  The Atlantic Explorer then again passed over open water paralleling the French coast along the beaches of Normandy.  It is a powerful coincidence and homage that the balloonists made this passage on June 6, the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.

Pilots Bert Padelt, Peter Cuneo, and Alicia Hempleman-Adams still have plenty of work to do to bring the balloon to a safe landing.  They have been slowly descending as the balloon experiences its natural diurnal cooling cycle and the balloon at this writing is at around 7,200 ft MSL (2,196 m).  Because the ground winds are forecast to be relatively high, they may choose to remain aloft through the night and land in calmer winds in the morning.  On completing the flight, they will be the first balloonists in history to accomplish a transoceanic flight in a gas balloon using hydrogen gas as the sole onboard source of lift.

Bert Padelt, a master balloon builder who with his wife Joanie owns and operates a balloon manufacturing and repair business in Pennsylvania, has dreamed of making a transatlantic flight since as a young teenager he was awed by the first successful transatlantic balloon flight, that of the Double Eagle II¸ piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman from Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA).  Double Eagle II landed near Miserey, France, and if the Atlantic Explorer continues its flight far enough, it may pass close to that point. As the Atlantic Explorer crossed into France, Padelt wrote: “Thank you to all of my team!  You were all selected for a reason.  I cannot describe the emotions I am experiencing. I hope you are all proud of making this happen for me.”


Alicia Hempleman-Adams, a British explorer and balloonist, becomes the first woman to successfully complete a transoceanic flight in a straight gas balloon.  In yet another coincidence, the Atlantic Explorer balloon may pass near the landing site of the last gas balloon to cross the North Atlantic.  This balloon was piloted by her father, British explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams, during a solo flight in 2007.


Peter Cuneo, a retired engineer and champion balloonist who lives in Albuquerque, has spent much of his life providing technical support for others exploring innovative, cutting-edge balloon technology.  He and his wife Barbara Fricke are among the top gas balloon distance competitors in the world, but he has never had the opportunity to complete a flight of this magnitude. The pilots are supported by a team of specialists in meteorology, air traffic control, and other fields, as well as the crew that prepared and launched the balloon in the United States and balloon chasers – including many of Europe’s elite gas balloonists --- eager to help with retrieving the pilots and balloon in Europe.  Most of the support team are volunteers who are incredibly proud to have been part of this expedition.






05-06-2026 - ONTO THE OCEAN

Atlantic Explorer continues to make fantastic progress and has now headed out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Just over 20 minutes ago,  Atlantic Explorer has now passed the small fishing town of Bay Bulls in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and is heading east over the ocean at 40 knts.



04-06-2026 - LIFT-OFF

Following several weather delays due to high winds on the launch site, the Atlantic Explorer transatlantic balloon has taken flight and is headed eastward on its flight to Europe.

Through much of the evening of June 3, the balloon was buffeted by high, gusty winds as the team worked to complete the inflation process. During three or four brief periods when the wind died, the team was able to move further down the inflation checklist.  Finally, at 0608UTC pilots Bert Padelt, Peter Cuneo, and Alicia Hempleman-Adams and the crew recited the Balloonist Prayer, a tradition among balloonists to celebrate safe launches and landings.  The team then soared aloft and are now at the desired overnight altitude of 3,000 MSL and making good speed on the first portion of their journey.The pilots and team thank the people of Presque Isle, ME and especially Paul Cyr, who has provided his property and hospitality to the team over the four years of this project.  The inflation team performed heroically in very difficult conditions to get the balloon off the ground.  We thank Pennsylvania balloonist and Facebook influencer Dawn Chase for her help in providing live video and photos on the flight’s Facebook page.




03-06-2026 - A THANK YOU FROM BERT


In recognition of their support and dedication to the project, Bert has asked each team member who assisted with the test inflation and today’s pre-flight setup to sign a panel in the balloon.







03-06-2026 - LAUNCH TIME CONFIRMED

After reviewing the latest batch of forecasts and flight trajectories we are proceeding with a launch at 10 EDT on WEDNESDAY 3rd JUNE.

Please note that from now on the flight control team will be extremely busy and unable to facilitate individual requests. Updates will be posted on here when available.For press enquiries please contact our press room on aeflightcontrol@gmail.com.




02-06-2026 - GREEN LIGHT

In the light of improving forecasts and flight trajectories we have updated the flight status to green for launch!

We are anticipating a launch in the early hours of Friday, June 5 (Iocal time EDT) however this is subject to change.

All attentions now turn to the crew and team members who will be making their way to Presque Isle in anticipation of the launch. 



17-05-2026 - EQUIPMENT TESTING

Bert and the team have been busy making the most of local weather conditions in Bally, Pennsylvania to carry out essential testing of the Starlink comms kit and Kubicek Flymate app. Bert reports that the everything went well and that he was highly impressed by the performance of the new Kubicek Flymate app.

In the meantime, some 3,550 miles east, Atlantic Explorer Co-Pilot Alicia and Flight Control team member Jonathan enjoyed a gentle morning flight over the West Berkshire countryside and town of Newbury just for fun!The project remains on a weather hold for the time being with our meteorologists continuing their work in finding the best weather patterns…



14-05-2026 - WEATHER IMPOROVEMENT

Our project meteorologists report that the overall weather picture is now improving. However, further detailed analysis is now required over the coming days as the search begins for consistency in the weather models. Patience remains key!



11-05-2026 - LATEST WEATHER & FLIGHT CONTROL


The latest from our project meteorologists is that the unsettled/unfavourable weather theme is set to continue for the rest of this week. There are however very tentative signs of a change early into next week however this remains far from certain.

In the meantime, Kevin Stass describes the role and work of the Flight Control team...

The Flight Control (FC) team is responsible for the preliminary navigational planning of the flight, in-flight flight watch, and post-landing coordination.

In the months leading up to launch, the team has been working closely with Transport Canada to obtain approval for operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) within Oceanic airspace. To facilitate this, the Canadian Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), NAV CANADA, in coordination with the UK ANSP, NATS, will establish a sterile air corridor up to 18,000 feet for the duration of the transit through Oceanic airspace. This corridor will be based on the balloon’s forecast trajectory, as determined by the meteorology team approximately 24 hours prior to launch.

The FC team has also coordinated with other ANSPs across the Atlantic region to advise them of the flight and provide ongoing updates to launch and operational plans. Communication with these agencies will continue throughout the mission. In addition, the team has been liaising with regional Search and Rescue (SAR) authorities to prepare contingency arrangements in the unlikely event that a ditching becomes necessary.An Air Traffic Control (ATC) Flight Plan (FPL) will be filed approximately 24 hours before launch, based on the latest forecast trajectory. Given the dynamic nature of balloon flight and its dependence on prevailing winds, revisions to the FPL are expected as the flight progresses.

Throughout the mission, the FC team will maintain continuous contact with the balloon crew. Their responsibilities include tracking the balloon via onboard YellowBrick GPS trackers and monitoring communications between the crew and the meteorology team.





10-05-2026 - PREPARATIONS COMPLETE IN PRESQUE ISLE

For now preparations in Presque Isle are complete. In the light of unsettled weather, Bert and the team have returned home to Pennsylvania and will head back to the launchsite as and when weather conditions improve. In the meantime, Bert would like to pass on the following message of thanks…

Next to team member Sunny Punj supplying the hydrogen and tube trailer, the success of this project falls in the hands of Paul Cyr. People often ask why it has taken my entire life to reach this goal. My answer is simple. It is because I had yet to meet Paul Cyr. Coming away from this project, my greatest reward will be having met Paul and the relationship that we have developed. Thank you Paul!






07-05-2026 - UNSETTLED WEATHER

No good news just yet from our meteorologists, with unsettled weather and unsuitable flight trajectories continuing to dominate the situation for now… “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet” - Aristotle



03-05-2026 - HYDROGEN TUBE TRAILER ARRIVAL

The hydrogen tube trailer has arrived in Presque Isle!A massive thank you to Sunny Punj & Andy Coles of GH2CS for their incredible support and commitment to the project.Now in place at the launchsite, team member Paul Cyr captured an incredible photo of the moon appearing from behind the clouds and our tube trailer manufactured by the team at Cryogenic Trailers.

01-05-26 - FLIGHT WINDOW OPEN

The Atlantic Explorer 2026 flight window is now open!With the flight window now open our meteorologists continue their around the clock work in finding a suitable weather pattern for a safe flight over the ocean to Europe. For now though the wait continues for better weather...




27-04-26 - ARRIVAL AT PRESQUE ISLE

After a long drive, Bert and the team have arrived in Presque Isle and have started the process of unloading the Atlantic Explorer project kit.






20-04-2026 - DA VINCHI SCIENCE CENTER VISIT


On Saturday morning, Atlantic Explorer pilot Bert Padelt & team member John Piper visited the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.Bert & John presented the flight to employees of the Science Centre who had kindly given up their time to assist with the test inflation at the PPL Center next door. A fantastic morning was had by all!

Attentions now turn to the flight with Bert and the team packing the kit ahead of the long journey to the launch site in Presque Isle, Maine. Over the ocean, the flight control team also continue their preparations ahead of the flight window opening on May 1st.





09-04-2026 - PRESSURE TESTING & INFLATION

Pressure testing of the Atlantic Explorer in the PPL Center, Allentown, Pennsylvania home of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. A special thanks go to Jim and Robert Brooks for allowing us to use the PPL Center for the pressure testing and inflation.