Atlantic Explorer Diary 2026
LIVE UPDATES, NEWS AND PROGRESS REPORTS FROM FLIGHT CONTROL
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.
