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Bristol balloon built for Russian adventurer
Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov is to visit Cameron Balloons in Bedminster to see the hot air balloon he will use for his solo world record attempt of flying around the globe.
Cameron Balloons are the world’s largest hot air balloon manufacturer and are responsible for many of the fabulous hot air balloons seen at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
Contracted by Fedor in 2014, the manufacturer has produced the Roziere 550 balloon. As high as the leaning Tower of Pisa and as wide as two double decker buses, it will fly on hot air during the day and use helium to continue to fly at night.
Fedor will be travelling in a 2.2m high by 1.6m wide gondola below the balloon, which will also carry everything he needs for his globe-trotting journey, from food and oxygen supplies to communication and navigational instruments. Should the landing be wetter than anticipated, the gondola also serves as a life raft.
The visit will be the first time Fedor will see the balloon and Cameron Balloons founder Don Cameron will also be on hand to give the adventurer special training on the unique vessel.
The 69-year old is no stranger to adventure, having previously spent 160 days at sea in a rowing boat, climbed Everest and completed extreme polar expeditions.
After conquering land and sea, this will be Fedor’s first air adventure. If successful, he will become only the second person to fly a balloon around the. He is hoping that the Bristol-made balloon will help him complete the journey faster than the previous record of 15 days.
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