I’m following with great interest David Hempleman-Adams Toshiba Transatlantic Challenge. I’ve first met David when he was learning to fly a balloon 10 years ago. I qualified for my Private Pilot’s Licence (Balloons and Airships) in 1993 and flew my balloon out of Victoria Park in Bath a number of times when he was flying with his instructor. His instructor once asked if I’d take him on a flight with me so he would get someone else’s ideas about how to do things!

A few minutes ago he wrote from the balloon “Nearly there! HQ just told me I’ve got 60 miles to go before I can start looking for a suitable landing site. I’m starting my slow descent. Apparently there is a helicopter on its way to get some airborne footage. Fantastic, the evening sun is just beautiful up here, the shots should look awesome. Not long now, phew”.

Good luck and a soft landing, David.

PS I’ve just taken another look at his position and track and it appears he’ll be landing to the north of Lyons and south of Dijon. There’s some very decent wine produced there and he’ll be right in the heart of it, what better place to come down and celebrate 5 new world records? :-) The wind speed in that area still looks a little brisk for a gentle return to earth so he may fly on until nearer sunset when the wind should decrease and any gusting die down. My guess if for a 20:00 GMT (19:00) BST landing.

PPS Looks like he’s landed, the tracking has no altitude information, the wind speed is 15kts but the balloon speed is 0kts. The last postion reported was 4.9 N 4.64 which places the landing about 15 miles south west of Beaune. Well done!