14. 03. 99
Breitling Orbiter 3 close to the Equator

The log book

16:30 GMT: At an altitude of 9500 meters (28'500 feet), Breitling Orbiter 3 is progressing at faster speeds (40-50 knots, 72-90 km/h) towards the Hawaiian islands, off which the Subtropical jet stream will push the balloon towards Mexico and the Caribbean at more than 200 km/h. Ideally, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones should reach the North African coast by Saturday or Sunday Just before the crossing of the Date line, last night, direct satellite communication with the balloon was established for the first time in 24 hours. While the balloon envelope had been shielding the antennas mounted on the gondola from the equatorial Inmarsat satellite, the pilots had been comunicating their position directly to the centre for Pacific Ocean aviation in Oakland, California. On only 3 occasions during the night were the pilots able to receive important information from Geneva. After the slight depression caused by slow progress during the last few days (the pilots were under the impression of not moving), the spirits are lifting again. One of the first messages received after commmunications were restored was full of jokes. Brian Jones told his wife Joanna. " Lord knows where I got it from, but I have a cold. Fortunately, Dr. Piccard has his remedy box and I am now sipping hot lemon with honey ". The pilots were unable to take some fresh air yesterday, due to a storm forming more than 100 miles away. They had to climb to 9'500 meters (31'500 feet) to manoeuver between a couple of thunderstorm clouds. These manoeuvers caused a slight southerly deviation from the initial track (10 degrees latitude from Equator). However, Piccard and Jones will proceed to their utlimate check later on today. This evening, by 18:00 GMT, Breitling Orbiter 3 will have beaten Steve Fossett’s distance record of 22'910 km, the official distance record ratified by the IFA (International Federation of Aviation). The pilots and the crew celebrated, but reminded : " Our goal is not to break records, but to become the first balloon to circumnavigate the world ". 13:30 GMT: One of the first messages received after communications were restored was full of jokes. Brian Jones passed a message to his wife Jo telling her: "Lord knows where I got it from, but I have a cold. Fortunately Dr. Piccard has his remedy box and I am now sipping hot lemon with honey." 09:00 GMT: At06:30 today (07:30 Geneva time) Breitling Orbiter 3 crossed the International Date Line and pilots Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones became one day younger. Staff at the Control Centre at Geneva Airport cheered shortly before the crossing of the Date Line when direct satellite communication with the balloon was established for the first time in 24 hours. While the balloon envelope had been shielding the antennas mounted on the gondola from the equatorial Inmarsat satellite, the pilots had been communicating their position directly to the centre for Pacific Ocean Aviation at Oakland in California. On only three occasions during the night were the pilots able to receive important information from Geneva.