Adept at putting ultralight aircraft through their paces then relaxing with a bit of acrobatic hang-gliding, Bertrand Piccard earns his living as a psychiatrist but without in the least forsaking his innumerable scientific interests.

Born on March 1 1958, he first flew a hot-air balloon in 1979 and later used a balloon as a launch platform for his hang-gliding exploits.

Bertrand Piccard was methodically and meticulously preparing his great and grand adventure aboard the Breitling Orbiter. Bertrand Piccard was even able to hypnotize Wim Verstraeten to sleep for brief, alternating periods during their memorable 112-hours balloon crossing of the Atlantic some years ago.