GTC Customer's Transatlantic Balloon Crossing

GTC Customer's Transatlantic Balloon Crossing

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Guy Arnold

In June of this year, two British balloonists and GTC customers, Deborah Scholes and her registered blind husband, Mike, will attempt to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in a Rozière balloon, a specialised hybrid helium balloon specifically engineered for very long flight times.

It's a challenge only successfully completed 11 times before, the first time in 1978 when pilots Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman crossed from Maine, USA, and landed in Miserey, France, nearly six days later.

Other notable crossings include the First Solo Transatlantic Balloon Flight, piloted by Rosie O'Grady in 1984; the First Transatlantic Balloon Flight From East to West, which was bravely taken on in 1992 by Thomas Feliu & Jesus Gonzales Green; and most recently, in 2007, when David Hempleman-Adams guided the smallest balloon ever to cross the Atlantic, just four years after he won the award for First Transatlantic Balloon Flight in an Open Wicker Basket.

Deborah and Mike anticipate their crossing, from Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada, will also take roughly six days, just like the world's first ever flight did, and when they reach their landing place, which could be anywhere between Scandinavia and the southern tip of Italy or Greece, multi-marathon-running Deborah will become the World's First Lady to successfully pilot a Transatlantic balloon crossing. Mike, who, in 2006, flew a small balloon to 32,000 feet in a builder's bag, will become the world's first registered blind person to record a Transatlantic balloon flight.

To keep Deborah and Mike reliably connected with their Mission Control team on the ground, we are supplying them with an Iridium GO! exec™ satellite wifi hotspot which will allow them to send WhatsApp messages and emails directly from the device or their smartphones. Their messages will be received by their Mission Control team on the ground, a group of individuals based in different locations in the UK and one in Belgium. We will also supply them with a Garmin inReach® Messenger, a ruggedised, long-life messenger tracker with built-in SOS functionality that can trigger a search and rescue mission from Garmin's centralised IERCC.

This incredible challenge will not only put Deborah and Mike well and truly to the test, but their precious Garmin and Iridium hardware too. They will rely on the GO! exec and inReach Messenger to record their location, status, and overall affirmation that they are okay and safely still in flight by virtue of the ability to WhatsApp and email from altitudes of several thousand feet.

We can't wait to monitor Deborah and Mike's progress.

Click here to visit the Transatlantic Balloon Challenge website and learn more about their flight.

Leave a comment

NewCommentFormDrop

You Might Also Like...

EPIRB vs PLB: Choosing the Right Emergency Beacon for You

EPIRB vs PLB: Choosing the Right Emergency Beac...

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Guy Arnold

In an emergency at sea, the right beacon can make all the difference. Whether you sail offshore, paddle coastal waters, or work at sea, it’s essential to understand the difference between EPIRBs and Personal Locator...

Garmin GPSMAP H1 vs H1i Plus vs 67 vs 67i: The Ultimate Comparison

Garmin GPSMAP H1 vs H1i Plus vs 67 vs 67i: The ...

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Guy Arnold

Garmin’s GPSMAP series has always been the gold standard for rugged handheld navigation. The launch of the new GPSMAP H1 and H1i Plus marks a big leap forward, with upgraded displays, storage, and durability. But...

SmartOne Solar vs SmartOne C: Which Globalstar Tracker Should You Choose?

SmartOne Solar vs SmartOne C: Which Globalstar ...

Posted on September 01, 2025 by Guy Arnold

When it comes to reliable satellite tracking, Globalstar’s SmartOne Solar and SmartOne C stand out as two of the most trusted options for businesses and individuals who need dependable asset visibility and workforce safety. Both...

Stay Connected Anywhere: The Complete Guide to SPOT Satellite Devices

Stay Connected Anywhere: The Complete Guide to ...

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Guy Arnold

The wind is picking up. You’ve been following a mountain trail for hours, miles from the nearest road, and your phone’s screen taunts you with No Signal. Somewhere in the distance, clouds are rolling in....