World record breaking balloonist
Per Lindstrand has joined forces with Earth 2000the world's largest ever
media conservation project.by Carolyn Enting
World record breaking balloonist
Per Lindstrand has joined forces with Earth 2000the world's largest ever
media conservation project.
A high-action adventure television series tackling conservation issues, Earth 2000 will soon be setting out on its global mission with an arsenal of high-tech equipment including a 3000 cubic foot custom-made Lindstrand hot air balloon.
Helping the team work with black rhinos in Tanzania, the balloon will be used as a unique viewing platform over the African savannah.
"For the moment the exact nature of this, and all the missions are classified," according to the executive producer of Earth 2000. "However I can say that the Earth 2000 A-team will need to get extremely close to these endangered animals if they are to be successful. The team will be working in dense bush and will be informed of their proximity to the rhino by radio from the balloon above while they focus on the task at hand, thus reducing the chance of an unexpected ambush."
Measuring 23 meters (70 feet) tall and 20 meters (62 feet) in diameter, this custom built balloon perfectly fits its mission brief. The double cylinder balloon holds six people and has the capacity to reach heights of up to 33,000 feet.
Probably the world's most famous aviator, Swedish born Per Lindstrand is best known for his exploits with entrepreneur Richard Branson during various record balloon attempts, including an around-the-world quest.
On hearing about the massive conservation benefiting event, Per had no qualms about donating a £30,000 balloon to its cause and is now a member of the executive committee of Earth 2000, alongside people like Lord St John of Bletso, Sir Christopher Lever, Sir Timothy Ackroyd, and fellow adventurers Col. John Blashford-Snelland Dr. Mike Stroud.
"This is the sort of project I like to be involved in," Per said. "Earth 2000 is purely about conservation and highlighting the issues presently affecting the world.
"Unfortunately a lot of these type of projects get political which I think is wrong. Earth 2000 is above all that."
Originally from Sweden, Per has always been interested in pushing the boundaries of lighter-than-air technology and has led from the front by capturing every absolute record for hot air balloon flight. His aeronautical career started with a short service commission in the Swedish Air Force. Ballooning became a hobby and his first solo balloon flight was in a home built balloon.
Per first began manufacturing balloon in 1978 and in 1991 founded his present company in Oswestry, England. Besides balloons, Per holds an airline transport pilots license for single and multi-engine land and sea airplanes and helicopters and a commercial pilot license for auto-gyros and gliders.
In addition to distance and altitude records for hot air balloons, Per has received the Royal Aero Club's Gold Metal twice, the Royal Aeronautical Club's Brittanica Trophy, and U.S. National Aeronautic Association's Harmon Trophy.
With his desire to extend the frontiers of balloon technology, it seems natural that Per should find the Earth 2000 challenge an appealing one.
The Earth 2000 balloon crew are presently undergoing specialized training at Lindstrand Balloons in Oswestry. Filming is set to start next year at 12 remote and secret locations around the world. Come the year 2000 it will be broadcast to 1.8 billion people in 66 countries.
