Congratulation to Jonathan Trappe, 36, of Raleigh, N.C., was strapped in a specially equipped chair below a bright cluster of balloons when he lifted off early Friday from Kent, in southeast England.  About five hours later...

he landed in a French field by cutting some of the balloons away.

Jonathan's words before the flight:

The English Channel : by Cluster Balloon:   Balloonists, Friends:  Our weather system has arrived; it is our chance to make a run on the English Channel .  Our team—friends of mine and yours—will be meeting us out on the airfield just a short time from now.  In a couple hours, the aircraft (a towering cluster of toy balloons) will be standing proud above the airfield. Once we have stood the aircraft, the trackers will go active.  Please feel free to track our us as we float into the silent skies; do all you can to try and steer us towards the water, and then towards the land.   If you are on the continent, and see me flying an approach profile near you, your presence at landing would be welcome.    Wish us luck~   Jonathan R. Trappe Cluster Balloonist

The Link to a great Sky News video interview with Jonathan Trappe after he landed in France from his historic Cluster Balloon Channel  Crossing.

Jonathan Trappe Offical Web Site