Source: kentonline.co.uk
By Matt Le Clere
Two French pilots made history on September 4 after completing the world’s first electric-powered airship flight across the English Channel.
Gérard Feldzer, a French TV presenter and aeronautical expert Pierre Chabert took off in Iris Challenger II from Cap Gris Nez in the Pas-de-Calais at 7.30 am French time.
They completed their journey in two hours and 23 minutes landing at around 9 am in Folkestone.
The French pilots’ ‘flying saucer’
It took the pilots just two hours and 23 minutes to complete the journey
The airship looks like something out of a Jules Verne novel
Robert Halls captured the moment history was made as the airship landed behind his house in Dymchurch
Photo: Robert HallsThe craft weighs some 200kg (441 lbs) and the project has cost around £185,000 (US$ 290,000).
Following an unsuccessful attempt in 2011, the pair are now aiming for further records.
The voyage marks the first in a series of world record attempts.
Next on the list is the speed record and then to attempt to cross the Mediterranean and fourthly a transatlantic crossing.
The following is a video of the airship taking off from Cap Gris Nez.
Source: kentonline.co.uk