Per Lindstrand facts for kids
Per Lindstrand (born in 1948) is a Swedish engineer, pilot, and adventurer. He is famous for his amazing record-breaking flights in hot air balloons across oceans. He often flew with the British businessman, Sir Richard Branson. Per also tried to be the first to fly a special type of balloon called a Rozière balloon around the Earth. He also started his own company, Lindstrand Balloons, which makes hot air balloons in England.
Per Lindstrand doesn't just fly balloons! He also pilots many other aircraft. He has licenses to fly airplanes, helicopters, autogyros, airships, and gliders. His big dream is to fly a hot air balloon (not a Rozière or gas balloon) all the way around the world. This dream has not yet come true. His records for distance, time in the air, and height have made him one of the most famous balloonists and designers of flying machines in the world.
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Early Life and First Flights
Per Lindstrand's journey into flying started in the Swedish Air Force. There, he worked as an Engineering Officer. His very first flight in a balloon happened in the early 1970s because of a bet! He built a simple balloon himself. He then successfully flew it across a runway while in the Swedish Air Force. This helped him win the bet. When he flew military planes, he used the cool call sign, Polar Per.
Later, Lindstrand earned a special degree called a master's degree in aeronautical engineering. This means he became an expert in designing and building aircraft. He then worked for big companies like Saab Aircraft in Sweden and Lockheed in the United States.
Building a Balloon Company
In 1976, Per Lindstrand teamed up with another Swedish engineer, Håkan Colting. They started a company called Colting Balloons in Ireland. In 1978, the company moved to Oswestry, England. This move helped them be closer to important markets in the UK and Europe. When Håkan Colting moved to Canada, Lindstrand kept running the company. It was renamed Colt Balloons, and later became Thunder & Colt Balloons. This happened after they bought another company called Thunder Balloons.
In 1991, Lindstrand started his own company, Lindstrand Balloons Ltd. He later created another special company, Lindstrand Technologies Ltd. Both companies are in Oswestry. They make and fix aerostats, airships, gas balloons, and other fabric products. These products include big structures for buildings and even special flood barriers.
The Beagle 2 Parachute
In 2002, Lindstrand Balloons got a very important job. They were asked to make the complex parachute for the Mars-lander, Beagle 2. Beagle 2 was a spacecraft designed to land on Mars. It was launched in June 2003. People thought it failed to land on Mars on Christmas Day 2003. However, in 2015, it was found on the surface of Mars! Pictures from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter showed it. The pictures suggest it landed safely. But two of its four solar panels did not open. This blocked the spacecraft's way to talk to Earth. You can find more information about Beagle 2 by clicking its link.
Lindstrand Balloons also worked with Daimler Chrysler Aerospace from Germany. They won a contract from the European Space Agency. Their job was to design a high-altitude, long-lasting airship. This airship could possibly be used for telecommunications. Because of this work, Lindstrand won the German Korber Prize for his excellent engineering skills.
Amazing Record Flights
From early in his career, Per Lindstrand loved to push the limits of flying machines that are lighter than air. He went on to break every single world record for hot air balloon flight.
On June 6, 1988, Lindstrand took off from Plano, Texas, US. He set a new world altitude record for hot-air balloons. He reached an incredible height of 19,811 meters (about 65,000 feet). This record stood for many years. It was finally broken in 2005 by Vijaypat Singhania.
In January 1991, Lindstrand and Richard Branson flew the Virgin Pacific Flyer. This was a huge hot air balloon, the biggest ever built! They flew 6,761 miles from Japan to Northern Canada. This was the longest flight in the history of lighter-than-air travel. Their flight set two new world records for distance and how long they stayed in the air. They also broke their own speed record, flying at 245 mph (395 km/h).
In December 1998, Lindstrand, Richard Branson, and Steve Fossett tried to be the first to fly a balloon around the world. They flew for 7 days and covered over 20,000 km. They used a Rozière balloon. They started in Morocco and landed in the Pacific Ocean. They landed close to rescue services in Hawaii, US.
Awards and Recognition
Per Lindstrand has received many important awards for his achievements. He was given the Royal Aero Club's Gold Medal twice by Prince Andrew, in 1989 and 1991. He also received the Royal Aero Club's Britannia Trophy in 1988. He is also a winner of America's highest flying award, the Harmon Trophy. Vice President Quayle gave him this award at the White House.
In February 2006, he was given an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Institute of British Architects. This was for his very creative work with inflatable structures. Per Lindstrand is also listed in the Guinness Hall of Fame.
