Double Eagle II, piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman, became the first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it landed 17 August 1978 in Miserey near Paris, 137 hours-6 minutes after leaving Presque Isle, Maine. Benjamin L. Abruzzo (b. ... Balloons are often used or given on special occasions, like cards or flowers. ... August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... Presque Isle is a city located in Aroostook County, Maine. ...

• Builder: Ed Yost; Tea, South Dakota
• Balloon: 160,000 ft³ (4,500 m³) helium-filled; 112 ft (34 m) high, 65 ft (20 m) in diameter
• Gondola: 15 x 7 x 4 1/2 foot; name "The Spirit of Albuquerque"
• Equipment: 1 VHF radio, 2 single sideband HF radios, 1 ADF beacon transmitter, 1 amateur band radio, 1 maritime radio, hookup to Nimbus 6 satellite.
• Total weight: 760 lb (345 kg) empty
• Take-off: 8:42 p.m. - 11 August
• Landing: 7:48 p.m. - 17 August
• Lowest altitude: 3,500 feet - 13 August
• Highest altitude: 24,950 feet - 16 August
• Total distance: 4,988 kilometers (3,107.61 miles)

The Double Eagle II Airport is named for the balloon. Tea is a city located in Lincoln County, South Dakota. ... A kilometre (American spelling: kilometer) (symbol: km) is a unit of length equal to 1000 metres (from the Greek words khilia = thousand and metro = count/measure). ... See mile - unit of measurement (distance) Miles Aircraft Ltd - UK manufacturer of light and military aircraft Miles Tails Prower - a fictional fox Miles Davis was an American jazz composer and trumpeter and was one of the most influential and innovative musicians of the 20th century. ... Double Eagle II Airport serves Albuquerque, New Mexico. ...

External links

• Congressional Gold Medal webpage (http://www.congressionalgoldmedal.com/BenAbruzzoMaxieAndersonLarryNewman.htm)
• Double Eagle II webpage @ Smithsonian Institution-National Air and Space Museum (http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/double_eagle.htm)
• Peter Stekel's Double Eagle article @ Ballon Life (http://www.balloonlife.com/publications/balloon_life/9801/9808/deIIoverview.htm)
• Peter Stekel's Ed Yost article @ Ballon Life (http://www.balloonlife.com/publications/balloon_life/9801/9808/deIIyost.htm)
• Maxie Anderson Bio @ Maxwell-Gunter AFB (http://www.au.af.mil/au/goe/eaglebios/83bios/anders83.htm)
• Double Eagle II Article @ eBalloon.org (http://www.eballoon.org/flights/atlantic-conquered.html)