World Record for Hot Air Balloon Flight at 15,100 feet

2020-10-22

Alicia at the age of 30 years old, flew in a small hot air balloon for one hour and 46 minutes on Feb. 7th, reaching an altitude of 15,100 feet (4,604 meters) and breaking the world record for the highest flight by a woman in a small hot air balloon and the previous British record of 2,293 meters set 25 years ago. The previous world record was held by Pauline Baker of Ireland at 14,016 feet.

 

The daughter of renowned explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams, Alicia at the age of eight became the youngest person to visit the Arctic in 1998 and she became the youngest person to cross Baffin Island in Canada's northern Arctic at the age of 15

Alicia has had her driver license for eight years, but is still a novice when it comes to solo flying.

Flying at an altitude of 15,100 feet, Alicia must endure temperatures as low as -30C in a balloon the size of a double-decker bus, with only a three-foot by three-foot  wicker basket between her and the ground.

 

"It was very scary to be there. I've never felt so cold and you can feel very alone and helpless at that height," she said.

Alicia follows in the footsteps of her illustrious father, Sir David in setting the record. Sir David holds more than 20 world records for hot air ballooning, including being the only person to drive a hot air balloon to the North Pole come and forth.

"I grew up on the back of my father's incredible exploits and he has been a huge inspiration to me. He instilled a sense of adventure in all of us that has helped me in my life and career, but I never thought I would become a world record holder. He thought I was crazy when I told him I wanted to break the record, so I'm proud to have proved to him that I can really do it."

 

When Alicia made it back to earth, Sir David was part of the team that greeted her.

"I'm glad Alicia broke those records, but it's dangerous out there, so I'm also relieved that she came down safe and sound," he said.

Alicia enriched her achievement by taking over the world record from previous record holder Pauline Baker.