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And Charles did not intend to give in
After
the first human flight with the Montgolfière the fences were completely
down. It goes without saying that Charles also wanted to go up in his
gas balloon. This happened on December 1st at the Tuileries,
exactly 10 days after de Roziers stunt. In the mean time Charles had
constructed a large hydrogen gas balloon. The brilliant man had already
foreseen almost all the important parts that are still in use (many of
them unchanged) up to the present. From now on the appendix would remain
open during flight, so the expanding gas would have a way to escape, and
he included a valve to enable the pilot to fly lower by letting gas out
of the balloon.
Charles and his companion - one of the Robert brothers - ascended in a
nacelle, well provided with food, clothes, instruments and even ballast
(sand bags).
The
flight was a complete success. In 2 hours they flew from Paris to Nesle,
a distance of 27 miles. In Nesle Robert got out of the nacelle and
Charles decided to make a second flight, alone this time. The balloon
mounted rapidly up to 3000 meters and Charles could see the sunset a
second time that day. Because of the cold and aching ears he descended and
landed the balloon perfectly.
Unlike the hot air balloon the technique of the gas balloon has remained
the same for over 200 years. Only the filling of the balloon has become
much easier and the invention of the rip panel has enabled safer
landings. |
