A short but emotional good bye

The combined Helium and hot air balloon of Russian adventurer Fedor Konykhov magnificently lifted from the airfield of Northam in Western Australia at 07:33 am on Tuesday July 12. According to tracking, in two hours Balloon reached the height of 22 000 feet and moves in east direction over the territory of Western Australia. The famous Russian traveller and the Orthodox priest Fedor Konyukhov during his solo round-the-world trip will have to cover nearly 35 thousand kilometres. Flight will take course on the altitude from five to 10 thousand meters. Konyukhov makes an attempt to improve a solo round the World ballooning record of the American aviator and adventurer Steve Fossett from 2002 of 13 days, 8 hours and 33 minutes.

Few hours earlier Fedor Konyukhov with family watching filling of the Balloon Source: Olga Klepova

The scores of journalists, both Australian, and Russian, watched start of the Morton balloon.  Fedor was farewelled by the volunteers from the Russian community of Western Australia who helped with preparation of the balloon for filling, technical team and members of his family. Our special correspondent, Olga Klepova was present at launch and recorded a short but emotional Fedor's good bye to his wife Irina, son Kolya and grandchildren Arkasha and Polina