On August 12, 1978, the Double Eagle II lifted off from Presque Isle, Maine, for an unprecedented Atlantic journey. Piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman, a team of seasoned pilots, balloonists, and explorers assembled just for this adventure, the balloon remained aloft for 137 hours and six minutes, nearly six days, following a route no one had ever successfully flown.
This remarkable feat took place during the height of the Cold War, a time when geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union dominated global affairs. In this atmosphere of uncertainty and rivalry, the Double Eagle II’s flight stood out as a powerful symbol of human ingenuity and collaboration; more than just an aviation milestone, it represented a hopeful moment of unity and progress during a divided era.
Click through the following gallery to explore the story behind this remarkable historic flight.