"Flying mattress" to cross Atlantic

[bananas]

Source: The Sunday Times (UK)

From The Sunday Times
August 26, 2007

‘Flying mattress’ to cross Atlantic
Matthew Campbell

TO highlight the benefits of alternative energy sources, the first woman to row the Atlantic solo plans to enter the record books again next year by crossing it in a solar-powered “sail balloon”.

Backed by the best of French industry, Peggy Bouchet, 34, has captured the public’s imagination – and admiration – with her planned 3,000-mile journey from west Africa to the French West Indies. She aims to set off early next year.

Windream One, as her 90ft craft is known, is an odd-looking contraption which, from behind, is reminiscent more of a giant air mattress than a helium-filled balloon.

In a crisis such as an unscheduled landing on water, the gondola suspended beneath it would double as a survival capsule. The most unusual feature, however, is the chien de mer ("sea dog"), a curved, carbon-fibre fin which, when lowered by rope from the gondola into the ocean, acts as a ship’s keel, enabling the balloon to travel almost into the wind.

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Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2327812.ece

[bleever]

1. I want an airborne ship with trimmable sails and dippable keel.

But I'm happy just thinking about it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Or you could just use a sailing ship

The article doesn't seem to say why this is better than the ships that have used 'alternative energy sources' to cross the Atlantic for hundreds of years.

[truthisfreedom]

3. Because ships can't fly?

Well, spaceships.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. But if you're using a keel

it's got to stay right next to the water. So what good is flying?

[bananas]

6. I think the keel is only needed to tack into a strong wind

There's a video and more info on her website
http://www.peggybouchet.com/Projet.htm

[malaise]

5. Aladdin's magic carpet

comes alive. :D