Indian aviator seeks record with edge-of-space air balloon flight

BOMBAY, Tuesday (AFP) Indian industrial tycoon and aviator Vijaypat Singhania said Tuesday he will attempt a new world record by flying a hot air balloon to an altitude of 70,000 feet (over 21,000 metres) later this year.

The flight, entitled "MI 70K" (Mission Impossible 70,000), will take place mid-November in Bombay, India's financial capital, Singhania told a media conference here.

At least 17 aviators have attempted to beat the existing high altitude balloon record of 64,997 feet (19,811 metres) set by Sweden's Per Lindstrand in Texas in 1988.

Singhania said he would use one of the largest balloons ever built, with a 1.6 million cubic feet (45,300 cubic metre) capacity, for the expected five-hour flight.