Rob Franklin's initial interest in ballooning stemmed from a passion for all forms of aviation, combined with an adventurous nature that has taken him to extreme environments all over the world, from the Arctic to the desert.

After making his first flight just five years ago, he progressed rapidly, achieving his first solo flight after just six months instead of the more usual two years. He has now has over 100 hours in the air ,not easily achievable in the UK weather! Recent milestones include a 110 mile flight from Buckinghamshire to Lincolnshire and in the winter of 2001, an ascent to over 24,000 feet in his 77,000ft3 balloon GBTWM. This was the precursor to his current record attempt.

Questioned about why he has focused on ballooning as a sport , Rob explains that he enjoys its simplicity over other forms of aviation. "I also like the adventurous side," he says. "When you take off, you know the direction you are travelling but you never quite know where you're going to land."

Rob Franklin is a cameraman by profession, working initially for the BBC and now with a successful freelance career. Credits include.... Polar Bear Diaries, Shark Encounters, Blue Peter, Tomorrow's World, to name a few. Currently he is working on a programme about the worlds first airship.