Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard completed the first non-stop world circumnavigation by hot-air balloon in March 1999.

The two men flew at an altitude of 40,000 ft for three weeks, following about twenty failed attempts by themselves and other teams. With the prize money they set up the Winds of Hope charitable foundation.

Brian Jones contributed much of the success to luck with jet stream winds, high-quality teamwork and good communications. At a meeting of the UK Scientific Exploration Society, he also noted the importance of having negotiated use of airspace with the Chinese authorities.

The two men now hope to be the first people to fly around the world in a solar-powered aeroplane.