User:Mjroots/First flight across the English Channel

The First flight across the English Channel may refer to one of a number of events. In 1795, the first flight was made by Jean-Pierre Blanchard and John Jeffries in a hydrogen balloon from Dover to Calais. In 1909, Louis Blériot made the first flight in a heavier-than-air craft, the Blériot IX. In 1928, the first flight by autogyro was made by Juan de la Cierva. In 1945, the first flight by helicopter was made by a Focke-Achgelis Fa 223. In 1959, the first flight by hovercraft was made by Saunders-Roe SR-N1, with Christopher Cockerell on board. In 1979, the first flight by an aircraft powered solely by muscle power was made by Bryan Allen in the Gossamer Albatross. In 2008, the first crossing by jetpack was made by Yves Rossy.

First balloon flight
The first flight across the English Channel took place on 7 January 1785 when Jean-Pierre Blanchard and John Jeffries ascended from Dover Castle in a hydrogen balloon. Take-off was at 13:13. The balloon was carrying a number of letters address to various French nobility. Two silk flags were carried and both crew wore lifejackets made of cork. The flight was Blanchard's sixth. The balloon landed at Guignes some two leagues [6 mi] west of Calais at 15:25.