The pilots of a helium balloon flying across the Pacific Ocean have matched a duration record as they approach North America, marking another historic day for the team that's already surpassed a distance record.

Pilots Troy Bradley of New Mexico and Leonid Tiukhtyaev of Russia,  collectively dubbed "Two Eagles," matched the milestone early yesterday when they hit 137 hours, 5 minutes and 50 seconds in the air in a traditional gas balloon.

The duo took flight from Japan last Saturday in a bid to break world records for distance and duration for gas balloon travel.

The balloon, which relies solely on an enclosed chamber of helium gas for lift, is different from hot air balloons and so-called Roziere balloons, which rely on both hot air and lighter-than-air gas. Roziere balloons have by far the greatest range of the three types.

The distance record of 8,383 km for gas balloons was set on the only previous manned trans-Pacific flight, in 1981, while the duration record of more than 137 hours aloft was set in 1978 by a team crossing the Atlantic.

During their flight, the "Two Eagles" were on a diet of fresh fruit, freeze-dried hikers' meals, beef jerky and the occasional hot meal prepared on a small stove. They were also equipped with cold weather gear including sleeping bags and a heater.

"It goes to the philosophy of man," said Ray Bair, an official observer with the National Aeronautic Association based at Mission Control in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "You always try to attain new heights and distances. That's what this is all about."

The duration record is considered the "holy grail" of ballooning achievements. It was set in 1978 when Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman made the first trans-Atlantic balloon flight, explained Bair.

To establish a record, international aviation rules required Bradley and Tiukhtyaev to stay aloft one per cent longer than the current record. And on Thursday, the pilots eclipsed the distance record of 8,383km and created history.-TradeArabia News Service