Aviation Pioneer, Inventor. He is regarded as the father of modern-day hot air balloon flight. He is credited with making the first free flight hot-air balloon advance in efficiency by using propane rather than Hydrogen in October 1955. On April 13, 1963, along with a photographer, he piloted the first balloon flight across the English Channel. They launched the 60,000 cubic foot hot air balloon "Channel Champ" from Rye, England and landed the aircraft near Gravelines, France, making headline news that introduced the hot air balloon to the world. In 1976, Yost set 13 world aviation records including distance traveled, amount of time aloft and solo flights over the Atlantic Ocean. As an inventor, he further refined the hot air balloon with many features and holds 21 patents. These included nonporous synthetic fabrics, maneuvering vents and deflation systems for landing that are industry standards. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to aviation from The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the Wingfoot Lighter-Than-Air Society, the National Aeronautic Association, Aero Club of New England and is the founder of the Balloon Federation of America. In 2004, he was the first inductee into the US Ballooning Hall of Fame and the British Balloon and Airship Club awarded him the prestigious Lipton Trophy in 2006.
Aviation Pioneer, Inventor. He is regarded as the father of modern-day hot air balloon flight. He is credited with making the first free flight hot-air balloon advance in efficiency by using propane rather than Hydrogen in October 1955. On April 13, 1963, along with a photographer, he piloted the first balloon flight across the English Channel. They launched the 60,000 cubic foot hot air balloon "Channel Champ" from Rye, England and landed the aircraft near Gravelines, France, making headline news that introduced the hot air balloon to the world. In 1976, Yost set 13 world aviation records including distance traveled, amount of time aloft and solo flights over the Atlantic Ocean. As an inventor, he further refined the hot air balloon with many features and holds 21 patents. These included nonporous synthetic fabrics, maneuvering vents and deflation systems for landing that are industry standards. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to aviation from The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the Wingfoot Lighter-Than-Air Society, the National Aeronautic Association, Aero Club of New England and is the founder of the Balloon Federation of America. In 2004, he was the first inductee into the US Ballooning Hall of Fame and the British Balloon and Airship Club awarded him the prestigious Lipton Trophy in 2006.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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