A French amateur pilot is part of the way across the English Channel in a pedal-propelled airship.
Stephane Rousson, 39, took off from Hythe on the Kent coast at about 0800 BST and was half-way to the French coast by 1300 BST.
He had been waiting for winds of less than 5mph before he could set off.
Mr Rousson failed to make the 34-mile (55km) journey in airship Zeppy in June, despite waiting two weeks for the ideal weather conditions.
If he is successful this time, it will be the first such crossing of the Channel.
A spokeswoman for Mr Rousson said: "To have set off is a victory in itself. He had to wait for just the right weather conditions but they came at the right time."
He had hoped to make the crossing in five hours, but the wind changed direction forcing him to rest while waiting for a change.
During the challenge, Mr Rousson is underneath the balloon envelope in a carbon fibre gondola, powering the two propellers with his feet using a bicycle-like contraption.
He said the venture had been inspired by the Steven Spielberg film ET.
"Ever since I was a kid I have dreamed of flying," he said.
(BBC)
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