A blind veteran and his partner are planning to fly a balloon across the Atlantic Ocean, starting in Canada and finishing in the South Hams.

The British couple will be flying from Canada to Dartmouth this summer in a bid to break world records and to raise money for Blind Veterans UK.

Blind veteran, Mike Scholes and his partner Deborah Jane Day have been regular flying partners since Mike lost his sight 11 years ago-but not before he helped Deborah gain her pilot’s licence.

Mike originally did his initial naval training at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

Deborah is aiming to be the first lady to captain a balloon across the Atlantic and if successful she will smash world distance and duration records.

Also, Mike will be the first registered blind person to crew on such a flight.

The 2,800 mile fundraising flight is expected to take between five and 10 days during which the couple’s 85ft Rozière balloon will be lifted by a combination of helium and hot air, reaching altitudes of more than 18,000ft.

June is the chosen month for the challenge, due to the more consistent weather at this time of the year and because the days are longer.

Mike, who is one of only seven British pilots to have flown at three times this height said: “The balloon will fly between 500ft and 16,000ft depending on weather.

“Snow is our biggest concern, but above 10,000ft you’re also short of oxygen. I’ve experienced oxygen deprivation on balloon flights before.

“When you reach 10,000ft it’s like having your first gin and tonic when you get in from work…it hits you but then the body adjusts.”

During the Atlantic crossing, the pair will be cramped inside a 1.8m x 1.4m super-light, British made basket. To keep the couple warm the basket will have insulation material to line it.

Inside will be oxygen cylinders and masks together with natural wool clothing and a sleeping bag to insulate them from the cold.

As a last resort if the balloon drops, Mike said they had been advised to have a line about 50m long hanging from the basket with a cow bell on it to warn the couple if they are close to the water or land.

Mike added: “We will avoid static by wearing wool and cotton.”

While up in the air, the couple will keep in touch with Mission Control at home in Lindfield, West Sussex. This is done primarily via smartphone and a solar-powered iPad which has a unique app that allows Mike to monitor the flight while Deborah is asleep.

The rest of the living space will be shared with helium cylinders for the balloon, survival and rescue equipment to be used in the event of a marine landing, back-up communication equipment and food supplies.

Mike who has broken five duration hot air balloon records, lost his sight at the age of 53 to Leber’s Herediatry Optic Neuropathy- a rare condition affecting mostly young men in the UK.

Mike joked: “Up until then I was running a successful commercial passenger balloon company, but I gave it up because passengers felt more comfortable with a pilot who could see.”

He took up long distance running with a local club, where he met Deborah, an endurance athlete. Then he went on to set himself increasingly demanding physical challenges such as a trek to the North Pole.

However, this balloon flight will be his toughest challenge yet.

“More have failed than succeeded in crossing the Atlantic by balloon” said Mike who is currently training to improve his physical endurance with Deborah.

“I find exercise is a big motivator and a boost, both physically and mentally.

“I do get frustrated by the lack of independence and exercise is something you can achieve without being reliant on other people.”

Deborah said: “I couldn’t make the Atlantic trip without Mike. Although he cannot handle the landings, he is still a very competent, experienced balloonist.

“When we fly, we work as one. He’s a real adventurer-we have that in common.”

Part of the training includes keeping fit to help their bodies acclimatise to the lower oxygen levels. They have also been advised go swimming in the sea to help their bodies get used to the cold water, incase of an emergency and the couple end up evacuating the challenge over the ocean.

The couple will also be heading to the Alps for altitude training and plan to take the basket with them to test if it is warm enough.

The original plan was to fly from Dartmouth in Canada. However, after talking to local Canadian balloonists the couple have decided to fly from Quebec to avoid the dangers of the sea fog around Dartmouth.

Mike said he hopes they will fly over Dartmouth on their flight over Canada and their target to land in Dartmouth in Devon is still the aim.

Mike and Deborah are seeking sponsorship for the flight in aid of Blind Veterans UK which helps to support ex-servicemen and women rebuild their lives after sight loss.

The name and logo of Blind Veterans UK will be on the bottom of the white balloon and there is opportunity for further logos to go on the Rozière balloon. The colour white helps the balloon to stay at a more consistent level while flying.

Cameron Balloons is designing and manufacturing the balloon.

A GoFundMe fundraising page has been created at www.gofundme.com/transatlantic-balloon-challenge.

To follow the couple’s progress search @BalloononthePond on Twitter and Facebook.