Along with Ben Abruzzo, his frequent ballooning partner, he helped Albuquerque become known as the balloon capital of the world. He was responsible for the first nonstop balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean and of the United States.
Anderson was one of three Albuquerque men who returned from France in triumph in August 1978.
The three aeronauts had flown their Double Eagle II balloon across the Atlantic, in a 3,200-mile flight that lasted 137 hours.