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Inflatable hits 16,000 feet in 1982 (OT)

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Inflatable hits 16,000 feet in 1982 (OT)

Postby Guest » Sun Mar 30, 2003 10:43 am

Off topic but an interesting story. In 1982, 33yo Larry Walters tied 45 six foot helium filled weather balloons to a garden chair ballasted with water bottles. He launched at a rate of 1000fpm to an altitude of 16,000 feet where he stayed for around 45 minutes. He was supposed to control altitude by shooting the balloons with a BB gun... but he dropped it after shooting about 10 of them. He drifted into an air traffic corridor and was spotted by a passenger jet.

Image

Jackass or free-spirit?
Awesome. Respect.

http://www.markbarry.com/amazing/lawnchairman.html

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sq225917
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Postby sq225917 » Sun Mar 30, 2003 12:42 pm

i don't know whether to believe that or not......

but thats the true sort of 'pioneering spirit' that made :thumb: america great.......

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Postby KiteGlider » Mon Mar 31, 2003 6:53 am

Very entertaining, Sven.

I knew about the flight , but had no idea about how the event has been immortalised.

thanks,
KG

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And the moral is....

Postby Foilman » Mon Mar 31, 2003 8:34 am

Always, always, always

Use a gun leash.


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