Up, up and away!

[ArmedLiberal]

OK, OK the firearms connection is a little shaky but he did use a Red Ryder BB gun and a blow gun to pop the balloons.


http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/05/lawnchair.balloons.ap/index.html

Try and tell me that a part of you doesn't want to try this.

AL

 

[Sans Authoritas]

You know I do. I think the first guy, Walters, dropped his pellet gun and actually did have some altitude problems. So there's a tactical tip for you, lads. Remember to keep a lanyard on your altitude-reducing sidearm.

-Sans Authoritas

 

[yesit'sloaded]

Sounds incredibly dumb and a great way to die. The engineer in me wants to try it tomorrow. I really would want a parachute on me.

 

[justin 561]

Sounds fun, but wouldn't want to do it.

 

[MGshaggy]

Lemme get this straight...

He carried 45 gallons of cherry Kool-Aid for ballast. Travels 20 mph at 15,000 ft. (almost 3 miles up) powered by 150 helium-filled party balloons. Cost of the rig - $6000...which was covered mostly by corporate sponsors.

What I want to know is when did the makers of blotter acid start handing out corporate sponsorships? (because this guy HAD to be tripping on something...)

 

[HK G3]

I think what he did is pretty cool.

Of course, he should probably be taking anti-coagulants while sitting in one position that long so he doesn't get pulmonary emboli...

Being a med student takes the fun out of pretty much all activities...

 

[hso]

Try being a safety engineer if you want to take the fun out of everything.:banghead:

I think I'd have gone with something a little more reliable than a Red Ryder.

 

[GlowinPontiac]

Did he get approval from the FAA for the trip?

A guy tried this a while back and was slapped with thousands in fines for FAA rule violations.

Would be fun tho!

 

[LaEscopeta]

Best quote in the story from his wife “It's never been a dull moment since I married him."

Actually it seems like he pulled this off as safe as these things can be done. I’m sure it was safer then the first guys to fly in balloons.

 

[Jeff White]

OK the firearms connection is a little shaky

You got that right..........