Lawn chair test pilot flies 193 miles using helium baloons

[Space Tycoon]

Man flies 193 miles across Oregon with helium baloons and a lawn chair. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070710/ap_on_re_us/flying_lawn_chair)

Crazy, or brilliant? Only his therapist knows for sure. :anismirk:



BEND, Ore. - Last weekend, Kent Couch settled down in his lawn chair with some snacks — and a parachute. Attached to his lawn chair were 105 large helium balloons.

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Destination: Idaho.

With instruments to measure his altitude and speed, a global positioning system device in his pocket, and about four plastic bags holding five gallons of water each to act as ballast — he could turn a spigot, release water and rise — Couch headed into the Oregon sky.

Nearly nine hours later, the 47-year-old gas station owner came back to earth in a farmer's field near Union, short of Idaho but about 193 miles from home....

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[spammityspam]

I want to bake cookies for that man. This is the kind of dream I wish people tried for on a regular basis. Like that guy who mailed himself! Remember him? More people need to act on their insane impulses!

[Kaeos]

Man flies 193 miles across Oregon with helium baloons and a lawn chair. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070710/ap_on_re_us/flying_lawn_chair)

Crazy, or brilliant? Only his therapist knows for sure. :anismirk:
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Considering this is is second such flight, I'd say a little from column A, a little from column B. :anismirk:

[Al-Dog]

More people need to act on their insane impulses!I agree 100%.

In fact I think they should encourage people to do things like that. I’d love for them to sell lawn chairs and helium balloons outside of bars. :lol:

[Space Tycoon]

I have always dreamed of building a spaceship. I have no clue how or where I'd get the money, but the dream remains nonetheless.

Maybe that's why The Astronaut Farmer resonated so deeply with me.

The thing about having an impossible (or at least, extremely difficult) goal, I think, is that if you seriously pursue it, it doesn't matter if you succeed or not. The journey is what matters, and you'll have a hell of a lot of fun on the way.

I don't know where that came from, I've been throwing back the Sleemans so I'm getting all philosophical-like. :anismirk:







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[TheYah]

http://www.clusterballoon.org/

check out where lawnchairman got his inspiration/ideas from ^-^) great photos there too! cant believe he lost his camera though / and too bad he didnt think to do a helm cam ... and on a local tv show, he said he did NOT put a seat belt on the contraption? yah, id be lovin on the parachute for sure! cra~zy brave these ppl are

[Space Tycoon]

Awesome man! I'm doing it.

After I finish this 12-pack. :p






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[TheYah]

after the 12pack (only ONE 12 pack tho? hehe) get some cookies from Spam! and if you go the lawnchair way, put a seatbelt on the contraption!

:popcorn: "Balloons & their Hidden Dangers: kids dont try this at home! or anywhere"

[TrixieB]

You know what this guy's last words are going to be, don't you?

"Hey, you guys! Watch this!!!"