Oregon Man Flies Lawn Chair to Idaho

[Andy44]

CLICK HERE FOR SOURCE

I won't post the entire text out of respect for the AP's copyright, but here's a starter. Near the bottom of the article is a link to the guy's website. He used helium balloons and was inspired by the guy who, back in the 1980's was fined for violating LAX airspace in a home-made aircraft consisting of a lawn chair, helium balloons, and, IIRC, a case of beer to keep him company. Since this isn't technically a space flight or backyard rocketry, I put it in Off Topic. Maybe we need an "Aviation" subforum?

Oregon man succeeds in his 3rd attempt at flight in lawn chair lifted by helium balloons

BEND, Ore. (Associated Press) -- Riding a green lawn chair supported by a rainbow array of more than 150 helium-filled party balloons, Kent Couch succeeded Saturday in his third bid to fly from central Oregon all the way to Idaho.
Couch kissed his wife and kids goodbye, and patted their shivering Chihuahua, Isabella, before his ground crew gave him a push so he could clear surrounding light poles and a coffee cart.
Then, clutching a big mug of coffee, Couch rose out of the parking lot of his gas station into the bright blue morning sky, cheered by a crowd of spectators....READ THE REST

 

[n0mad23]

Didn't the guy that inspired this back in `82 become the only surviving member of the Darwin Awards?

 

[Andy44]

I thought survivors are disqualified...in any case there was a cool Myth Busters episode in which they confirmed that this is indeed possible. I believe the method of initiating a descent was a BB gun used to deflate balloons until the desired descent rate was achieved (and hopefully not exceeded by too much, LOL).

 

[Master of Blades]

Wasn't there a catholic priest in Italia who got lost (presumed dead) doing such a thing like this?

 

[Whatu]

Wasn't there a catholic priest in Italia who got lost (presumed dead) doing such a thing like this?

Yes but I think it was in Brazil... Poor guy, IIRC he was trying to raise funds for the poor...

Edit: In fact his corpse has been found recently some 100Km into the sea..

 

[spcefrk]

I thought survivors are disqualified...

Not so. As long as you take yourself "out of the gene pool" you can be awarded a darwin award. It very rare, but I recall at least one award that consisted of fixing an engine electrical connection with a live bullet which subsequently fired once the engine heated up again and effectively neutered the driver.

 

[Andy44]

Also tested in Myth Busters...

 

[Woo482]

DAMM THAT WOULD BE PAINFUL !!!