My personal hero: Lawn chair pilot flies with 105 balloons | |
Retarded Alien User ID: 225324 United States 07/11/2007 03:02 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 263987 United States 07/11/2007 03:06 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | A lot of information was left out of this story. You've quoted the same one I read this morning, but a few things I'd like to know: 1. How high did he actually get? Just saying he "passed thru clouds" doesn't tell us very much. 2. What does the FAA think of this? If this is the second time he's done it and clearly thinking about another, will a fine be sufficient or will he require a little jail time? Did he even notify the FAA of his "flight plan"? It is funny, and yes my first reaction was "that's cool!"... but there's also a negative side to this - every Joe Sixpack with the least bit of testosterone is going to want to emulate Larry Walters and Kent Couch... which is why I'd bet the FAA will try to press charges this time. Sure it's a longshot like winning the lottery, but what if a passenger jet were to scream up on this dude (they do about 600 mph+ at 20,000 ft and he's doing 25 mph, the pilots wouldn't ever see him until the last second) and he gets sucked into an engine and causes havoc? |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 158854 Canada 07/11/2007 03:17 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 158854 Canada 07/11/2007 03:18 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | It is funny, and yes my first reaction was "that's cool!"... but there's also a negative side to this - every Joe Sixpack with the least bit of testosterone is going to want to emulate Larry Walters and Kent Couch... which is why I'd bet the FAA will try to press charges this time. Sure it's a longshot like winning the lottery, but what if a passenger jet were to scream up on this dude (they do about 600 mph+ at 20,000 ft and he's doing 25 mph, the pilots wouldn't ever see him until the last second) and he gets sucked into an engine and causes havoc? Quoting: Anonymous Coward 263987Killjoy |
Mister_Obvious User ID: 247140 United States 07/11/2007 03:18 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 263987 United States 07/11/2007 03:19 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Retarded Alien User ID: 225324 United States 07/11/2007 03:20 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Pa1N ReDeFiNeD User ID: 234438 United States 07/11/2007 03:29 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Here is a local news story with video of it. [link to www.kgw.com] :katkam1: i feel so horrified, i've let my innocence die, you want to know why i cant be pacified, you made me bury something, i wont be sleeping tonight it seems so clear now what i must do, you're no immortal i wont let them deify you, they view you as the new messiah, they deify you." from Disturbed "Deify", CD "10,000 Fists" |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 158854 Canada 07/11/2007 03:31 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | this is a bad idea. soon terrorists will be flying lawn chairs into buildings & places where homeland security can't react in time. this is bad for our children & our grandchildrens safety. shoot them down! Quoting: Retarded AlienSatire is a weapon, and it can be quite cruel. Kidding, just fighting fire with fire. |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 158854 Canada 07/11/2007 03:36 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Quoting: Pa1N ReDeFiNeD Thanks for the visual aids. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 263987 United States 07/11/2007 04:06 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | The video says he reached 11,000 feet. But there is still no word if the FAA was notified beforehand. Given all the preparation and the presence of a pilot in an airplane alongside his ride (what did he do, circle constantly to follow at 25 mph?), I'd have to venture that the FAA gave them its blessing. I'm surprised by that, honestly. This is the best I could dig up: [link to www.faa.gov] Doesn't really say jack squat about requirements for filing a flight plan. Somewhere else I read you must give the FAA 24 hour notice so they can issue a NOTAM (Notice To Airmen) regarding your flight... and you have to check in with them every 2 hours during the flight. |
Claycat User ID: 264568 United States 07/11/2007 06:40 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 23006 United States 07/11/2007 06:52 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | A lot of information was left out of this story. You've quoted the same one I read this morning, but a few things I'd like to know: Quoting: Anonymous Coward 2639871. How high did he actually get? Just saying he "passed thru clouds" doesn't tell us very much. 2. What does the FAA think of this? If this is the second time he's done it and clearly thinking about another, will a fine be sufficient or will he require a little jail time? Did he even notify the FAA of his "flight plan"? It is funny, and yes my first reaction was "that's cool!"... but there's also a negative side to this - every Joe Sixpack with the least bit of testosterone is going to want to emulate Larry Walters and Kent Couch... which is why I'd bet the FAA will try to press charges this time. Sure it's a longshot like winning the lottery, but what if a passenger jet were to scream up on this dude (they do about 600 mph+ at 20,000 ft and he's doing 25 mph, the pilots wouldn't ever see him until the last second) and he gets sucked into an engine and causes havoc? This is what happened to the other guy. "Walters surprised an airline pilot, who radioed the control tower that he had just passed a guy in a lawn chair with a gun. The weapon was to shoot balloons and descend. Walters paid a $1,500 penalty for violating air traffic rules. Eleven years later, he committed suicide at age 44." [link to seattletimes.nwsource.com] |
H2O User ID: 243928 United States 07/11/2007 06:58 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Just for laughs, my comment.. If say, a person wanted to have a bug-out plan where they could float away silently in the night. One of these home made balloon rigs would do ! I have often thought of stocking about 200 large balloons and 3 of those 4 1/2 foot tall Helium tanks, and a rock climbing harness set-up.. |