Unfortunately he had no control on the decent and the balloons draped over power lines, blacking out a Long Beach neighbourhood. Fortunately he had a plan, this was to burst the balloons with his trusty pellet gun and thus descend gracefully back to earth. Once the shock and the novelty wore off, Larry started to get cold. Unfortunately, or on reflection, fortunately he was in an air traffic lane and at least two airline pilots spotted him and contacted the Federal Aviation Administration. He took a camera but later admitted, that he was so paralysed by the view I didn't take any pictures.Īs a truck driver, Larry had no pilot or balloon training, so it was all a big adventure when the chair soared three miles high to 16,000 feet.
#Man on the moon pictures lawn chair portable#
Larry prepared for his flight by packing a bottle of soda, a parachute and a portable CB radio to alert air traffic to his presence. Two assistants then launched his chair by untying the Guy ropes. He then filled the balloons by pumping in helium. What happened was Larry joined 42 weather grade balloons to an aluminium lawn chair. Susan Couch, Kent's wife, said she's thinking about saying no to another trip but added, 'This way, at least he's fulfilled his dream.' Aircraft Hits Four Buildingsīe prepared, this is tough to watch, and it illustrates the dangers of attending outdoor events such as air shows.Īir Show Disaster - Amazing photo shows great detail. He was able to pop enough balloons to set the craft down, although he suffered rope burns and once he was down, he jumped out, and the wind grabbed his gear, chair and remaining balloons, sweeping all aloft. Concerned about the rugged terrain outside La Grande, including Hells Canyon, Couch decided to come back to earth. Couch stopped when he was down to a gallon of water and just eight pounds of ballast. The balloons had a new configuration, so it was easier to reach up and release a bit of helium instead of simply cutting off a balloon. This was Couch's second flight so he was well prepared. Couch, 47, is the latest American to emulate Larry Walters, who in 1982 rose three miles above Los Angeles in a lawn chair lifted by balloons. But he was 193 miles from home, in a farmer's field near Union, having crossed much of Oregon at 11,000 feet and higher. His destination was Idaho.Īlmost nine hours later, Couch was short of Idaho. He also had instruments to measure his altitude and speed and about four plastic bags holding five gallons of water each to act as a ballast, he was able to turn a spigot, release water and rise. Couch carried a global positioning system device, a two-way radio, a digital camcorder and a cell phone.
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