Object Details
Physical Description
Lawn chair with 13 plastic gallon water jugs and four ropes attached to frame
Summary
Forty-two helium-filled weather balloons lifted Larry Walters in this aluminum lawn chair from San Pedro, California, on July 2, 1982. Walters reached 16,000 feet (4,880 meters), drifting into the controlled airspace surrounding Los Angeles International Airport. Commercial pilots reported sighting him to the tower.
Facing freezing temperatures and lower oxygen levels, Walters popped balloons with a BB gun to establish a controlled descent. The Federal Aviation Administration charged him with violating controlled airspace, flying without a balloon license, and operating a non-airworthy craft.
Credit Line
Gift of Jerry Fleck, the "neighborhood kid" Larry Walters gave his lawnchair to after landing.
Inventory Number
A20181388000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
CRAFT-Balloon Parts
Materials
Plastic
Paint
Non-Magnetic Metal
Adhesive Tape
Copper Alloy
Nylon
Paper
Ink
Dimensions
3-D (with water jugs): 90.2 × 69.8 × 79.4cm, 7.7kg (2 ft. 11 1/2 in. wide × 2 ft. 3 1/2 in. deep × 2 ft. 7 1/4 in. tall, 17lb.)
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Exhibition
Thomas W. Haas We All Fly
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A20181388000