American English Podcast ⭐ Feature: The Incredible Flight of "Lawn Chair" Larry
Aug 14, 2025
Discover the wild tale of Larry Walters, famously known as "Lawn Chair Larry," who turned a simple lawn chair into a flying machine with over 40 weather balloons. His incredible journey to 16,000 feet is filled with humor and inspiration. The discussion dives into the fascinating realm of cluster ballooning and the dreams of flight that spark adventurous spirits. With plenty of quirky details and challenges, it's a hilarious trip through an extraordinary experience!
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From Boyhood Dream To Lawn Chair Flight
- Larry Walters dreamed of flying since childhood and planned a DIY flight using weather balloons and a lawn chair.
- He bought 42 weather balloons, ballast, a BB gun, parachute, and expensive helium funded partly by his girlfriend.
Inspiration One: The Launch Setup
- Larry and his team tied 42 eight-foot weather balloons to an aluminum lawn chair called Inspiration One.
- He added water jugs for ballast and planned to shoot balloons with a BB gun to descend.
Unexpected Launch And Radio Drama
- A gust snapped Larry's tether and he rocketed upward much faster than planned, reaching 1,000 feet per minute.
- He communicated with Carol over CB radio while ascending toward controlled airspace and commercial flights.