View Paris from 500 feet – in a balloon

by Scott Carmichael on

Getting a good view of Paris usually involves a trip up the Eiffel Tower, but what if you want to avoid the same view millions of people get every year?

The “Ballon air de Paris” is a massive helium filled balloon, with a basket capable of lifting 30 people at a time.

Unfortunately, it isn’t the kind of balloon that will take you on a tour around the city, it is anchored to the ground by an array of winches and cables. Still, at 150 meters you’ll be up high enough to get a really nice view – and be able to take a photo of the Eiffel Tower from a different angle.

The Ballon air de Paris is located in the Parc André Citroën (of the famous Citroën cars), about a mile downriver from the Eiffel Tower. The walk is of course lovely, but you can also reach the Parc with RER line C to the Javel station.

Admission is 12€ for adults (10€ during the week). Tickets for children are between 6€ and 10€ depending on their age.

Oregon Lawn Chair Pilot Takes Flight

by Justin Glow on

Last weekend, Kent Couch, an Oregon-based gas station owner, lifted into the sky on a lawn chair tethered to 105 helium-filled balloons. With a few snacks, a pellet gun, and a parachute, the chair lifted off and traveled over 193 miles at 13,000 feet before landing nine hours later in eastern Oregon.

“Even at two miles high, Couch said, he could hear cattle lowing and children talking,” according to the AP. “He heard gunshots, which worried him. A black butterfly flew past. He passed through clouds. He said they were fluffy.”

I have a fear of heights, and this is pretty much the ultimate anxiety-inducing situation I could find myself in. Planes don’t bother me, but hot air balloons sure do — even looking at them makes me dizzy. There’s something about standing in a wicker basket tied to some helium-filled fabric with giant torch in the middle that really stresses me. Hanging from some weather balloons in a lawn chair doesn’t sound too much better.

The AP story mentions another lawn chair pilot: Larry Walters, who — in 1982 — rose over 15,000 feet over Los Angeles. Like Couch, Walters used a BB gun to shoot the balloons when he wanted to descend, much to the dismay of a passing pilot. “Walters surprised an airline pilot, who radioed the control tower that he had just passed a guy in a lawn chair with a gun.” [via]

Video: Hindenburg Disaster

by Willy Volk on

Monday morning seems like as good a time as any to discuss a disaster.

The Hindenburg was meant to be one of a fleet of “flying hotels,” noted for their luxury and speed. During its first year of commercial operation, the Hindenburg — at 804, feet, the largest aircraft ever built — transported 2798 passengers across 191,583 miles and completed 17 round-trips across the Atlantic Ocean. However, on May 6, 1937, the hydrogen-filled, duralumin-skinned balloon crashed and burned in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 13 passengers and 22 crew died — most of whom died from leaping from the burning ship. One member of the ground crew died also. Though there are many theories as to what made the dirigible explode, none have been confirmed.

Here is a short clip of Herbert Morrison’s on-the-scene account of the crash. Listen to his voice as he narrates the action on-site, his plaintive cry crescendoing with the words, “I can’t talk ladies and gentlemen…”

[Via Digg]

Ballooning: It’s Not Just Hot Air

by Iva Skoch on

There’s a tranquil valley in central Switzerland that’s a haven for ballooning. Chateau-d’Oex, near Gstaad, known worldwide by balloonists because of a lack of strong winds, and the views can’t hurt either. The first, non-stop, balloon global circumnavigation took off from there in 1999.

You can join the fun: for about $320 bucks per person, Swiss Balloon Flights or Ballon Chateau-d’Oex will take you and 2-4 of your friends on a ride for 90 minutes. Other operators from other locations in Switzerland can be found here.

Don’t think it’s just a summer-time thing either: they operate year-round, and the winter usually offers clearer skies and unbelievable vistas. In fact, the ballooning festival takes place there in late January (1/20-28). Don’t miss the lighted night-time shows!