Lawn Chair Larry

[Geof]

This does not have the remotest connection to CNC; how many of you knew about it?

http://www.markbarry.com/lawnchairman.html

[walter]

Truck Driver Takes to Skies in Lawn Chair
From The New York Times 3 July 1982

LONG BEACH, Calif, July 2 (AP) A truck driver with 45 weather balloons rigged to a lawn chair took a 45-minute ride aloft to 16,000 feet today before he got cold, shot some balloons out and crashed into a power line, the police said.

"I know it sounds strange, but it's true," Lieut. Rod Mickelson said after he stopped laughing. "The guy just filled up the balloons with helium, strapped on a parachute, grabbed a BB gun and took off."

The man was identified as Larry Walters, 33 years old, of North Hollywood. He was not injured.

The Federal Aviation Administration was not amused. A regional safety inspector, Neal Savoy, said the flying lawn chair was spotted by Trans World Airlines and Delta Airlines jetliner pilots at 16,000 feet above sea level.

"We know he broke some part of the Federal Aviation Act, and as soon as we decide which part it is, some type of charge will be filed," Mr. Savoy said. "If he had a pilot's license, we'd suspend that. But he doesn't."
_

[Geof]

I remember reading about this in the newspaper and the best part of the story related to the TWA pilot I think. He supposedly radioed the tower and said he had just passed a guy sitting in a lawn chair; when he landed they had a welcoming committee ready to escort him to the funny farm...until they found out he had indeed done just that.

Can you imagine what would happen these days? They would probably sramble all the interceptors and shoot the poor guy down.

[joecnc1234]

That is a great story. The ingenuity of an American to want to fly. I think I will submit this to mythbusters.
Joe
I think they already did it and It wasn't plausible?

[Al_The_Man]

The Urban Legend site claims its true http://www.snopes.com/travel/airline/walters.asp
Al.

[rustamd]

reminds me of the movie "The Astronaut Farmer"

[Geof]

The Urban Legend site claims its true http://www.snopes.com/travel/airline/walters.asp
Al.

Yes it is true but the account you link has a few minor details wrong. What reminded me about was a brief bit on TV showing the amateur movie his friends took of him taking off.

There is another 'Urban Legend' that many people think is also a hoax but which is true: Google "Exploding Whale Florence Oregon". This one was captured on Super 8 movie film, not a media guy I think he has been superimposed. I saw the original film at a private showing to a group of people at convention near Eugene in 1979.

[walter]

I was still laughing this morning. Funniest story ever.

[mr.c]

The Mythbusters guys did do the balloon deal. I just happened to catch it on the Letterman show. Paul Newman was the special guest that night and he took the first ride outside in the street. It did take him up. Of course it was tethered.

[Mitsui Seiki]

What a guy!!
Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

[martinw]

Dear Geof,

I read about the guy a while ago, but thanks for reminding me. The story always makes me smile

I think the gentleman won a Darwin Award in 1997.

You might like this snippet from one of the Darwin Award websites...

" As soon as Larry was hauled to earth, he was arrested by waiting members of the LAPD for violating LAX airspace.

As he was led away in handcuffs, a reporter dispatched to cover the daring rescue asked why he had done it. Larry stopped, turned and replied nonchalantly, "A man can't just sit around." "

Best wishes

Martin

[martinw]

There is lot of other strange and wonderful stuff on this site...

http://www.darwinawards.com/

The Larry Waters story looks like it's true, but a lot of others are be-bunked.

Great stories though.....

Best Wishes

Martin