So a few days ago, actually last weekend, my aunt and uncle where riding in a hot air balloon and it crashed. I'm not exactly sure how but they hit the ground pretty hard and broke both of their legs, quite a few ribs and got moderate burns from the balloon catching on fire upon impact. They both need surgery to help set bones and stuff like that, but they will be ok. Almost is bad is we cannot tell my grandmother, she is a heavy worrier and we are afraid that if she knows the extent of it she will go into a downward spiral of depression. It just came as a shock to me that something so innocent as a balloon is statistically more dangerous than an airplane (at least thats what the FAA said when they called). Seems like i have gotten a slightly better understanding at how dangerous just living is. What a rush man! (lol).
Dayum, hope they get well soon.
I wouldn't have thought floating around at 10 mph would be that dangerous but there you have it.
I wouldn't have thought floating around at 10 mph would be that dangerous but there you have it.
I'll be jumping out of an airplane with a parachute in about 4 weeks (again).
Go me!
Go me!
Woot. Make sure you don't hit any hot air baloons on the way down.KEN-JENNINGS wrote:
I'll be jumping out of an airplane with a parachute in about 4 weeks (again).
Go me!
I almost laughed in my moms face when she told me; I thought she was kidding lol
Having your parachute replaced with silverware: priceless. At least in the cartoons it is.
Having your parachute replaced with silverware: priceless. At least in the cartoons it is.
Anvils too.irishtop wrote:
I almost laughed in my moms face when she told me; I thought she was kidding lol
Having your parachute replaced with silverware: priceless. At least in the cartoons it is.
Relevant to our interests:
Wasn't the highest jump ever out of a weather balloon at about 110,000 feet? Yeah, I think it was.Ollie wrote:
Relevant to our interests:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kit … _ExcelsiorKEN-JENNINGS wrote:
Wasn't the highest jump ever out of a weather balloon at about 110,000 feet? Yeah, I think it was.Ollie wrote:
Relevant to our interests:
Wikipedia wrote:
On August 16, 1960 he made the final jump from the Excelsior III at 102,800 feet (31,330 m). Towing a small drogue chute for stabilization, he fell for 4 minutes and 36 seconds reaching a maximum speed of 614 mph (989 km/h) before opening his parachute at 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Pressurization for his right glove malfunctioned during the ascent, causing his hand to swell. He set records for highest balloon ascent, highest parachute jump, longest drogue-fall (14 min) and fastest speed by a man through the atmosphere.
SourceSource wrote:
Holladay, April.
Sky diving from the edge of space, boiling ostrich eggs. USA Today, 10 January 2003.
"On Aug. 16, 1960, Kittinger set the world's record (which remains unbroken) for the longest (19.5 miles) and fastest (4 minutes and 36 seconds) skydive. He reported his experience in National Geographic. His epic dive started from a helium balloon that he floated to an altitude of 102,800 feet (31,330 m). This high, the sky is black and the Sun intense."
EDIT: GTFO Cowami!
Last edited by Ollie (2008-04-03 19:39:37)
When I went we jumped at 12,500 and opened the chute at 5,000. Still a rush. This time I'm taking the 5 hour class so I can jump alone
Nice man.
Imagine what kind of rush this Kittinger fella felt? Falling 30,000 in 4 minutes.
Imagine what kind of rush this Kittinger fella felt? Falling 30,000 in 4 minutes.
I want to go jumping. Its gotta be like the biggest rush ever. Riding roller coasters for the most part doesnt cut it
Haha, yeah. I'm too pussy myself to even think about trying it. Maybe some time...not just yet.irishtop wrote:
I want to go jumping. Its gotta be like the biggest rush ever. Riding roller coasters for the most part doesnt cut it
its boring but its worth it for your B licenseKEN-JENNINGS wrote:
When I went we jumped at 12,500 and opened the chute at 5,000. Still a rush. This time I'm taking the 5 hour class so I can jump alone
I went sky diving once but now theres no way I got the balls to go hot air balloon riding. No sir! No way! Not me man...I'll stick to a parachute not a huge balloon that bursts into flames on impact covering me in burns on top of the broken bones. GAWD! My prayers go out to your extended family man.
Last edited by eaglecorps (2008-04-03 21:00:48)
And if you like it you can move up a C license. DZ are great places, always tons of fun.
Sorry but is your real name Henry Gale?
And where did you bury your wife?
Did your balloon have a happy face on it?
Can you draw me a map to it?
^----Sorry could not resist.
And where did you bury your wife?
Did your balloon have a happy face on it?
Can you draw me a map to it?
^----Sorry could not resist.
The_Lance_117 wrote:
Sorry but is your real name Henry Gale?
And where did you bury your wife?
Did your balloon have a happy face on it?
Can you draw me a map to it?
^----Sorry could not resist.
Theres acctually two pancakes there...
Rofl, its from LOSTSEREMAKER wrote:
http://my.bzflag.org/resources/images/wtf.pngThe_Lance_117 wrote:
Sorry but is your real name Henry Gale?
And where did you bury your wife?
Did your balloon have a happy face on it?
Can you draw me a map to it?
^----Sorry could not resist.
Last edited by The_Lance_117 (2008-04-03 22:18:51)
watThe_Lance_117 wrote:
Rofl, its from LOSTSEREMAKER wrote:
http://my.bzflag.org/resources/images/wtf.pngThe_Lance_117 wrote:
Sorry but is your real name Henry Gale?
And where did you bury your wife?
Did your balloon have a happy face on it?
Can you draw me a map to it?
^----Sorry could not resist.
Um. LOST. You know. The show 1/3 of all people watch.Ollie wrote:
watThe_Lance_117 wrote:
Rofl, its from LOST
Have you been living in a cave for the last 4 years?