Ever since Pixar's 'Up,' every child has dreamed of flying with helium balloons. And there's nothing more dream-fulfilling than flying in a house just like Carl's. An IT professional, Jonathan has made this universal dream a reality.
"If you can just get enough helium balloons, could you float away?" The answer is yes! Because Jon did it by flying hundreds of miles with nothing but balloons. An accurate tale of defying adulthood logic and making your youthful dreams come alive.
Jonathan Trappe has a unique hobby of collecting these toy balloons and assembling them. He clusters them for manned flights, attaches them to a harness, and glides away. Inspired by 'Up,' now Jonathan can say he has flown houses too.
But he also reveals to us that pilots or flyers can also use the balloons for expedition-level flights. He and his team reached altitudes more than 20,000 feet above the alps in an open gondola.
Air time and balloon sizes vary broadly. However, he has spent as much as 14 hours floating through the sky. The furthest Jonathan has flown at once is 466 miles. He takes off and cruises away, not knowing where he might end up.
Let's note, however, that the true magic behind this adventure is science. Trappe recognizes the danger of these expeditions since mistakes can lead to dire consequences. His team also works with the Federal Aviation Administration to make sure the aircraft is certified to fly.
So, do not try this at home! (Or with your home). Jonathan Trappe has a pilot license. He also ran tests for over a year before the first flight. It is crucial to note that there is a whole lot of calculation to every flight. While it's fun and exhilarating, it requires a degree of mastery.
