Balloon aTicks

kleer001 · Post by **kleer001** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:50 pm

Ok, so, maybe it's not "technically" a structure, but I need some advice anyways.
I've got a itchin to put up a 6' weather balloon for this coming burn, during the day I'd like to fly a flag from it and during the evening I'd like to fly it with LEDs in it. Any advice? Any balloon anecdotes?
specefic questions:
- What do I fill it with? <helium, right?>
- How do I secure it?
- How high can I fly it?
- What do I use for string?
- How do I get it back down?
- What dangers am I imposing on my neighbors?
- How long do latex baloons last above the playa?
- What am I forgetting?

thanks,
Clear

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 9:10 pm

kleer001 wrote:....What am I forgetting?

That a lot of them tend to blow into the trash fence?

centrifuge · Post by **centrifuge** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 5:35 pm

yeah, if it wasn't for all those 6' weather ballons that always blow into the trash fences I might have had a better time last year.

I say keep its altitude reasonable and secure it with steel cabling or high-test rappeling rope and you should be fine. You'll probably want the main anchor for this to be an automobile or something of that integrity.

I bet 4 cars, placed in 4 corners of an imaginary square, parked about 50+ feet apart with a single cable/rope each to secure the balloon....you'd be good to go.

Also think about WHAT IF one of those guy lines were to rip off violently during one of the daily wind storms....is it going to swing around & decapitate your neighbor? You don't want to be "That Guy" who was involved in another (avoidable) playa death. Once again, keeping its altitude reasonable will allow for short rope lenght (AND better anchoring angles) & it will also keep the number of serious injuries due to massive lacerations & amputations down a bit.

I'm diggin on all this airborne art that I think we'll be treated to this year! Keep it up.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 12:08 am

centrifuge wrote:....I bet 4 cars, placed in 4 corners of an imaginary square, parked about 50+ feet apart with a single cable/rope each to secure the balloon....you'd be good to go....

Almost.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 9:45 am

I find if you make a flag-type pole (well braced of course) that sticks above the motorhomes and put a flashing light or two on it, you can pick it out after a little practice from almost anywhere on the Playa (you would think this would be hard with all of the lights, but it is not). I use the emergency strobes, they run for a week or more without having to turn them off during the day. regards, Jafe

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:51 am

Lots of good beacon ideas under "Blinky Things" thread, too.

Balloon aTicks

Are baloons usefull for navigation at Burningman?

Balloon aTicks

Re: Balloon aTicks