by Jered Slusher

Created on: July 12, 2008   Last Updated: July 15, 2008

Imagine the thrill of flying in the air while sitting in a lawn chair attached to hundreds of colorful helium filled balloons. The popularity of this unique event, aptly named cluster ballooning, has grown significantly over the past several years. A number of groups have formed and are devoted to organizing cluster balloon flights and races. Some cities host balloon fairs where cluster balloonists come to demonstrate the unusual and majestic flights.

Learning to fly a lawn chair attached to hundreds of helium filled balloons is no easy task. Most of the pilots hold years of experience flying hot air balloons. Many of them are also licensed airplane pilots. Flying cluster balloons takes a great deal of control, focus, training and preparation.

Before a cluster balloon flight can take place, a specialized team blow up the balloons with helium and tie them off to sandbags. Then the balloons are meticulously attached to the harness so that the strings do not get entangled. Then the pilot is harnessed and tethered to the ground. Many cluster balloonists take extra precautionary measures and fly with an emergency parachute. The pilot is typically loaded with bottles of water or sand which will help control the ascent and descent, and an altimeter which will give crucial altitude readings.

Also, pilots need to know air traffic laws in the states they are flying in. Larry Walters, a cluster balloonist that drew lots of media attention for the height of his cluster balloon flights, was fined $1,500 in 1982 for violating air traffic control laws. Knowing where the landing zone is, and having a map of the area is important. Before taking flight the pilot takes special caution to ensure all bases are covered and everything is in working order. When ready for flight, the pilot is held to the ground and pours some water or sand out to get some lift to the balloon. The crew releases the pilot from the ground and the pilot takes flight.

Unlike hot air balloons, cluster balloons have no ventilation system to control altitude. The balloons rise uncontrollably and many pilots rely on the bottled water or sand to counterbalance the ascent. The pilots prevent themselves from going too high by bursting the balloons or pouring out some of the sand or water used as a ballast. As well, The suns energy allows for the heating up and expansion of the balloons, which will cause the balloon to rise in altitude. A lot of cluster balloonists prefer to fly in the morning to prevent uncontrollable ascension.

Many balloonists test the wind before they fly too. Flying during a windy day is dangerous, and trained balloonists know the extreme risks of high winds. Cluster balloonists will use slight winds, however, to help better steer their cluster balloon craft.

When coming in for a landing, it is important that the pilot land in an open field or pasture. Typically the pilot will attempt to level out just before landing. Some times the pilot must burst or release balloons to stop from dragging. After the flight, most balloons are popped. Some balloons are sturdy enough to be re-used.

The future of cluster ballooning looks very positive. Balloonists such as Kent Couch have garnered recent media attention for the increasing lengths of his flights. One group called "States of Enlightenment" from clusterballoon.org have been traveling across the country in an effort to bring cluster ballooning to every state in America. So far, the group has managed to fly in 38 states. As long as cluster ballooning interest continues to rise, expect cluster balloonists to push boundaries and set new records with their unique and intriguing flights.

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