“Lawn Chair Larry” and the Epic Adventures of Garden Chair Balloon Pilots

The stratospheric heights and shadowy lows of cluster balloon aviation began with the first cluster balloon flights in the 1930s. But the most famous garden chair balloon pilot of all is one Larry Walters. Nicknamed “Lawn Chair Larry” by various media, he was a true grassroots backyard aviation pioneer. On July 2, 1982, Larry launched his Sears lawn chair, christened “Inspiration”, on an epic flight to 16,000 feet. Larry was spotted in his garden chair...