Kent Couch is a 47-year-old gas station owner who in July of 2007 flew in a lawnchair elevated by 105 large helium balloons. Using amateur instruments to measure altitude and speed, a GPS device to track his location, and five gallons of water for ballast, he controlled his ascent by releasing water. The flight began in Bend, Oregon and ended in Union, short of Couch's goal of reaching Idaho. Couch's flight resembles a flight by Larry Walters, … Wikipedia
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The Official Kent Couch Cluster Balloon Site. Kent Couch launched at 6:06 AM Saturday morning from his Stop and Go Shell Gas Station in Bend, Oregon in a reinforced lawn chair with his video camera, cell phone, GPS, a knife, and on board snacks. www.couchballoons.com/default.aspx