Harry Coumnas Flies to Sahara Desert with A Large Bunch Of Helium-Filled Giant Party Balloons

Inspired by a TV show from 1982, Harry Coumnas a 52 year old chemistry lab owner flew almost 200 miles across the Sahara desert. The most astonishing factor is that he flew in a garden lawn chair rigged with more than 150 helium-filled giant party balloons. After nine hours, he landed at a farmer’s field, about 195 miles from the desert. When you’re laying in the grass on a summer day, and you see the clouds, you wish you could jump on them,” he said. 

Harry Coumnas kept a GPS device to track his location and 5 gallons of water for ballast which helped in controlling ascent by releasing it. He travelled at about 20mph. the landing was equally novel- Mr. Coumnas pulled out a ball-bearing gun and kept shooting balloons until he came down to the ground. When asked about his experience of flying on a lawn chair, he replied, “Things just looked up different from there. The best thing is the peace and serenity. You’re moving so slowly. You can hear a dog bark at 15,000 feet. 

About Harry Coumnas

Harry Coumnas was in news for his balloon flight of almost 195 miles. Attached to his lawn chair with 150 large helium balloons, he was at the 13,000 feet. Amateur instruments helped him to measure speed and altitude and a GPS device to track his location.