Page 9 - Aerotech News and Review, December 18, 2020

Larry the Lawn Chair Pilot: Urban legend or true story?

by Bob Alvis goods store and, of course, the local market, Larry’s procure-
special to Aerotech News ment process would put old Uncle Sam to shame. Even food
coupons were used to purchase the necessities for a backyard
When it comes to us men, there is always a constant edge cutting-edge aircraft program.
that is living with us just below the skin level. The goal was simple: his trusty lawn chair would be his
More times than not it’s what can make us great, but it’s cockpit, weather balloons from the local Army-Navy store
also why we can suffer some epic failures. Let’s face it, folks would be his wings, his power would come from the local
— comedian Tim Allen has made a boatload of money making party store with bottles of helium to wing him skyward, one
us laugh at the way men are “wired,” sharing experiences and gallon water bottles would be his controls to assist speed and
the love for extreme things and ideas that any sane man would altitude, and a trusty pellet gun would be the control for de-
know dang well would probably be better off left alone. We scent, with carefully aimed shots at the balloons to start the
guys can all grunt in unison when we see the big and powerful landing process. What could go wrong? He had thought of
or over-the-top experience succeed or go terribly wrong, and just about everything, and probably celebrated with the hiss
deep down inside, no matter the outcome, we would secretly of another can of beer opening and a chug-a-lug!
say ‘heck, I could do that,’ or even worse, ‘if I’d done that, it We all have a friend or two who is a little wild and crazy,
wouldn’t have been a failure!’ and when we see those friends seek adventure or fame by em-
With that being said, it’s time to meet one of those ‘alpha bracing the insane, we’re more than willing to be a part of the
males’ who was not going to let all that testosterone and his experience and share the thrill. Larry’s friends and neighbors
childhood dreams of flight go to waste in a back yard, sucking turned out en masse that fateful morning in 1982, as it looked
down beers and watching games on the weekends. Ladies and like a perfect day to make a bit of history.
gentlemen, let’s have a round of grunts for California’s own As Larry tied his “craft” to the bumper of his jeep and
Larry the Lawn Chair Pilot — one of the most infamous pilots started to fill his balloons, he made a quick inventory of the
of all time! supplies for his “Mission”: Seat belt — check; sandwiches
Larry Walters always dreamed of flying and being a pilot. — check; pellets for pellet gun — check; Radio Shack Air
As a young boy he looked forward to the day when he would Band two-way walkie-talkie — check; beer in small ice chest
break the surly bonds of earth and maybe at least touch the top check; and water-filled plastic bottles — check; binoculars and
of the chimney at his home. Many times he set course, looking camera — check, aviator sunglasses — check, flight suit (well,
to fulfill his dreams of flight, but life and the military never really just a t-shirt and Levis with a windbreaker and boots) —
ended up putting him in a position to soar with the eagles — or check; and last but not least, Larry — check!
even the pigeons. Many times the skies called and one day the Everything was ready to go and there wasn’t a bit of com-
calling was too much for Larry to resist. A desperate plan was mon sense in attendance at the launch facility (aka Larry’s
hatched in his back yard while sitting in his trusty Lawn Chair, back yard), or any friend willing to say ‘what the heck are
more than likely finding inspiration in multiple cans of beer! you doing,’ and then tie him up until he came to his senses!
Forming his own San Pedro back yard into a Tasmanian After Larry had strapped in and a thumbs up was given, an
Devil version of the Skunk Works, Larry hatched a plan and out of sync countdown was started and somewhere between 5
went about gathering the materials that would give him a front and zero, the balloons were released, the rope detached from Courtesy photograph
row seat to the Earth from a safe 30 feet above his house. Trips
to the Army surplus store, the party supply store, the sporting See LAWN CHAIR, Page 10 Larry Walters, The Lawn Chair Pilot.

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