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Cluster ballooning is an uncommon form of Ballooning in which a single balloonist is attached by a harness to a cluster of relatively small Helium -inflated rubber balloons. Unlike traditional Hot-air Balloon s, which possess vents for easy altitude control, cluster balloons rise uncontrollably, expanding as they go. Cluster balloonists must periodically cut balloons loose to maintain altitude and descend. Bottled water is a common Ballast , and can be partially emptied to slow descent. One notable cluster balloonist is Larry Walters , who, in 1982 , without any prior ballooning experience, attached 42 Weather Balloon s to a piece of patio furniture and lifted off. Having intended to rise a few hundred feet, he soared nearly three miles into the air. Though cluster ballooning predates Walters, his bizarre feat helped to raise the sport's public profile. Today, one of the most prominent cluster balloonists is John Ninomiya , whose flights have been featured on The Science Channel , The History Channel , TechTV , TLC , and MTV . The Guinness world record for the highest altitude attained cluster ballooning is held by Ian Ashpole, who on October 28, 2001, over Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, UK using 600 toy balloons reached a height of just over 11,000 feet (3,350 meters). However, Larry Walters reached 16,000 feet (almost 4900 m) in 1982 using patio furniture. His record is not recognized because he did not carry a proper altimeter. {Link without Title} OTHER APPLICATIONS Smaller balloon clusters consisting of several toy balloons are sometimes used for creating flying light effects by using them as carrier for Lightstick s or other small light sources. They can be also used for other amateur scientific experiments, such as making aerial photographs or atmospheric measurements. The advantage of small cluster balloons versus bigger balloons is that toy balloons, with or without helium filling, are more readily available than bigger balloons. IN FICTION The movie The Red Balloon , made in France in 1956, ends with a simulated cluster balloon ride as a young boy, having lost his magical red balloon to a gang of vandals, then finds all the other balloons in Paris coming to him. EXTERNAL LINKS
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