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Man Wants to Race Around the World…in a Balloon-Powered Flying Chair

In Pixar’s Up, Carl Fredricksen managed to use helium balloons to fly his house to South America. In South Africa, a British adventurer named Tom Morgan is trying something similar on a much smaller scale. Instead of lifting a home, Morgan and his team at the Adventurists are attempting to fly using 100 helium balloons and a simple camping chair—and maybe even turn it into a race.

But as you can see in this test flight video, it isn’t as easy as it looks.

The Telegraph chronicled Morgan’s initial attempts to make his dream a reality. The original plan was to launch the balloons from Botswana, before disagreeable weather convinced Morgan and his team to retreat to Johannesburg. From there, Morgan was successfully able to travel 15 miles while harnessed to the balloons.

“It was a fairly indescribable feeling, wafting across Africa on a cheap camping chair dangling from a load of balloons,” Morgan told The Telegraph. “Sort of peaceful and terrifying in equal measure.” And if Morgan has his way, he won’t be the only one attempting to make the somewhat perilous flight while journeying around the globe.

Basically: this is much more serious than George Bluth Sr.’s escape from prison in Arrested Development.

“I came here to see if we could organize the world’s most ridiculous air race and after that flight, I’m more convinced than ever that we can,” shared Morgan. This type of travel may not be for the faint of heart, and it probably shouldn’t be attempted by anyone who doesn’t have any relevant experience with daredevil stunts. But we have to admit, it does look fun!

What do you think about Morgan’s attempts to go Up in the air? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Images: The Adventurists

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