Fort Collins boy in loose aircraft - The Orange Mane

bronclvr · 10-15-2009, 11:51 AM

Have you guys been following this? It's nuts, they say he could go as high as 10,000 feet!

Rescuers are tracking and chasing a "homemade flying saucer" that is in flight with a 6-year-old, by himself, on board.

The incident started this morning in Fort Collins when the boy got into the balloon-like device, which was built by an adult, and it came loose from a tether, according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.

The contraption could rise as high as 10,000 feet, the sheriff's office said.

The home-made flying saucer was last seen in flight over Weld County.

The sheriff's office is working the Federal Aviation Administration to determine how to best get the boy down.

Mike Fergus, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration in Seattle, said they've asked the pilot of the 9News

The homemade airplane was tethered in Fort Collins when the boy got onboard and it floated away. (Lisa Ecklund via 9News)helicopter on the scene to relay the position and altitude of the balloon to the FAA"s "terminal radar approach control" at Denver International Airport.

He said that the FAA may not be able to track the balloon on radar because of low altitude and the texture of the balloon's material.

Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13568863

here's Live Video:

javascript:vPlayer('22887392','c9b48be5-56b5-492b-9fe6-45214baa8b7c')

theAPAOps5 · 10-15-2009, 11:57 AM

First question: What the fuc is a parent thinking letting a 6 year old get near a home built flying machine by himself.

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 11:59 AM

Damn.

there isn't an easy way to rescue this kid. skydive down using a full canopy and hope for the best.

talk about liability issues for the owner of this homemade deathtrap.

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McApaOps5

First question: What the fuc is a parent thinking letting a 6 year old get near a home built flying machine by himself.

You got 'em on radar?

theAPAOps5 · 10-15-2009, 12:00 PM

Turned on my radio at work. Airport Ops is reporting that he is 1.5 miles north of the airport.

bronclvr · 10-15-2009, 12:00 PM

He sure seems to moving fast-

theAPAOps5 · 10-15-2009, 12:00 PM

They are tracking him.

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 12:01 PM

one big concern would be the winds and temps aloft.

It's got to be brutal at 10000+ and once he gains more altitude there's the issue of oxygen depletion.

Pseudofool · 10-15-2009, 12:03 PM

This is nuts. How cold is it up there? How is he going to land? How does a kid get into a balloon and take off without anyone knowing it?

Nuts.

theAPAOps5 · 10-15-2009, 12:03 PM

But the cold air would also greatly reduce the effectiveness of the helium and he would lower. Hope he is still in it and didn't panic. Its a scary and sad story though.

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 12:06 PM

Wich airport. Broomfield?

theAPAOps5 · 10-15-2009, 12:07 PM

No Denver International Airport and sorry I misspoke he is 14 miles north of the airport.

Pseudofool · 10-15-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McApaOps5

Hope he is still in it and didn't panic.

You think he fell out and noone knows it yet?

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McApaOps5

No Denver International Airport and sorry I misspoke he is 14 miles north of the airport.

SOB, time to shut down arrivals and departures.

Damnit, this can't be good.

Pseudofool · 10-15-2009, 12:11 PM

CNN is reporting that the boy may have already fallen out.

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McApaOps5

No Denver International Airport and sorry I misspoke he is 14 miles north of the airport.

That's in the glidepath of incoming heavy, isn't it?

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudofool

CNN is reporting that the boy may have already fallen out.

Just made my hair stand up. Hope he's ok.

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 12:17 PM

http://www.9news.com/video/player_live_2.aspx

That thing is Hauling Ass

Pseudofool · 10-15-2009, 12:18 PM

So far only a sibling has seen that the boy has gone in the balloon; I wonder if it will end up being an elaborate prank.

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudofool

So far only a sibling has seen that the boy has gone in the balloon; I wonder if it will end up being an elaborate prank.

One can hope. The speed of the winds aloft will make a rescue very difficult if not impossible

Pseudofool · 10-15-2009, 12:20 PM

Expert on CNN says it appears to him that the balloon is empty. "Not much of payload aboard" I.e. the balloon wouldn't be shifting side to side like it is...

TailgateNut · 10-15-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudofool

Expert on CNN says it appears to him that the balloon is empty. "Not much of payload aboard" I.e. the balloon wouldn't be shifting side to side like it is...

Here we go with the experts. I'm currently at around 8000 feet and the winds have been gusting at 30mph+ most of the day. A six yr old kid doesn't weigh much.

theAPAOps5 · 10-15-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

That's in the glidepath of incoming heavy, isn't it?

airplanes are taking off to the North. FAA was turning them out immediately to avoid the area. Looks like he wasn't inside.

10-15-2009, 11:51 AM	#1
bronclvr Ring of Famer She is faster than you! 8.39 @ 156 Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,996	Fort Collins boy in loose aircraft Have you guys been following this? It's nuts, they say he could go as high as 10,000 feet! Rescuers are tracking and chasing a "homemade flying saucer" that is in flight with a 6-year-old, by himself, on board. The incident started this morning in Fort Collins when the boy got into the balloon-like device, which was built by an adult, and it came loose from a tether, according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. The contraption could rise as high as 10,000 feet, the sheriff's office said. The home-made flying saucer was last seen in flight over Weld County. The sheriff's office is working the Federal Aviation Administration to determine how to best get the boy down. Mike Fergus, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration in Seattle, said they've asked the pilot of the 9News The homemade airplane was tethered in Fort Collins when the boy got onboard and it floated away. (Lisa Ecklund via 9News)helicopter on the scene to relay the position and altitude of the balloon to the FAA"s "terminal radar approach control" at Denver International Airport. He said that the FAA may not be able to track the balloon on radar because of low altitude and the texture of the balloon's material. Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com. http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13568863 here's Live Video: javascript:vPlayer('22887392','c9b48be5-56b5-492b-9fe6-45214baa8b7c') Last edited by bronclvr; 10-15-2009 at 11:53 AM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-15-2009, 11:57 AM	#2
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,145 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	First question: What the fuc is a parent thinking letting a 6 year old get near a home built flying machine by himself.

10-15-2009, 11:59 AM	#3
TailgateNut Bleedin' orange! .......as much as tebonites Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mile High Posts: 20,018 Adopt-a-Bronco: Howard Griffith	Damn. there isn't an easy way to rescue this kid. skydive down using a full canopy and hope for the best. talk about liability issues for the owner of this homemade deathtrap.

10-15-2009, 12:00 PM	#5
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,145 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	Turned on my radio at work. Airport Ops is reporting that he is 1.5 miles north of the airport.

10-15-2009, 12:01 PM	#8
TailgateNut Bleedin' orange! .......as much as tebonites Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mile High Posts: 20,018 Adopt-a-Bronco: Howard Griffith	one big concern would be the winds and temps aloft. It's got to be brutal at 10000+ and once he gains more altitude there's the issue of oxygen depletion.

10-15-2009, 12:03 PM	#9
Pseudofool Cynic at Large Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Kingdom of Solipsism Posts: 2,893 Adopt-a-Bronco: Me?	This is nuts. How cold is it up there? How is he going to land? How does a kid get into a balloon and take off without anyone knowing it? Nuts.

10-15-2009, 12:06 PM	#11
TailgateNut Bleedin' orange! .......as much as tebonites Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mile High Posts: 20,018 Adopt-a-Bronco: Howard Griffith	Wich airport. Broomfield?

10-15-2009, 12:07 PM	#12
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,145 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	No Denver International Airport and sorry I misspoke he is 14 miles north of the airport.

10-15-2009, 12:11 PM	#15
Pseudofool Cynic at Large Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Kingdom of Solipsism Posts: 2,893 Adopt-a-Bronco: Me?	CNN is reporting that the boy may have already fallen out.

10-15-2009, 12:17 PM	#18
TailgateNut Bleedin' orange! .......as much as tebonites Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mile High Posts: 20,018 Adopt-a-Bronco: Howard Griffith	http://www.9news.com/video/player_live_2.aspx That thing is Hauling Ass

10-15-2009, 12:18 PM	#19
Pseudofool Cynic at Large Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Kingdom of Solipsism Posts: 2,893 Adopt-a-Bronco: Me?	So far only a sibling has seen that the boy has gone in the balloon; I wonder if it will end up being an elaborate prank.

10-15-2009, 12:20 PM	#21
Pseudofool Cynic at Large Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Kingdom of Solipsism Posts: 2,893 Adopt-a-Bronco: Me?	Expert on CNN says it appears to him that the balloon is empty. "Not much of payload aboard" I.e. the balloon wouldn't be shifting side to side like it is...