Flying an Octopus

A 23-member team of balloon artists, an eight-member flight crew, and countless community members were needed to launch the first ever piloted latex balloon sculpture. Nearly 20,000 animal balloons were twisted together by the hand-picked team of artists from around the US and Canada to create the Fantastic Flying Octopus. Several thousand people showed up to watch the construction and launch of the craft, powered by wind and 10,000 cubic feet of helium. Challenges to be overcome included building the sculpture in a barn with a gravel floor and launching in the afternoon sun, both of which are natural enemies of balloons. Approximately 700 person hours went into the construction of the octopus. The team completed the octopus in 5 days, before the first balloons had a chance to deflate. This first collaboration between pilot John Ninomiya and artist Larry Moss was a success.