great place to read. great place for lunch. no FAA liscensing. no tree necessary. chicks dig it. [and americans can gloat during their hangtime as ive learned that the USA holds most of the natural Helium reserves worldwide.] other uses: storage, spying, melon bombing, punishing the kids, secure place for cooling pies.
-- gnormal, May 03 2001

Airship FAQ http://www.hotairship.com/faq/index.html
See particularly the question "What is the lift of helium and hot air?" [bookworm, Feb 11 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]

Another way for big sister to tease little brother: cut the tether while he's up there with little Billy Quirkibuttocks from next door.
-- globaltourniquet, May 04 2001


Way cool.

To deal with "accidental" untetherings, maybe have an altitude sensor that causes the helium to slowly vent if the treehouse rises above its allowable airspace?
-- Uncle Nutsy, May 04 2001


Up, up and away in my beautiful ballooooon...
-- Dog Ed, May 04 2001


Maintenance and construction costs are likely to be relatively high for anything that can hold even the tiniest of tree fort cabins.
-- egnor, May 04 2001


why bother tether just balance ballast/gas and float along (not recommended in areas with high winds) could be usefull for both beating the traffic and cutting commuting times

of course you will need to hold your breath to get anything out of the loft
-- chud, Feb 09 2002


Uncle Nutsy: Surely venting the helium will just add to little brother and Billy Quirkybuttocks' problems?
-- kaz, Feb 09 2002


Note that Uncle Nutsy said "slowly vent."
-- snarfyguy, Feb 10 2002


Twas duly noted snarfyguy
-- kaz, Feb 10 2002



random, halfbakery