Small helium filled balloon on domestic flight - bursting risk?

[simongr]

Hi all
Just about to board a flight after a wiggles concert nd we still have the small helium filled balloon from the concert. Just wondering in the reduced pressure whether the balloon will pop.
Should we release the balloon into the wild or shouldn't be ok?
Cheers
S

 

[The Rok]

Purely for scientific research can you please take it with you and report the outcome?

Maybe put a blanket or jacket over it in for take off and landing just incase!

 

[markis10]

The gas will expand by 25%, so it will more than likely pop. Releasing a balloon at an airport is not a smart thing to do either.

 

[simongr]

It will be going under the seat in front if it goes..

 

[simongr]

Hmm just about to let the air out.

 

[KitKat]

I suppose you can reinflate it with helium at party supply outlets (if it is still intact)

 

[straitman]

It will be going under the seat in front if it goes..

IF they let it on board.

 

[RWJ777]

I don't think you should let the balloon into the wild under any circumstances; it could get into the water supply and into the gullet of a fish or other. Less seriously, it'll become pollution in someone's backyard or paddock.

 

[drewbles]

The gas will expand by 25%, so it will more than likely pop. Releasing a balloon at an airport is not a smart thing to do either.

If it's a rubber balloon (not a metallic one) it'll be fine. Mythbusters did one and the balloon didn't burst until it reached 20-30k feet (and seeing as an aircraft is pressurised to a low altitude, it should be fine).

I guess putting it in a bag and seeing is one way. It's not a hazardous material.

 

[markis10]

If it's a rubber balloon (not a metallic one) it'll be fine. Mythbusters did one and the balloon didn't burst until it reached 20-30k feet (and seeing as an aircraft is pressurised to a low altitude, it should be fine).

I guess putting it in a bag and seeing is one way. It's not a hazardous material.

Depends on the internal pressure which is unknown, unlike experiments where the pressure is known, so you cannot say it will be fine because it worked on TV!

 

[mannej]

If it's a rubber balloon (not a metallic one) it'll be fine. Mythbusters did one and the balloon didn't burst until it reached 20-30k feet (and seeing as an aircraft is pressurised to a low altitude, it should be fine).

I guess putting it in a bag and seeing is one way. It's not a hazardous material.

Mythbusters don't prove anything...

 

[straitman]

Mythbusters don't prove anything...

..... or disprove much :!:

 

[horseman]

I'd be surprised if they let it on board, I would have thought they have no assurance of the type of gas inside it.

 

[burrco]

No word from the op. Safe to assume he was arrested as a flight risk?

 

[ash.1111]

Not allowed on with DJ.

 

[simongr]

Hmm just about to let the air out.

Yep - air released into the J Lounge - no obvious high pitched talking to indicate an adverse impact on anyone. The major obstacle was the small boy who actually reacted very well to destroying his balloon. Not sure reinflation is an option (or even a word) and a replacement will probably be sourced at the last ever original line up concert in December...

 

[markis10]

A J lounge with everyone talking with a helium pitch would have been interesting on a Sunday!

 

[simongr]

It was pretty quiet at 10AM. Well except for the small boy in the green wiggles T-shirt whose balloon got popped...

 

[TonyHancock]

It was pretty quiet at 10AM. Well except for the small boy in the green wiggles T-shirt whose balloon got popped...

.....but I have met you, I wouldn't describe you as small.

 

[drewbles]

Depends on the internal pressure which is unknown, unlike experiments where the pressure is known, so you cannot say it will be fine because it worked on TV!

Mythbusters don't prove anything...

A very bog standard non-over-inflated balloon.

If you don't believe them, take a helium balloon of the same volume/pressure to the same height as an aircraft is pressurised to. I'll put $10 on it not going boom