Everything people ask us in the first month of ownership.
Sourcing helium
Use a local welding-gas or industrial-gas supplier. They sell by the tank and they handle repeat accounts as a matter of routine.
A 200 cubic foot tank runs around $300. For a blimp, the first fill consumes most of a tank on its own, so order with that in mind rather than assuming a tank is a season’s supply.
Reading the balloon
At about one percent loss per day nothing fails suddenly. The envelope softens and the blimp starts to ride lower on its tether.
That sag is your signal. When it stops looking taut from the road it has stopped selling, and that is the point to top off. In practice, every three to seven days.
Wind, and being honest about it
Over 25 miles per hour forecast means bring it in. Larger envelopes catch more wind, so the rule matters more, not less, as size goes up.
Almost every serious loss we hear about traces back to somebody deciding to ride out a forecast. Weather loss is not covered by the replacement warranty, and no manufacturer will cover it.
Indoors
Fifteen feet of clear ceiling is the minimum for a blimp. Below that it cannot float above the crowd, which is the only reason to bring one indoors.
Confirm the venue’s own helium policy before shipping. Some halls restrict it independently of ceiling height.
How high you may fly
Below 150 feet above ground level the FAA is not involved. We fly at 120 feet, deliberately under that line, which keeps the paperwork at zero.
The exception is controlled airspace. Within five miles of it, call the local tower and ask permission. In forty years we have never been denied.
More at usablimps.com.