Are there limits on releasing store bought balloons into the sky? And can they cause airplane accidents?

Question

Can the average balloon make it to 30,000 ft.? I have never seen any balloons while flying in commercial airliners, and don't think they could ever cause a jet engine any trouble.

Answer 1

if you fill the balloon too much it will burst when the air pressure around it at higher elevations allows it to expand more. if you were to fill it less than completely full, you could partially compensate for this expansion. as for the jet engine troubles, i dont know, but a bird will certainly do a bit if damage to the rotors in there. my father is an air craft mechanic for the air force, and i have heard some stories.

Answer 2

I doubt that there are any limits to releasing store bought balloons.  As the previous answer notes you get a ticket for littering.

No. they can not bring a commercial aircraft down

As helium is lighter than air, and the air pressure is lower at higher altitudes and how much helium you put into the balloon will  be factors as to how high the balloon will get.  The average balloon would never make 30,000 ft, mostly due to wind currents more than anything else.

Answer 3

There's a car dealership off the approach end of the runway in Anchorage. I always see one or two balloons on final. I've even popped one on my prop before.

Answer 4

No, and No..They will pop way before that...If you let a whole bunch go at once you could possibly get a littering ticket if a cop sees you though.

Answer 5

I have personally seen party type balloons at 40,000' in cruise.  Pilots who haven't seen them that high probably aren't looking out the window enough.  

I would guess that the pressure waves around the aircraft would make a direct hit with a balloon very unlikely.  Even if it went straight into the engine at that speed it would disintegrate fast enough not to cause any problems.

I've also hit a large bug at 13,000', made a mess on the windshield... I didn't even know bugs flew that high!