How much helium does it take to lift a person?

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  • čas přidán 11. 09. 2022
  • The Aéroplume, in France, is a helium blimp sized for one person. €60 gets you half an hour's flight. I had to try it. ■ More about Aéroplume: aeroplume.fr ■ This isn't sponsored: I paid for my flight at the normal price, I was the one to contact them asking permission, and Aéroplume had no editorial control. I am, however, amazed that in the ten years this has been going, no-one's ever told me about it before!
    Edited by Michelle Martin / mrsmmartin
    🟥 MORE FROM TOM: www.tomscott.com/
    (you can find contact details and social links there too)
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Komentáře • 5K

  • @TomScottGo
    @TomScottGo  Před rokem +14698

    Apologies for the creaking noises here: they weren't that loud in person, it's just that lavalier microphones don't work that well when lying down!

  • @michael_gibbs
    @michael_gibbs Před rokem +3496

    I'm surprised to see no one's talking about what good value for money this is - 60 euro is a fantastic price for a once in a lifetime thing like this. I'm going to have to try this at least once before I die, it looks so amazing.

    • @treelineresearch3387
      @treelineresearch3387 Před rokem +180

      Probably because if you're not within a day's travel by rail to France you have to factor in "vacation to France". Still a cheaper way to float around than the $8000 2 hour flight on the civilian "vomit comet" doing parabolas though.

    • @DHealey
      @DHealey Před rokem +268

      Not once in a lifetime if you have 120 Euros :)

    • @torinlupo807
      @torinlupo807 Před rokem +57

      @@DHealey 180 euroes:

    • @Tao_Tology
      @Tao_Tology Před rokem +35

      @@torinlupo807 You go to far, sir or madam.

    • @Mgooy
      @Mgooy Před rokem +18

      If it's a fantastic price for once in a lifetime, does that mean if you go again its a ripoff

  • @shinyagumon7015
    @shinyagumon7015 Před rokem +12847

    I love how this and the robotic elephant create an unintended subseries of "French people recreating Jules Verne concepts in real life". Can't wait to learn about more steampunk adventures I could do for my next French holiday.

    • @cartoonfantasy4541
      @cartoonfantasy4541 Před rokem +37

      What is a Jules Verne concept?

    • @grIMAG3
      @grIMAG3 Před rokem +382

      @@cartoonfantasy4541 Jules Verne is the father of science fiction.

    • @shinyagumon7015
      @shinyagumon7015 Před rokem +220

      @@cartoonfantasy4541 You know the old science fiction author who made such classics as "2000 Leagues under the Sea" or "Around the World in 80 Days".

    • @maloxster
      @maloxster Před rokem +171

      @@cartoonfantasy4541 Jules Verne is a French writer and author, one of many references in French Literature. His writings were often based on scientific progress of the times (XIXth to XXth century). He wrote "Around The World in 80 Days", "Twenty-thousand Leagues Under The Sea" and the series "Voyages extraordinaires".
      And as a concept, it would be objects inspired by that era, kind of steampunk-like. Like the Nautilus for example.

    • @Julia_and_the_City
      @Julia_and_the_City Před rokem +62

      Can't wait for Tom to visit Iraq to see whatever remains of Project Babylon
      EDIT: oh wait, French people. Is there a Frenchman who has invented a gun that can shoot people towards the moon yet?

  • @chasehardison6743
    @chasehardison6743 Před rokem +471

    I love how he filters through viewers by just straight up answering the question. Like "now you're just here to see me!"

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 Před rokem +2

      imagine how much it takes to lift you in your Vehicle🤔

    • @Amen-Magi
      @Amen-Magi Před 13 dny

      😂

  • @marumisu9560
    @marumisu9560 Před rokem +61

    This seems more like everyone's dream of flying than those car drones or jetpacks. On the drone cars or a jetpacks you're kind of constantly stressed and worried about accidentally hitting something, but this is more like a dream where you're just being lifted up and enjoying it.

    • @seanbigay1042
      @seanbigay1042 Před 4 měsíci +3

      ... which is why I asked if any Aeroplume customer's fallen asleep while in harness. Pity they don't dare take these flimsy things out of the hangar ...

  • @Keymaster2022
    @Keymaster2022 Před rokem +2616

    Makes the title a question, immediantly answers the question, then provides entertainment for the duration of the video.
    Tom Scott is a CZcamsr like no other.

    • @BastiPROTON
      @BastiPROTON Před rokem +110

      Like anti-clickbait. Love it.

    • @Shywizz
      @Shywizz Před rokem +28

      Daily dose of internet also kind of does this, can't think of anyone else though so you are right.

    • @gcahbm
      @gcahbm Před rokem +6

      And i love it! Never liked a video so fast like this.

    • @carlhallstrom4867
      @carlhallstrom4867 Před rokem +11

      It is a welcome change from the long, drawn-out let downs.

    • @tanelehala6422
      @tanelehala6422 Před rokem +9

      But before we dive into that I would like to introduce to the sponsor of this video...

  • @jobeedobyyyclobeelobyy8786
    @jobeedobyyyclobeelobyy8786 Před rokem +3218

    Imagine hearing an air raid siren and then seeing an army of Tom Scott balloons come from behind the clouds. Someone needs to make a movie about that.

    • @user2C47
      @user2C47 Před rokem +33

      Very easy to take out with AAA.

    • @KeVIn-pm7pu
      @KeVIn-pm7pu Před rokem +37

      @@user2C47 Not for Londoners at the Start at wwI

    • @craigjensen6853
      @craigjensen6853 Před rokem +45

      What would he drop? A deuce?

    • @jennymunday7913
      @jennymunday7913 Před rokem +122

      The army would just slowly and joyfully paddle over to tell you new facts XD

    • @vive335
      @vive335 Před rokem +3

      Bruh 😂

  • @engliships2126
    @engliships2126 Před rokem +364

    tom's living the life. he gets to have once in a lifetime experiences on a weekly basis and get paid

    • @makingmach7
      @makingmach7 Před 9 měsíci +3

      _Thy shall read the description_

    • @lemmmakestunes8312
      @lemmmakestunes8312 Před 9 měsíci

      imprecise words

    • @outandabout259
      @outandabout259 Před 9 měsíci +10

      @@makingmach7 even though he didn't get paid by them to fly the blimp, the video will pay for the expenses. So yes, he gets to have once in a lifetime experiences every week and gets paid for it.

    • @makingmach7
      @makingmach7 Před 9 měsíci +1

      @@outandabout259 👍

    • @YHK_YT
      @YHK_YT Před 4 měsíci +1

      And now it’s his time off

  • @Brubarov
    @Brubarov Před rokem +22

    It makes me wanna cry to think that almost 250 years ago people would draw sketches of such machines but never could saw it come true, nor fly them. And now we can.

    • @caseydriscoll5331
      @caseydriscoll5331 Před 5 měsíci +1

      The French actually pioneered hot air ballooning right around that time! Montgolfier brothers in 1783 at Versailles! The French love their dirigeables.

    • @Bob-pd1wf
      @Bob-pd1wf Před 3 měsíci

      These have been around for hundreds of years.
      100s of different FREE flying machines hidden from the masses so they can charge us for fuel and garbage polluting ways of travel.
      It's all about money.

  • @greenmt1100
    @greenmt1100 Před rokem +15134

    Tom has accomplished his lifelong dream of becoming an airship, congrats Tom!

  • @gavinmendonza
    @gavinmendonza Před rokem +2017

    I really like the stark contrast between Tom freaking out about standing on a metal mesh up high, but also not freaking out about literally floating by a helium balloon. Great video as always, this is definitely now on my bucket list!

    • @basketcase1235
      @basketcase1235 Před rokem +146

      i guess it's the difference between "i can fall from this height" and "I can fly this high". I for one also have a fear of heights, but strangely enough it's because i might try to jump when I'm high up, and the fear comes when you realize you can't fly.

    • @ashurean
      @ashurean Před rokem +80

      I mean, on a mesh you're aware that you're standing on a lot of tiny cables, you recognize the fragility of what's holding you up even though the cables could probably support 10x more than you weigh without a problem. Meanwhile, the balloon feels relatively safe because it's so large.

    • @PointB1ank
      @PointB1ank Před rokem +45

      Same reason the edge of buildings scares the hell out of me but I can ride a roller coaster that goes twice as high just fine. It's the falling, not the heights.

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem +28

      So much fear is just about a feeling of control.

    • @howard5992
      @howard5992 Před rokem +34

      among the other good replies I would like to add that the balloon has a cradle - the web that supports the entire body. That provides a sense of security. When standing upright there can be a sense of " potential instability ".

  • @ToninFightsEntropy
    @ToninFightsEntropy Před rokem +50

    I really respect you opening the video with the answer for anybody who wanted to find out quickly! Though I am definitely here for the whole video :)

  • @TheOfficialDjProduct
    @TheOfficialDjProduct Před rokem +31

    This is now on my list of things to see/do in France if I ever end up going there. Very cool video Tom and a big thanks to all those who make such a fun, scientific activity available.

    • @dannyboy4682
      @dannyboy4682 Před rokem +1

      From the website: Flights at Écausseville suspended until further notice (helium crisis)
      I think w3 caught this too late

  • @unoriginalname4426
    @unoriginalname4426 Před rokem +702

    Love how he doesn’t beat around the bush. Just walks into frame and tells you the answer. Amazing.

    • @Soken50
      @Soken50 Před rokem +125

      He has transcended clickbait, he gave it away so quick you feel compelled to stay just to hear more :D

    • @khalilahd.
      @khalilahd. Před rokem +16

      Lmfao exactly. Love that about him

    • @terencemichaels
      @terencemichaels Před rokem +15

      Refreshing, isn't it.

    • @xerxeskingofking
      @xerxeskingofking Před rokem +34

      he has confidence that the rest of his video is enough to keep us interested, so he doesn't feel the need to string us along..

    • @ugoboom
      @ugoboom Před rokem +10

      yep theres a sizeable amount of good quality youtubers that practice ethical clickbait. there's even adam neely who puts the answers to the clickbait title, in the thumbnail, which is hilarious and awesome

  • @brianllamas3719
    @brianllamas3719 Před rokem +1

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING THE QUESTION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO, AND ADDING EVERYTHING ELSE AFTER

  • @poisoninfrance3003
    @poisoninfrance3003 Před rokem +1

    Thanks Tom... your experience is so inspiring and fresh to the soul! Thanks again for your work.

  • @whenyoucantfindaname
    @whenyoucantfindaname Před rokem +6516

    Tom at this point is just the physical embodiment of that one random ass thought that appears in your brain

    • @kathybramley5609
      @kathybramley5609 Před rokem +84

      You meant "of our dreams"

    • @In.Darkness
      @In.Darkness Před rokem +231

      Have you heard about the helium shortage?
      It's only gotten worse with inflation.

    • @thechiliman500
      @thechiliman500 Před rokem +105

      @@In.Darkness Thanks dad.

    • @tirushone6446
      @tirushone6446 Před rokem +47

      "Babe what are you thinking about?"
      Tom Scott "Brb going to The Aéroplume, France." *leaves*

    • @kathybramley5609
      @kathybramley5609 Před rokem +4

      @@In.Darkness We need to use hydrogen for blimps. It can be just as safe. And/or somehow repurpose ITER to make helium!

  • @uknowngamer1017
    @uknowngamer1017 Před rokem +3053

    Can we just stop and thank the instructor. He did a very good job explaining the mechanics of the blimp 👍 as well as instructing Tom from what we can see

    • @Tequila4Two
      @Tequila4Two Před rokem +99

      I also liked the colour of his shirt.

    • @scottcantdance804
      @scottcantdance804 Před rokem +76

      The instructor was great, I enjoyed listening to him. He had great explanations.
      Thanks instructor guy, you added a lot to this video 👍

    • @djsomeguy
      @djsomeguy Před rokem +122

      He actually knew the physics of it too, not just someone who is repeating instructions, someone that actually understands what's going on.

    • @TCRYTV
      @TCRYTV Před rokem +91

      In his second language, too! I can't explain aerodynamics in English and I've been speaking it since birth

    • @qasagod
      @qasagod Před rokem +13

      Lovely accent too, I could listen to his instructions all day!

  • @dayaksrae7390
    @dayaksrae7390 Před rokem +1

    I like seeing him happy, especially because he works hard to give us such great videos

  • @TerroxNL79
    @TerroxNL79 Před rokem +6

    Added to my bucketlist! Respect for the instructor! He explains how to operate perfectly and one will feel completely safe.

    • @dannyboy4682
      @dannyboy4682 Před rokem

      From the website: Flights at Écausseville suspended until further notice (helium crisis)

  • @h.a.9880
    @h.a.9880 Před rokem +2204

    Without exaggeration, this seems like a lifechanging experience. Kinda like going to space.
    You can see in Tom's face how much fun it is to fulfill the ancient human dream of flying like a bird. It's an experience that not even a plane can give you, since it feels less "organic" I guess.

    • @The4stro
      @The4stro Před rokem +101

      i think that the main thing is that it's you that is making the blimp move, with your own hands. in a plane you're just pulling, pushing and pressing different instruments

    • @tegxi
      @tegxi Před rokem +17

      it's similar to indoor skydiving in that way, though this is surprisingly much cheaper (unless you account for trave prices I suppose)

    • @peach495
      @peach495 Před rokem +11

      I noticed his face as well. He was having a blast.

    • @lucas839
      @lucas839 Před rokem +3

      @@tegxi safer too

    • @drewmortenson
      @drewmortenson Před rokem +15

      I fly paramotors, and the draw to that is often times the freedom and closeness to flying like a bird. It is far closer to bird-like flight when compared to planes. This is another level

  • @KanameYuuki
    @KanameYuuki Před rokem +801

    I loved Antoine's calm and slow demeanor, he really sets the speed of how people are going to act in there.

    • @Hung_Nguyen_90
      @Hung_Nguyen_90 Před rokem +12

      IKR If he teach faster Tom probably would cut the weight and break the roof then fly away 🤣

    • @kimgkomg
      @kimgkomg Před rokem +33

      He probably has to deal with people having panic attacks 2 seconds after leaving the ground

    • @tanakaobi
      @tanakaobi Před rokem +10

      It`s called being French.

    • @Cantfindaname917
      @Cantfindaname917 Před rokem +10

      5:04
      "Kilogram - De igher u arr, De otter et es."

    • @MGSLurmey
      @MGSLurmey Před rokem

      @@Cantfindaname917 The most French sounding sentence ever uttered.

  • @romanieo
    @romanieo Před rokem +1

    This brought me joy and a little lift, just when I needed it. Superb Tom..., as always.

  • @imjusthappytobedepressed1123

    Gotta love how proud the guy is about having zero accidents, great stuff!

  • @Strathclydegamer
    @Strathclydegamer Před rokem +764

    Nothing in this not to love. That instructor was just incredible, patient and relaxed while explaining aerodynamics in a second language. A brilliant business concept. And of course, Tom, a huge smile and clearly loving every moment.

    • @theflash95
      @theflash95 Před rokem +16

      @Steve D If you listened to the instructor you would have heard that they are aware of the limited nature of helium and their efforts not to waste it while still being able to do what they do.

    • @maxsnts
      @maxsnts Před rokem +28

      @Steve D Like filling party balloons? I'm joking but i guess a lot more gets wasted at Disney parks. We can excuse this use.

    • @toobig7150
      @toobig7150 Před rokem +8

      @@maxsnts and given how they are reused its far more effective than most common uses of helium, which are (very often) a single use time thing

    • @sircalvin
      @sircalvin Před rokem +2

      @@maxsnts the biggest consumer of helium is the macys parade

    • @samack3
      @samack3 Před rokem +2

      @@theflash95 just because they are trying to be efficient doesn’t mean it isn’t wasting rare elements

  • @colinfurze
    @colinfurze Před rokem +911

    That looks amazing

    • @feryth
      @feryth Před rokem +85

      You're gonna make one, aren't you

    • @thedarkgreenvanman
      @thedarkgreenvanman Před rokem +24

      Build one with rc propellers so you can use it outside

    • @bingus2550
      @bingus2550 Před rokem +12

      make it but give it flamethrowers

    • @kelzuya
      @kelzuya Před rokem

      A wild Furze appears

    • @kelzuya
      @kelzuya Před rokem +18

      @@bingus2550 He'd defo use Hydrogen :D

  • @aterxter3437
    @aterxter3437 Před rokem

    Thanks for making the video : being in a model airplanes club, I had the chance to go there for indoor piloting, but at the time the aeroplume activity was stopped, I am glad to know that it is back

  • @OneMinuteSaxLessons
    @OneMinuteSaxLessons Před 6 měsíci

    Dude, you are so awesome for answering the question of the thumbnail right off the bat. Subscribed!

  • @hamfranky
    @hamfranky Před rokem +270

    I imagine the door is closed not only because of the breeze but also to stop the otherwise irresistible urge to make a dash for the open skies.

    • @wta1518
      @wta1518 Před 5 měsíci +39

      The air whales are always in search of freedom.

    • @sonwig5186
      @sonwig5186 Před 5 měsíci +3

      You know thats actually a great SCP idea in the making

    • @Boris19389
      @Boris19389 Před 3 měsíci +10

      STOP HIM HES MAKING A BREAK FOR THE DOOR!!!
      OH GOD HES FLOATING AWAY OMG JOHNNY NOOOOOO

  • @ericgoldman7533
    @ericgoldman7533 Před rokem +1240

    One of the things that particularly struck me how the movement and maneuvering of the fins looked very much like how fish use their pectoral fins, especially when just chilling and trying to stay (relatively) in one place. This of course makes sense, because it's the same exact principles at play just in different fluids (air versus water).

    • @robinlove6981
      @robinlove6981 Před rokem +2

      Apart from moving backwards yes

    • @majorbruster5916
      @majorbruster5916 Před rokem +79

      @@robinlove6981 Ahhh but, fish CAN swim backwards using their pectoral fins. Puffer fish swim using their pectorals nearly all the time, only flicking the caudal for a rapid burst of speed when necessary. Many Cichlids also use their pectorals to reverse out of narrow spaces or to back away from another cichlid during confrontations.

    • @DACatface
      @DACatface Před rokem +2

      flippers might be able to get some forward speed too

    • @mandelorean6243
      @mandelorean6243 Před rokem +2

      ...Uh. Overly obvious.

    • @sidewaysman1
      @sidewaysman1 Před rokem +2

      water and air are both fluids that share the same basic properties

  • @Doyle69
    @Doyle69 Před rokem +1

    I couldn't help but smile all the way through watching.

  • @adriandennis3283
    @adriandennis3283 Před rokem

    That looks awesome and peaceful. Tom Scott God bless you.

  • @rustybrazenfire
    @rustybrazenfire Před rokem +693

    I appreciate that the end links to the 2019 video on "Is the world running out of helium?" Because that is exactly the video I thought about when I saw this one. Thank you as always Tom.

    • @geoffwatches
      @geoffwatches Před rokem +5

      Yah, used for really important things like mris no?!

    • @caelcdye9575
      @caelcdye9575 Před rokem +61

      I gotta say I ended up doing a 25 page research paper on it in high school and spent the entire year studying/researching that. Suffice it to say we are not ‘running out’ there is still plenty of helium out there it’s just about the economics surrounding it being different in a lot of ways that has driven the price up over the past 20 years or so. It’s a lot like oil or natural gas (considering you often find helium where you find natural gas) where everyone says we are running out when in reality there is plenty just the current reserves of what is currently economical is being depleted. The helium situation is actually significantly more complicated though since it’s usually just extracted as a byproduct then as something people specifically target.

    • @frankyflowers
      @frankyflowers Před rokem +2

      they found a bunch more.

    • @the_retag
      @the_retag Před rokem +16

      @@Summergch these blimp guy us etheir helium very efficiently. I wouldn't be surprised if they dont just vent it but recycle it at the end of the season

    • @AntiGravityC9
      @AntiGravityC9 Před rokem +20

      even if the 70k liters aren't 100% helium anymore, they might still be able to pass them forward as a "low quality" supply of helium, for party balloons and whatnot?

  • @sajiwaji
    @sajiwaji Před rokem +441

    Oh god why am I learning about this through a Tom Scott video, now there's no chance that they're not gonna be booked out for like, the coming 7 years

    • @khalilahd.
      @khalilahd. Před rokem +12

      No but same this is incredible!

    • @queeny5613
      @queeny5613 Před rokem +5

      Yep

    • @karlcatt
      @karlcatt Před rokem

      It's not that overbooked at all - and it's right behind Normandy's Utah Beach, in Écausseville.

  • @sameerparker8801
    @sameerparker8801 Před rokem

    Getting the answer to the title in the beginning, and getting the detailed explanation in the rest of the video.
    This should be a CZcams genre.

  • @TheWiKiGaming
    @TheWiKiGaming Před rokem

    You always answer the never asked questions, thank you for your public service

  • @Jeagles
    @Jeagles Před rokem +239

    I love the anti-clickbait style of these videos where you answer the title question straight away. Thanks Tom!

  • @CzarOfMars
    @CzarOfMars Před rokem +1439

    The creator of aéroplume is a friend of my dad's, i got to try the blimp a couple times. It's definitely fun and a very serene experience, just floating gently through the air. Beating the wings puts a hell of a strain on the arms though!

  • @markmark5269
    @markmark5269 Před rokem

    Just felt fun the whole time, thanks Tom :-)

  • @isaiahtatum
    @isaiahtatum Před 11 měsíci

    Thank you for literally answering the question right off the jump

  • @capnkatie
    @capnkatie Před rokem +451

    ive never once considered that having an unpressurised balloon would make a puncture almost totally safe thats rad

    • @scoopet
      @scoopet Před rokem +5

      I wonder the size difference if it was pressurised

    • @noahorr3480
      @noahorr3480 Před rokem +42

      @@scoopet I don't think pressurizing the balloon would change the size or lifting capacity - because it's all about the volume of air displaced right? If you add more helium inside the same size envelope, you're still displacing the same amount of air but your balloon now weighs slightly more because of the extra helium. So net reduction in lift. I do wonder if it would help with environmental air infiltrating the balloon though.

    • @cfilorvyls457
      @cfilorvyls457 Před rokem +18

      @@noahorr3480 Also wouldn't pressurized balloon make the gas inside heavier (being denser and all)? That's even less lift

    • @MushookieMan
      @MushookieMan Před rokem +15

      The balloon is pressurized. The fabric can not support itself. It's about 0.2 psi, so they call it unpressurized.

    • @scoopet
      @scoopet Před rokem

      @@noahorr3480 surely you will get more lift if the balloon was smaller and a more sturdy material but with the same amount of helium in it?

  • @optimisticbeard1485
    @optimisticbeard1485 Před rokem +310

    Tom in a separate video: helium is a finite resource with only about 100 years worth left in the world
    Also Tom:

    • @ernstschmidt4725
      @ernstschmidt4725 Před rokem +49

      gotta enjoy it meanwhile it lasts!

    • @Mgooy
      @Mgooy Před rokem +1

      If we simply strip our atmosphere by around 50% helium flight will become a lot more viable and less wasteful

    • @Lagmeister12382
      @Lagmeister12382 Před rokem +4

      @@ernstschmidt4725 There are much more important uses for the helium than frivolous pursuits like putting it in balloons or doing silly things like this video.

    • @jakebrowning2373
      @jakebrowning2373 Před rokem

      We can make more right

    • @ernstschmidt4725
      @ernstschmidt4725 Před rokem +35

      @@Lagmeister12382 There are much more important uses for your time than frivolous correction of silly strangers in the internet.

  • @Brian-lg1ui
    @Brian-lg1ui Před 7 měsíci

    I love how you just gave the answer of the title at the very second you came on camera

  • @FrankBenlin
    @FrankBenlin Před rokem +1

    That *was* incredible. This will be working it's way into my dreams. Thank you.

  • @maxpadgett6504
    @maxpadgett6504 Před rokem +798

    When Tom Scott poses a question, he answers in a prompt and concise fashion. No intro, no adds; 70,000 litres before three seconds!

    • @imelbook
      @imelbook Před rokem +10

      And he didn't beg viewers to hit the bell button to subsribe! You get the answer immediately.

    • @legoworks-cg5hk
      @legoworks-cg5hk Před 9 měsíci +2

      And he's been making videos like these weekly for almost 10 years. People who say that you have to have other things for 'engagement' have no excuse

  • @ThePensiveWalrus
    @ThePensiveWalrus Před rokem +3779

    2019 Scott: "Is the world is running out of helium? It's a valuable resource that should be treated as finite." 2022 Scott: "Watch me float in a giant helium balloon!"

    • @jjasper7512
      @jjasper7512 Před rokem +70

      Literally yesterday I was in a card factory shop in the UK and saw a sign to say they had run out of helium due to shortages and couldn't fill a party balloon! Would love to do this and a great price, way cheaper than if I'd tried to get 70,000 litres at UK card shop prices assuming they had any!

    • @Gillsing
      @Gillsing Před rokem +82

      Stealing helium from the sun? Now there's an idea for a mythical heist!

    • @uku4171
      @uku4171 Před rokem +23

      @@Gillsing Let's hope it won't retaliate.

    • @agsystems8220
      @agsystems8220 Před rokem +57

      ​@@Drabkikker Uranus is a far easier source. A nuclear powered flying atmospheric liquefaction facility launching nuclear cargo rockets could get helium back to earth from there with clever application of the technology we have now (almost*). The surface gravity is actually slightly lower than Earth, and the methane can be processed into carbon fibres and plastics. The delta-v to get off the surface is about twice that of getting off earth, but the hydrogen available suits a nuclear engine well, and plastic fuel tanks can be disposable (or even fed through the engine).
      *A reusable heat shield that can survive entering from orbit around Uranus is beyond us currently, but with the amount of hydrogen available bleed cooling should be able to manage it.

    • @michaelporzio7384
      @michaelporzio7384 Před rokem +47

      Try it with hydrogen, what could go wrong...

  • @JamesPattersonamg
    @JamesPattersonamg Před rokem

    Thank you for the instant answer 👌🏾👍🏽

  • @mikehatter1800
    @mikehatter1800 Před 6 měsíci

    That was the best controlled flight I have ever seen super nice❤

  • @SamBebbington
    @SamBebbington Před rokem +3032

    So you’re deathly afraid of standing on a metal mesh with an expert showing you it’s safe, but flying on your own in a large helium balloon is fine? 😂
    Keep making great videos Tom!

    • @maythesciencebewithyou
      @maythesciencebewithyou Před rokem +97

      the guy stood on a flying plane. this is nothing

    • @tompw3141
      @tompw3141 Před rokem +211

      The human brain is weird!

    • @xerxeskingofking
      @xerxeskingofking Před rokem +246

      i;ll second the "human brain is weird" answer. I've been skydiving. when you sat in the plane, looking out a window, yhea your high, but it doesnt feel dangerous. then, your stood in the doorway, and looking at the same drop, but without a sheet of glass in the way, sends you all sorts of danger signals and it takes a serious, deliberate mental effort to work past those. but 10 seconds later, when your out of the plane and under canopy? you dont feel unsafe anymore, your sat in a harness and the "danger" feels are gone again.
      id imagine its something similar. the albert hall felt unsafe because he had no harness or anything to catch him (he didnt need it, but his brain wanted it anyway). in this, he can feel he's lying in supporting straps, safe and secure....also you start at very low altitude which might help ease the brain into the situtation.

    • @metalswifty23
      @metalswifty23 Před rokem +30

      @@tompw3141 When I was 11, I went on a school trip to an activities place for a few days on the Isle of Wight. They had rock climbing walls there, and I flatout refused to do it as I wasn't fond of heights (still not really). I did, however, do abseiling on walls of the same height a couple times and thoroughly enjoyed it.
      I still won't do rock climbing, but I'd do abseiling again, and I've wanted to do skydiving for a while. The brain is odd.

    • @sirBrouwer
      @sirBrouwer Před rokem +26

      @@xerxeskingofking it also helps that he is somewhat in controle of the blimp.

  • @mal2ksc
    @mal2ksc Před rokem +2635

    After all the "don't go here, they're not prepared for tourists" and "this river will kill you" type videos, it's nice to get one where the rest of us could reasonably afford to do this, assuming we have another reason to be in the area.
    This has probably been one of your more rewarding experiences of late as well, as it looked like you were having a blimpload of fun. And Aéroplume will almost certainly see an uptick in business. Sometimes all a good idea needs is for people to know it exists and it can propel itself from there.

    • @cprgreaves
      @cprgreaves Před rokem +17

      You want ANOTHER reason? (grin)

    • @froglover4203
      @froglover4203 Před rokem +17

      Those jokes float outside my tastes

    • @Tenchi707
      @Tenchi707 Před rokem

      That blimp will kill you, it killed Ross 😢

    • @mrbeeoutdoors3213
      @mrbeeoutdoors3213 Před rokem +17

      ...."bigger one can carry up to 90 kilograms".... not for me then 😒

    • @Saareem
      @Saareem Před rokem +18

      @@mrbeeoutdoors3213 Another motivator to lose weight?

  • @codiecola3636
    @codiecola3636 Před rokem

    I’ve never seen Tom Scott this happy before. Can’t really blame him, that looks like fun!

  • @skyearthocean5815
    @skyearthocean5815 Před rokem +1

    This looks insanely fun!

  • @karolkozik5918
    @karolkozik5918 Před rokem +142

    Incentives for loosing weight:
    -to be in good health
    -to be in peak condition
    -to feel good about yourself
    -to be able to go to France and pay to pretend to be a blimp for half an hour

    • @FrietjeOorlog
      @FrietjeOorlog Před rokem +19

      Incentive to *not* lose weight: pretend to be a blimp all day long!

    • @colossalbreacker
      @colossalbreacker Před rokem +3

      I would rather gain muscle than pretend to be a blimp.

    • @Wannes_
      @Wannes_ Před rokem +10

      ​@@FrietjeOorlog Always be the blimp you wanna be !

  • @BobbyDukeArts
    @BobbyDukeArts Před rokem +1958

    That was freaking cool. I definitely want to try that!

    • @FreyaOakley
      @FreyaOakley Před rokem +6

      If you ever have the opportunity to go, Bobby, I would love a video of you experiencing this! I can already imagine the punny fun you'd have. 😄

    • @demolisherinfinite8606
      @demolisherinfinite8606 Před rokem +5

      You could even make a sculpture of yourself in one of the aeroplumes out of WEWD

    • @twoheadedgiantgaming7029
      @twoheadedgiantgaming7029 Před rokem +6

      Wow! Really cool to see you here
      I can imagine you watching this and just saying: "I wawnt to dew thayut" XD

    • @jmi5969
      @jmi5969 Před rokem +2

      Me too. But I would need two of these blimps. Oh, they say they have one for 270 kg. Perfect size for me!

    • @Spektr86
      @Spektr86 Před rokem +1

      I want that!

  • @Ijay1101
    @Ijay1101 Před rokem +1

    Just had an intrusive thought of the roof just coming off and you just flying up and out of earth aha. love your videos mate, smart fella with a good passion for understanding reality.

  • @fishingforcandyBW
    @fishingforcandyBW Před rokem

    BEST VIDEO EVER!!! THANKS FOR GETTING STRAIGHT TO IT

  • @JeremiahMcaninch
    @JeremiahMcaninch Před rokem +700

    I think this is an excellent demonstration of how adapt we are at tool use. As soon as Tom was in the air, he adapted to his new body as an air whale.

  • @firdaushbhadha2597
    @firdaushbhadha2597 Před rokem +377

    Absolutely, positively, Tom has the best intros. Period. The people that watch watch, the people that googled the question have their answer, and the universe lives in harmony.

    • @JoshSmith-db2of
      @JoshSmith-db2of Před rokem +10

      Don't forget the physics nerds like me who calculated to answer before watching the video, and then watched the video anyway.

    • @firdaushbhadha2597
      @firdaushbhadha2597 Před rokem +1

      @@JoshSmith-db2of 🙏

  • @cocacolazero_
    @cocacolazero_ Před rokem

    help! ive just watched 10 tom scott videos and i cant stop

  • @marsolgaming
    @marsolgaming Před 7 měsíci

    I love how he just gave us the answer right away instead of talking for 15 minutes

  • @treychiri1607
    @treychiri1607 Před rokem +1602

    Tom, have you ever though about how much of a legacy you will leave behind on the internet? your videos will always resurface and trend again and again. Love what you do, brilliant.

    • @michaeljones5681
      @michaeljones5681 Před rokem +45

      I belive he is, in his how to be popular on the internet series he looked at that i think. Quite interesting and I'd imagine a large part of his thinking about videos

    • @tylerbrantner4026
      @tylerbrantner4026 Před rokem +28

      He just does such a great job of finding things worth documenting and recording them in an informative and interesting way

    • @dakoderii4221
      @dakoderii4221 Před rokem +24

      He's a major part of history from his two videos on voting machines alone.

    • @jamiehughes5573
      @jamiehughes5573 Před rokem +4

      All it will take is one massive solar flare to hit the earth to completely wipe out all electronics and data

    • @craigjensen6853
      @craigjensen6853 Před rokem +11

      @@jamiehughes5573 One can only hope. Maybe then Facebook would go away and people could get back to minding their own business.

  • @killercaos123
    @killercaos123 Před rokem +465

    this is possibly one of the coolest experiences. This surely goes on my bucket list for flying, but in a hangar. And honestly, for €60 it's not exactly a expensive adventure.

    • @jackthatmonkey8994
      @jackthatmonkey8994 Před rokem +8

      For 60 euros this is a steal!!

    • @sock-madic
      @sock-madic Před rokem +10

      Then do it quick, because helium is leaving the atmosphere and will be gone in 15 years during this time the prices will go up significantly.

    • @ShaddyWoohooMan
      @ShaddyWoohooMan Před rokem +1

      That's actually completely affordable. I was expecting much more than that

    • @jimdennis2451
      @jimdennis2451 Před rokem +5

      Honestly, for me, it is the 90 kg limit... and it is in France.

    • @mrbeeoutdoors3213
      @mrbeeoutdoors3213 Před rokem

      @@jimdennis2451 yup 90kg limit puts me out of the running...

  • @inkognito7607
    @inkognito7607 Před rokem

    That's what I've always wondered. That's a great idea. Thank you

  • @Producedbylevithomas
    @Producedbylevithomas Před rokem

    thank you for starting off with the answer, that literally made me stay to watch the whole video

  • @maxgary4032
    @maxgary4032 Před rokem +14

    5:05 "De 'igher u r, de 'otter it is" amen brotha 🙏

  • @sebastianwlodarczyk
    @sebastianwlodarczyk Před rokem +603

    "Inventor, artist and engineer"- those three titles put together can bring out something either amazing or terrifying. Glad it was the former one:)
    I love Tom's reaction from 3:38, when he figured out how to control that thing!

    • @JohnRay1969
      @JohnRay1969 Před rokem +15

      Amazing or terrifying OR BOTH. 😳

    • @nanomachines9872
      @nanomachines9872 Před rokem +5

      Inventor, artist, and *GERMAN*

    • @Ravo92
      @Ravo92 Před rokem +2

      @@hundredfireify Which wasnt considered an artist nor an Inventor in Austria :D

    • @friezcuber
      @friezcuber Před 8 dny +1

      3:45😂😂

  • @Cockroachsex
    @Cockroachsex Před rokem

    I love how the answer was given right away I’m subscribing ong

  • @juancelop
    @juancelop Před rokem

    The way Tom laughs in the end made us wanna fly too to feel that happiness and freedom 😂

  • @waves_under_stars
    @waves_under_stars Před rokem +441

    Tom flies through the air majestically like an eagle. piloting a blimp.

  • @Scientist_Albert_Einstein

    6:05 "If its too late to avoid the wall of the roof, we will pull, NOT FOR YOUR SAFETY, But for the safety of the blimp..."
    🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @nicokyriak
    @nicokyriak Před 18 dny

    Excellent presentation of a place that everyone should visit at least once in their life.

  • @jeanmarc5896
    @jeanmarc5896 Před rokem +1

    Absolument incroyable
    Would love to try this!

  • @theirishstew
    @theirishstew Před rokem +161

    Tom Scott: The world is running out of helium
    Also Tom Scott: I’m gonna go get enough helium to make me float

    • @testnameone806
      @testnameone806 Před rokem +14

      and put out a popular video about it encouraging others to do the same. But no matter He is only used for party balloons, silly voices and MRI machines.

    • @MrCamille9999
      @MrCamille9999 Před rokem +14

      Well I'd argue that this type of usage if done right actually uses (or loses I should say) very little hellium.

    • @samueladitya1729
      @samueladitya1729 Před 6 měsíci

      The alternative is hydrogen

  • @zg4705
    @zg4705 Před rokem +761

    Tom should make a bucket list blog with everything he's done so we can do what he has done without searching all the videos!

    • @Soken50
      @Soken50 Před rokem +61

      No because in most instances he doesn't want a mob of internet tourists swamping some little corner of the world that happens to have something interesting to see, like this neat blimp hangar in Northern France in a quiet little village of 100 which is about 20 minutes from where I was born :D

    • @khalilahd.
      @khalilahd. Před rokem +1

      Yesss! I would love to watch that

    • @polygontower
      @polygontower Před rokem +16

      @@Soken50 But it would be like a 10 minute videos with about a hundred places so it will be an even distribution of people
      Some popular might get more people but it should be relatively even.

    • @ShadowebEB
      @ShadowebEB Před rokem +11

      Every time I watch a video that really interests me (like this one) I put it in "Want to Go" on Google Maps, like that when there are enough spots (from Tom and others) I can organize a trip there.

    • @alexevanspoppsychedelicren4158
      @alexevanspoppsychedelicren4158 Před rokem +6

      I just want to sit in a cavern filled with radioactive gas. Is that too much to ask?

  • @Zanda641
    @Zanda641 Před rokem

    2 seconds in and got my answer cheers Tom!

  • @yesterdayschunda1760
    @yesterdayschunda1760 Před rokem

    Tom is so nice, answers the question in the title as soon as the video starts

  • @mozteq7536
    @mozteq7536 Před rokem +8

    Thank you, Tom, for answering your question before your video, rather than an annoying "preview" of the video, followed by a sponsor, followed by an introduction, followed by a 7 minutes vlog, followed by a cameo of a random youtuber.

  • @cyrusds
    @cyrusds Před rokem +151

    tom scott: answering questions ive never asked for

  • @courtlandbates2683
    @courtlandbates2683 Před rokem

    Thank you for such an uplifting video. 😆

  • @freemarketjoe9869
    @freemarketjoe9869 Před 5 měsíci

    I love it the man answered the question right off the bat. That's rare.

  • @davidweaver4702
    @davidweaver4702 Před rokem +478

    I so want to go and try this, as I am stuck in a wheelchair for most of the time when I'm out. I could tell how much you were enjoying that Tom. Thanks for sharing an amazing adventure with us all. Kindest regards, Dave W 👏😊

    • @benoitbvg2888
      @benoitbvg2888 Před rokem +35

      If you can, I know some swimming pools have "aqua-gym"-like activities for people in wheelchair. Not as fun as this, but still nice.

    • @michaelpipkin9942
      @michaelpipkin9942 Před rokem +3

      Did you see the Fly With Geese episode?
      That looks awesome too!

    • @michaelcherokee8906
      @michaelcherokee8906 Před rokem +13

      So long as you would be physically capable of getting into the blimp harness, even if you need assistance, and your arms work, I guess youd be able to take one of these helium balloon rides. Then you, a mostly-wheelchair-bound individual, would have had an experience most of us with two perfectly good legs have never had, flight.

    • @ThatOpalGuy
      @ThatOpalGuy Před rokem +1

      it would be so cool to do this, right?

    • @dthomas9230
      @dthomas9230 Před 6 měsíci +1

      @@benoitbvg2888 Floats for the legs let you swim with upper body Australian crawl, breast stroke, or butterfly.

  • @cprgreaves
    @cprgreaves Před rokem +343

    "Not for your safety, but for the safety of the blimp" Great line.
    I confess that I was ready to correct you when I saw "Helium", saying that you were floating, not flying, but you were flying in the sense of propelling your self in three dimensions.
    Years ago I came to the conclusion that birds swim through the air, and fish fly through the ocean water.
    Cheers, Chris

    • @Nofishnoclue
      @Nofishnoclue Před rokem +4

      What is your reasoning behind your last statement?

    • @alifaan595
      @alifaan595 Před rokem +17

      @@Nofishnoclue I think it's because birds propel themselves up into the air. Whereas fish already float in water, they just controlling their vector.

    • @RatherBeTraveling
      @RatherBeTraveling Před rokem +13

      @@alifaan595 Both are fluids, think of it that way.

    • @tula__
      @tula__ Před rokem +10

      I don’t think birds and fishes are any different. They both on fluid medium, just with different densities and weights. And both experience gravity. Did you know sharks would drown if they didn’t swim?

    • @jiripanik4604
      @jiripanik4604 Před rokem

      Some birds glide... Just saying. :)

  • @darrellmurdock6880
    @darrellmurdock6880 Před 2 měsíci

    That was so neat , thanks for the shared experience 👍😊😎😎

  • @stein1385
    @stein1385 Před rokem

    macys needs to do this every thanksgiving day parade. so cool!

  • @Zalaniar
    @Zalaniar Před rokem +241

    Tom, I cannot express how thankful I am for this video. Ever since I was a kid I've had dreams of flying by swimming through the air. This, I think, is the closest thing that exists to that. This is definitely going at the top of my bucket list of places to go outside the US!

    • @cranegantry868
      @cranegantry868 Před rokem +8

      I've had the same dreams, of flying by myself.

    • @davidnyasha
      @davidnyasha Před rokem

      look up wingsuit base jumping

    • @JHaven-lg7lj
      @JHaven-lg7lj Před rokem

      Me, too! And the way it looks in the video seems exactly right for the way I remember it!
      Also I can absolutely see this as how people get around on some future planet of ours. Incredible

  • @EdwinWiles
    @EdwinWiles Před rokem +164

    Amazing, and amusing. The situation makes all the difference. Tom was legit terrified at stepping out onto the floor grid in a prior video about St. Albert's Hall. Yet here, he is calm and even joyous.

    • @Soken50
      @Soken50 Před rokem +38

      Seems Tom has a lot more trust in Fluid Dynamics than Material Sciences ^^'

    • @caramelldansen2204
      @caramelldansen2204 Před rokem +37

      The illusion of control is one helluva thing.

    • @johnbeauvais3159
      @johnbeauvais3159 Před rokem +7

      It’s the perspective, mentally, Tom is flying/floating here. On the corona he was standing over a great height. This doesn’t work for everyone but I know some people can pacify their fear of heights by thinking that they’re floating instead.

  • @hebu8058
    @hebu8058 Před rokem

    God bless you, you answered the question right at the start of the video

  • @savigg174
    @savigg174 Před rokem +4

    This is properly brilliant. That guy is definitely an engineer.

  • @gordonrunsurbathon
    @gordonrunsurbathon Před rokem +37

    Next week on Tom Scott Plus: Tom Scott travels across a tightrope into an aeroplume, floats to safety, then rides off into the sunset on a bike while rounding sheep.

    • @ejasmith
      @ejasmith Před rokem +4

      Don't forget the parcour into a plane, flying it blindfolded whilst on fire, then having coffee and ice cream

  • @whyjnot420
    @whyjnot420 Před rokem +52

    The pure joy in Tom's face when he started ascending put a huge smile on my face.

  • @HonorCandy
    @HonorCandy Před rokem

    Only had to watch like 20 seconds to find the answer to my piqued curiosity.
    Thank you for answering upfront instead of needlessly drawing things out.

  • @meegs699
    @meegs699 Před rokem

    Thanks Tom, I’ve been wanting to know

  • @colman123456
    @colman123456 Před rokem +59

    I've been scuba diving before and I know how cool it feels to just float in a perfect ballance, but achieving that in air instead of water must be so much cooler.

  • @1da1a172
    @1da1a172 Před rokem +161

    I need this to become an Olympic sport. The contrast between fast reactions necessary for a race and the slowness/latency of the vehicle would be like watching snails race, and I'm here for it.

    • @Amanda-C.
      @Amanda-C. Před rokem

      Maybe with sci-fi mag-lev balloons, but that'd be a crap ton of precious helium for an entire international sporting community.

    • @raidermaxx2324
      @raidermaxx2324 Před rokem

      I see this becoming a tourist attraction on moons around the gas giants, like Titan, that would have the perfect atmosphere for these balloons to work in.

  • @BilTheGalacticHero
    @BilTheGalacticHero Před rokem

    That's awesome. I'm going to check that out next time I find myself in France.

  • @dennistucker1153
    @dennistucker1153 Před rokem

    Very cool experience. Thanks for sharing this.

  • @ByddinRhyddidCymru
    @ByddinRhyddidCymru Před rokem +333

    This was a cool video, looked like great fun, however, it would’ve been a lot cooler with lots of multi coloured small balloons tied to a deckchair

    • @genelomas332
      @genelomas332 Před rokem +43

      It's been done... And that guy had to be rescued by helicopter, when the wind direction changed and he got blown out to sea.. 3 miles up!
      Apparently the BB gun he took with him jammed, or he dropped it or something, and he couldn't reduce his altitude..
      Very close candidate for that years Darwin Award..

    • @youngmoney9041
      @youngmoney9041 Před rokem +7

      @@genelomas332 Perhaps but he also lived his life! I’d like to go out like that when I’m old

    • @michaldvorak1
      @michaldvorak1 Před rokem +11

      @@youngmoney9041 Don't let anyone stop you. That's a hell of a retirement plan!

    • @frankyflowers
      @frankyflowers Před rokem

      ack ack.

  • @rahulmahich6410
    @rahulmahich6410 Před rokem +87

    I loved Antoine's calm and slow demeanor, he really sets the speed of how people are going to act in there.❤❤

  • @dankhalifa6937
    @dankhalifa6937 Před rokem

    thanks Tom, i was woundering this a week ago, algoritm reading my mind :D

  • @FreddieCuellar
    @FreddieCuellar Před 8 měsíci

    Oh my gosh!! This is so cool! I can imagine how fee one feels just floating around!