Congrats on his Good Flight!

But I know that carrying that much water, -sure added to the weight! A cubic foot of water weighs either 62.something (The dots after this and the following numbers means a Decimal Point, mentioned here for Clearer Reading and Understanding) pounds, -or 64.something pounds, -I'm foggy as to the exact figure. I also recall there being 8.something gallons in such a cubic foot.

You mention 5 gallons multiplied by 4. So this is considerably more than half, -of my above mentioned Water Weight figures!

I do know that Oregon east of the Cascades, -certainly does have its Arid/Dry areas. a 193 mile long Flite quite likely would have gone out of Oregon's Wetlands. And thus a need for water.

Still thats Considerable Weight! But still also, -he considerably made it!

Could well have gone even further, -with less water. But its Understandable enuff, -why he wouldn't want to risk such, -over the Western Drylands.

I guess one can always attach an extra Balloon, -and that is perhaps what he did.

(I also refer you and others, -to the Thread "Up With the Airliners", -most likely here in the Campfire. About a similar and Famous 1982(?) Successful Flite!).