Practical notes on buying and flying advertising balloons and blimps in the USA.
Helium
Each size lists its helium requirement in cubic feet on the price list. A 21 ft polyurethane blimp needs a little over half the helium of a comparable PVC or nylon blimp, which matters every time you refill.
Wind
10 ft blimps are rated to about 20 MPH. From 13 ft up, 25–30 MPH. Round balls at 4.5–6 ft and 9.5 ft shapes are rated to roughly 15 MPH. Bring it down before a storm — no balloon is rated for gusts.
Buy or rent
Compared with a billboard, a balloon you own keeps working every weekend for years at no further media cost. For a single event, renting is usually the better call. If you expect to fly it more than three or four times, buying is normally cheaper.
How long does one last?
Polyurethane holds up to sun and handling far better than PVC. Stored dry and out of direct sunlight between uses, a balloon that is flown for weekend promotions will keep going for years rather than seasons.