REPLACEMENT PARTS NOTICE: Please contact us for replacement parts. For returns or exchanges, please contact the retailer where your product was purchased.
Air Swimmers are sold by retailers around the world and can be found at your local hobby shop or specialty toy store. If you want to order one online, we recommend www.mandmtoys.com (US/Canada only).
For international buyers, we recommend trying eBay. Many eBay sellers are willing to ship internationally.
William Mark Corp does not sell directly to individual customers. Please do not call our office to place non-wholesale orders, we do not ship to individuals.
Air SwimmersTM will require 4 AAA batteries (three in the controller and one on the balloon) and helium. Everything else is included in the box. There is some assembly required. A small Philips-head screwdriver will be needed to install the batteries.
The balloon is made from a printed “ultra-durable nylon” that is thicker and more damage-resistant than normal party balloons. The fins are a thin, plastic material sealed to carbon rods and the structural components are made from injection-molded plastic.
Yes. There is a one-way valve on the back of the balloon under the tail motor, which allows it to be re-inflated or topped-off with more helium. With proper care, the valve will last longer and can be refilled many times. However, the valve is delicate and cannot be reused if torn.
Yes. There is a one-way valve on the back of the balloon under the tail motor, which allows it to be re-inflated or topped-off with more helium. With proper care, the valve will last longer and can be refilled many times. However, the valve is delicate and cannot be reused if torn.
Some online stores, such as www.mandmtoys.com, carry replacement balloons. We do not sell any other replacement parts.
There is nothing magic about our rubber bands, so any typical rubber band will work just fine.
Yes, there is nothing special about the tape. Any clear tape will work as a replacement.
Don't buy it! We have U.S. and international patents for Air SwimmersTM and are taking action against knock-off producers. The knock-offs are likely lower quality products that have not been safety tested for use by children and may not fly well or at all. Knock-offs hurt our company and make it hard for us to continue to bring you new and innovative products, so please notify us if you find one by emailing [email protected].
Air SwimmersTM from William Mark Corp and Air SwimmersTM Extreme sold at Toys “R” Us are two different products. Toys "R" Us sells a radio-controlled version of Air SwimmersTM, which is manufactured under a license from our company. William Mark Corp sells infrared-controlled Air SwimmersTM to other retailers, which is their main difference. The Toys “R” Us Air SwimmersTM Extreme have a radio remote control with two operating frequencies so only two can be used at once. The William Mark Corp Air SwimmersTM have a unique control system that allows 10 or more to be flown at the same time. The two versions also have different appearances, components, and weights.
No, a smaller Air SwimmerTM would actually be more expensive because Air SwimmersTM are designed to use AAA-size batteries. If made smaller, they would require more expensive batteries and electronics.
Yes! In fact, we have a bass in production right now, which should be available in January 2012. Other creatures are currently under development and we are happy to take your suggestions for future Air Swimmers>TM products!
The controller's range depends on the room's lighting conditions. Bright sunlight or harsh florescent lighting can reduce the range of the controller. Under normal conditions the range of the controller is between 30-40 feet if pointed at the receiver on the Air SwimmerTM, but can go up to 50 feet under ideal conditions. It is important to make sure the controller is pointed at the receiver pod on the Air SwimmerTM and that the IR transmitters on the controller aren't being covered.
Since each Air SwimmerTM has a unique serial number, it is possible to fly many together at the same time. How many? Theoretically over 64,000! However, the more Air SwimmersTM that are flown in the same area, the slower their control response becomes.
The volume of an inflated balloon is about 4.5 cubic feet. The clownfish has slightly less volume and the shark has slightly more.
Helium is available at most grocery stores, floral shops, party stores or any store that sell balloons. Costs to inflate your Air SwimmerTM vary depending on the store. You can also purchase disposable helium tanks, which are more expensive and usually have lower quality helium, but make it more convenient to top off your Air SwimmerTM.
Yes! There are different types of helium. The helium in a disposable tank is often diluted with other gases. This mixture is called “party-mix” and will provide less lift than non-diluted helium although it is more convenient to use. Helium from the large metal tank at a party store, grocery store, or florist is usually very pure, but can be mixed with air by turning a special valve. Ask the florist not to mix it with air.
Yes, but you don't have to worry. The percentage of overall helium production used for party balloons is very small.
A fully inflated Air SwimmerTM should last 1-2 weeks (depending on helium quality). To extend its life, try adding a bit more helium or inserting a straw into the valve and blowing air into it.
Air SwimmersTM are limited to the range of their remote control, which is about 40 feet. Once out of that range, they cannot respond to commands from the controller. We recommend that you balance your Air SwimmerTM so that it has a slight negative buoyancy, which will help it drift back down to the ground if it is flown too high.
Maybe. The simplest answer is that 4,500 feet is the limit, but the performance of your Air SwimmerTM depends on many factors. Using poor quality helium and/or under-inflating the balloon will result in less lift, lowering the limit at which your Air SwimmerTM work. The Air SwimmerTM Flying Shark has been seen working at 6,800 feet!
No, please don't. It will fly away and you will be sad. The sun will heat the balloon, causing it to gain more lift and fly away, where it could get tangled in power lines, distract drivers, or confuse ichthyologists. A ribbon might prevent it from flying away, but the slightest breeze will make the Air SwimmerTM hard to hold on to. Air SwimmersTM are not meant for outdoor use.
For short-term storage use the docking hook on the controller, tie it to something using the included ribbon, or remove some weight and let it float up to the ceiling. For a simple longer-term storage idea see NightFlyyer's youtube video.
To deflate the balloon, gently insert a thin straw into the one-way valve in the tail about 6 inches past the opening. If the straw doesn't fit easily, it is too large. After inserting the straw, gently squeeze the helium out of the balloon. This step may take a little while, so we don't recommend deflating your Air SwimmerTM unless necessary. Once the balloon is deflated, carefully remove the straw from the valve, being careful not to damage it.
Yes, an inflated Air SwimmerTM will fit in most cars. We recommend transporting it without the fins attached so they don't break.
The pairing has probably been lost. Try pairing it using these instructions.
Any clear tape will work well as a replacement.
The Air SwimmerTM probably needs to be paired with the remote control. Try pairing it using these instructions.
The controller's range depends on the room's lighting conditions. Bright sunlight or harsh florescent lighting can reduce the range of the controller. Under normal conditions the range of the controller is between 30-40 feet if pointed at the receiver on the Air SwimmerTM, but can go up to 50 feet under ideal conditions. It is important to make sure the controller is pointed at the receiver pod on the Air SwimmerTM and that the IR transmitters on the controller aren't being covered. Try using your Air SwimmerTM in a different environment or replacing the batteries.
It takes some time to master controlling your Air SwimmerTM. Try to picture paddling a canoe. To move forward, paddle evenly on the right side, then the left. To turn, paddle more on one side than the other. Press and hold in each direction for about a second for realistic flight.
To inflate your balloon, top off the balloon with more helium or blow some air into the balloon through the valve using a small drinking straw. Don't insert the straw more than an inch into the valve or the balloon may begin to deflate. Remember that blowing air into the balloon will dilute the helium already inside. Eventually all the helium in the balloon will need to be replaced by completely deflating and inflating it again.
It is possible that there is not enough helium in the balloon. If operating Air SwimmersTM at high elevations (4,500+ feet) you may have exceeded the lifting capability of the balloon. In this case, add a little more helium until it flies or try lowering your elevation.
Some retail stores, such as www.mandmtoys.com, carry replacement balloons. We do not sell any other replacement parts.
You can use anything to add to the putty weight. Try using small coins, paper clips, etc. and then do the fine trimming with putty.
CalCoast Toys, LLC was founded by Patrick Ross, the co-creator of Feisty Pets®. For years, Patrick worked with Mark Forti of the William Mark Corporation (WMC) as a distributor of all WMC products. Mark Forti is the genius inventor and creator behind Feisty Pets, X-Zylo®, Air Swimmers®, Flitter Fairies™, and all WMC® branded flying toys. William Mark Corporation was founded in 1991 when Mark Forti invented its first flying toy: the X-Zylo flying gyroscope. Patrick started in online sales at the age of 12 and opened his own toy business in college. Patrick and Mark started working together after discovering at the New York Toy Fair that they both had the same accountant. After years of creative brainstorming on WMC's flying toys, Mark and Patrick created the Feisty Pets plush brand in 2016. When Mark decided it was time to hang up his toy-inventor hat and pick up his movie-making hat to create his film Why in the World, he decided to hand the reigns of all the WMC brands over to his chief creative deputy and distribution partner, and so CalCoast Toys was born! Read More
