The Virtual Pub
Come Inside... => The Snug => Topic started by: Grumpmeister on September 25, 2008, 11:00:25 AM
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So this guy is going to fly across the channel to france using a home made flying wint strapped to his arse, I wonder if he would consider lending it to David Blaine... eveilgrin:
Actually, truth be told I'd love a shot on this thing.
(https://www.virtual-pub.com/SMF/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnewsimg.bbc.co.uk%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F45049000%2Fjpg%2F_45049658_rossy226b.jpg&hash=08fad2f69fe617b00fa7a90ce1855b88e24415b6)
A Swiss pilot is hoping to become the first person to fly solo across the English Channel using a single jet-propelled wing.
Yves Rossy will take a plane to more than 8,200ft (2,500m), ignite jets on a wing on his back, and then jump out.
He aims to complete the 22 mile (35.4 km) flight from Calais to Dover in 12 minutes reaching speeds of 125mph.
The 49-year-old former military pilot had to postpone an earlier attempt because of weather conditions.
Mr Rossy, known as "Fusionman," hopes to follow the route taken by French airman Louis Blériot 99 years ago when he became the first person to fly across the English Channel in a plane.
In an interview earlier this week, he said: "If I calculate everything right, I will land in Dover. But if I get it wrong, I take a bath."
The stunt will be broadcast live for the National Geographic Channel. Its producer, Kathryn Liptrott, told the BBC Rossy was fearless.
"When we've talked to him and asked him are you worried about risk his quote consistently is: I'm not worried about risk, I manage risk.
"He flew Mirage fighters for the Swiss army, he now flies an Airbus. And in his sort of heart he's a pilot and a parachutist and what they do is manage risk. He won't fly if he doesn't think that he will arrive in Dover."
The longest flight he has taken so far lasted 10 minutes.
The wing has no rudder or tail fin, so Mr Rossy will steer it using his head and back.
As well as a helmet and parachute, he will wear a special suit to protect him from the four kerosene-burning turbines mounted just centimetres from him on the wing.
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I'd love to try it too...
However, for it to really impress he should take off from the ground (roller skates perhaps?), not be dropped out of the back of a 'plane... noooo:
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Depends on how you exit the plane though, strapped to the top of it like the early shuttle test flights could be good. rubschin:
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Depends on how you exit the plane though, strapped to the top of it like the early shuttle test flights could be good. rubschin:
Lets face it, if they took him high enough he could just glide across (I think that has been done already?).
No, for the stunt to be worthwhile he has to take off and land conventionally IMHO.
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Hmmm, I hadnt considered the landing aspect. I suspect that without the parachute it will have a Nick-esque ending. rubschin:
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People manage to land hangliders ~ even the powered ones. Just throttle back and be prepared to run like f*ck.