|
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | man can fly!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | I never tire of watching those clips.
I wonder what is their minimum rate of descent? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...flying?....semi-controlled falling. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 1900
| The minimum rate of descent will be whatever it takes to keep them aloft, but if they fall far enough they will reach terminal velocity which is approximately 120mph, depending on their posture. But these guys are trying to fly, not just fall. So their speed will vary according to
their posture and the winds they encounter. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7209
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | while getting a little OT is fun... lets not forget the primary purpose of this site. Once in awhile is fine.. Keeps it interesting.. Just a reminder, that's all. I'm guilty too, again, just a reminder. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | reminder taken in the spirit it was posted. thanks! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
I wonder what is their minimum rate of descent? Zero. They can pull up and stall, then start all over again -- hopefully for them.
_____
gh1 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | There's a dude out there, Jeb Corliss, who is currently working on a way to land on the ground in his wingsuit, without the aid of a parachute.
Corliss made a "flight" into a gorge a while back with one of the originators of the sport, Dwain Westin. Westin miscalculated and eviscerated himself on the Royal Gorge bridge in Canyon City at over well over 100 mph. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | Is he the guy who recently completed a record flight in a wingsuit? I seem to recall reading something about that in the last couple of weeks but that was not a fabric wingsuit, it was a "rocket". |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I don't know if he made a recent record setting flight, but, I know he is being sued by the Empire State Building for attempting a base jump from the top. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | we're a bit sheltered here. we rarely watch tv and have the most basic cable channels. i've never seen this before or heard of "wingsuits". it is captivating and adrenaline pumping to watch these guys. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Video here |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | Conceptually, I think it has to be one of the most exhilarating feelings out there. I mean, c'mon, who would NOT want to be able to actually fly (obviously under control)? In reality, I think you have to be willing to trade your life for a thrill. That thrill's just not big enough for me. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | i expect that one day, anybody truly desiring to fly, will be able to. in fact, it will be second nature. i think we were born to fly! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Ever read about it in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy? :p :D :p :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Where is the hatch that lets the water and solids out? I'm sure you'd want that done before landing. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Beal:
Where is the hatch that lets the water and solids out? I'm sure you'd want that done before landing. For me it would be jump and dump simultaneously! The rest would be awesome. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | Weaser,
You're thinking of Rocket Man who recently crossed the English Channel strapped to a small jet powered wing. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | That's definitely the guy. Thanks, Colin. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by gh1:
Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
I wonder what is their minimum rate of descent? Zero. They can pull up and stall, then start all over again -- hopefully for them.
Without any external power, they are always losing altitude. |
|
| |
OT: flying
