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FUCKING JETPACK FUCK YEAH

Captain KCaptain K Registered User regular
edited September 2008 in Social Entropy++
Fuck yes dudes, this Swiss dude made a fucking jetpack and flew over the English channel.

0514081306_M_051408_scitech11.jpg




http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=91314&videoChannel=1


(this link has video, fuck yeah)


AOL News wrote:
DOVER, England (Sept. 26) -- A Swiss daredevil crossed the English Channel strapped to a homemade jet-propelled wing Friday, parachuting into a field near the white cliffs of Dover after a 10-minute solo flight.

Yves Rossy leapt from a plane at more than 8,800 feet, fired up his jets and made the 22-mile trip from Calais in France in about 10 minutes. Rossy passed over a thin strip of land in front of South Foreland lighthouse, looped over onlookers and opened his parachute, his wings still strapped to his back.

"It was perfect. Blue sky, sunny, no clouds, perfect conditions," he said. "We prepared everything and it was great."

The lighthouse was the site of Guglielmo Marconi's experiments with radio telegraphy in 1898. Bleriot used the white building as a target during his pioneering flight, the building's manager, Simon Ovenden, said.
The trip across the Channel is meant to trace the route of French aviator Louis Bleriot, the first person to cross in an airplane 99 years ago.

Several hundred spectators rushed to greet the pilot, trying to take photographs with cameras and cell phones.

"It's a remarkable achievement, we saw the climax of his attempt as he came down to earth with his parachute. It's been an exciting afternoon," said Geoff Clark, a 54-year-old onlooker from Chatham, in Kent.

The carbon composite-wing weighs about 55 kilograms (121 pounds) when loaded with fuel, and carried four kerosene-burning jet turbines that kept him aloft. The wing had no steering devices _ Rossy moved his body to control its movements.

He wore a heat-resistant suit similar to that worn by firefighters and racing drivers to protect him from the heat of the turbines. The cooling effect of the wind and high altitude also prevented him from getting too hot.

Mark Dale, the senior technical officer for the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, described Rossy 's flight as a "fabulous stunt."



So basically, the only question I have is: where can I get one?

Captain K on
«134

Posts

  • I Am Not A BearI Am Not A Bear Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    This guy is my hero. That interview with him at the end is pretty fucking endearing.

    I Am Not A Bear on
  • OrikaeshigitaeOrikaeshigitae Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited September 2008
    good god! that's awesome!

    Orikaeshigitae on
  • TheySlashThemTheySlashThem Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    was gonna make a thread about this

    but bogey would have locked it

    TheySlashThem on
  • LabelLabel Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

    Label on
  • Captain KCaptain K Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Unless I'm crazy, the Reuters video shows him giving the people still in the plane a little wave right after he jumps out. :D

    Captain K on
  • BogeyBogey I'm back, baby! Santa Monica, CAModerator mod
    edited September 2008
    There was a '90's cartoon that featured a team of 3 guys with things strapped to their backs. One of them looked like that guy. Gah, it's bugging me that I can't remember the name of the show.

    Bogey on
    Fitocracy: Join us in the SE++ group!
    XBox LIVE: Bogestrom | Destiny
    PSN: Bogestrom
  • TransporterTransporter Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    FINALLY I AM IN THE FUTURE

    Transporter on
  • Captain KCaptain K Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Bogey wrote: »
    There was a '90's cartoon that featured a team of 3 guys with things strapped to their backs. One of them looked like that guy. Gah, it's bugging me that I can't remember the name of the show.

    I'm not sure which cartoon you're talking about, but for some reason I'm now remembering SWAT Kats and it fills me with glee.

    Captain K on
  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited September 2008
    that is so fucking BOSS

    Druhim on
    belruelotterav-1.jpg
  • QuestionMarkManQuestionMarkMan Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    raging_raven.jpg
    ?

    QuestionMarkMan on
  • MysstMysst King Monkey of Hedonism IslandRegistered User regular
    edited September 2008
    I will take three!

    Mysst on
    ikbUJdU.jpg
  • the cheatthe cheat Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited September 2008
    i fucking want one.

    the cheat on
    tKfL2Yd.png?1
  • I Am Not A BearI Am Not A Bear Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    I will be going to PAX next year via jetpack. I don't care about the naysayers.

    I Am Not A Bear on
  • OrikaeshigitaeOrikaeshigitae Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited September 2008
    PAX 2012: Business as usual?

    Orikaeshigitae on
  • FAQFAQ Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    jet packs

    about fucking time

    FAQ on
  • The_ScarabThe_Scarab Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    BBC had a great article on him a while back, talking about the ultimate irony being that unlike Icarus the fuel injection systems on his wings are so small that if he flies too high they will fail because of freezing not melting.

    So awesome.

    The_Scarab on
  • I Am Not A BearI Am Not A Bear Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Orik, we will fly from Canada via jetpack. This is agreeable, yes?

    I Am Not A Bear on
  • AntimatterAntimatter Devo Was Right Gates of SteelRegistered User regular
    edited September 2008
    they're working on selling jetpacks next year. they're supposed to be $100,000.

    Antimatter on
  • simosimo Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    finally, a way to combat the giant mole problem:

    arrested-1-big.jpg

    simo on
    bugss2.jpg
  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited September 2008
    Antimatter wrote: »
    they're working on selling jetpacks next year. they're supposed to be $100,000.

    time to post in the lottery thread

    Druhim on
    belruelotterav-1.jpg
  • BogeyBogey I'm back, baby! Santa Monica, CAModerator mod
    edited September 2008
    Captain K wrote: »
    Bogey wrote: »
    There was a '90's cartoon that featured a team of 3 guys with things strapped to their backs. One of them looked like that guy. Gah, it's bugging me that I can't remember the name of the show.

    I'm not sure which cartoon you're talking about, but for some reason I'm now remembering SWAT Kats and it fills me with glee.
    I think I remember it now: Exo Squad.

    Bogey on
    Fitocracy: Join us in the SE++ group!
    XBox LIVE: Bogestrom | Destiny
    PSN: Bogestrom
  • OrikaeshigitaeOrikaeshigitae Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited September 2008
    Orik, we will fly from Canada via jetpack. This is agreeable, yes?

    possible high fives in flight?

    Orikaeshigitae on
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited September 2008
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    BBC had a great article on him a while back, talking about the ultimate irony being that unlike Icarus the fuel injection systems on his wings are so small that if he flies too high they will fail because of freezing not melting.

    So awesome.

    "How did you solve the iceing problem?"

    Tube on
  • JansonJanson Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    :D I am soooo glad this was a success!

    Janson on
  • vsovevsove ....also yes. Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    BBC had a great article on him a while back, talking about the ultimate irony being that unlike Icarus the fuel injection systems on his wings are so small that if he flies too high they will fail because of freezing not melting.

    So awesome.

    I wonder how he fixed the icing problem?

    EDIT: Goddammit Tube.

    vsove on
    WATCH THIS SPACE.
  • I Am Not A BearI Am Not A Bear Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Orik, we will fly from Canada via jetpack. This is agreeable, yes?

    possible high fives in flight?

    Naturally. And, if possible, synchronized barrel rolls.

    I Am Not A Bear on
  • ButlerButler 89 episodes or bust Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Now if he can just get it to work from a standing start.

    Butler on
  • MysstMysst King Monkey of Hedonism IslandRegistered User regular
    edited September 2008
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    BBC had a great article on him a while back, talking about the ultimate irony being that unlike Icarus the fuel injection systems on his wings are so small that if he flies too high they will fail because of freezing not melting.

    So awesome.

    "How did you solve the iceing problem?"
    what, you don't even read comics

    Mysst on
    ikbUJdU.jpg
  • OrikaeshigitaeOrikaeshigitae Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited September 2008
    Orik, we will fly from Canada via jetpack. This is agreeable, yes?

    possible high fives in flight?

    Naturally. And, if possible, synchronized barrel rolls.

    excellent.

    Orikaeshigitae on
  • VorusVorus Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    all I want to know is if I can skywrite with this thing

    Vorus on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • I Am Not A BearI Am Not A Bear Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Orik, we will fly from Canada via jetpack. This is agreeable, yes?

    possible high fives in flight?

    Naturally. And, if possible, synchronized barrel rolls.

    excellent.

    I am just picturing about 20 people from Canada flying in via jetpack and Homeland Security going off their rocker.

    I Am Not A Bear on
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited September 2008
    Mysst wrote: »
    The_Scarab wrote: »
    BBC had a great article on him a while back, talking about the ultimate irony being that unlike Icarus the fuel injection systems on his wings are so small that if he flies too high they will fail because of freezing not melting.

    So awesome.

    "How did you solve the iceing problem?"
    what, you don't even read comics

    I've read Hush!

    Tube on
  • MysstMysst King Monkey of Hedonism IslandRegistered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Orik, we will fly from Canada via jetpack. This is agreeable, yes?

    possible high fives in flight?

    Naturally. And, if possible, synchronized barrel rolls.

    excellent.

    I am just picturing about 20 people from Canada flying in via jetpack and Homeland Security going off their rocker.
    It'll be just like that nazi propaganda film in the rocketeer.

    But with maple leafs.

    Mysst on
    ikbUJdU.jpg
  • OrikaeshigitaeOrikaeshigitae Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited September 2008
    Orik, we will fly from Canada via jetpack. This is agreeable, yes?

    possible high fives in flight?

    Naturally. And, if possible, synchronized barrel rolls.

    excellent.

    I am just picturing about 20 people from Canada flying in via jetpack and Homeland Security going off their rocker.

    it'd take most of a day to get to Seattle, but it'd be fantastic.

    Orikaeshigitae on
  • I Am Not A BearI Am Not A Bear Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    Orik, we will fly from Canada via jetpack. This is agreeable, yes?

    possible high fives in flight?

    Naturally. And, if possible, synchronized barrel rolls.

    excellent.

    I am just picturing about 20 people from Canada flying in via jetpack and Homeland Security going off their rocker.

    it'd take most of a day to get to Seattle, but it'd be fantastic.

    We'd just need to figure out a way to get over the mountains without tragic consequences.

    I Am Not A Bear on
  • Dee KaeDee Kae Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    If only he was dressed up as santa claus when this happened.

    Dee Kae on
  • bongibongi regular
    edited September 2008
    Wait he was dropped out of a plane

    That's not as cool as actually taking off and flying over :(

    bongi on
  • Captain KCaptain K Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    I doubt you would show up on radar with this thing.

    Captain K on
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited September 2008
    Mysst wrote: »
    Orik, we will fly from Canada via jetpack. This is agreeable, yes?

    possible high fives in flight?

    Naturally. And, if possible, synchronized barrel rolls.

    excellent.

    I am just picturing about 20 people from Canada flying in via jetpack and Homeland Security going off their rocker.
    It'll be just like that nazi propaganda film in the rocketeer.

    But with maple leafs.

    what was that comic you gave me called I was telling whippy about it

    Tube on
  • FAQFAQ Registered User regular
    edited September 2008
    it's still pretty cool bongi

    get that emoticon out of this thread

    FAQ on
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