Escape Artists

Escape Pod => Science Fiction Discussion => Topic started by: Heradel on July 29, 2008, 02:04:37 PM

Title: Jetpack!
Post by: Heradel on July 29, 2008, 02:04:37 PM

(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/07/29/us/29jetpack.600.jpg)

I love the Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/science/29jetpack.html?hp=&pagewanted=all).

Title: Re: Jetpack!
Post by: wintermute on July 29, 2008, 02:05:55 PM

I love Egyptian kings!

Title: Re: Jetpack!
Post by: Darwinist on July 29, 2008, 04:17:14 PM

Cool!  But I prefer the crazy rocket wings that the guy was flying around with earlier this year.  The EAA is awesome.  Been there many times but won't make it this year.   

Title: Re: Jetpack!
Post by: Windup on July 31, 2008, 03:33:12 AM

Quote

“People come up and go, ‘Is it safe?’ ” Mr. Martin said. “Safety is a relative thing. We think we have done a lot to make this by far the safest jetpack ever built.” But, he acknowledged, “It’s not a high bar.”

My prediction: with a gift for understatement like that, this guy will go far...

Title: Re: Jetpack!
Post by: Planish on August 13, 2008, 02:46:12 AM

I dunno.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=vyb6vnX1My0&feature=related
A pair of stilts might be as much fun, since they hardly ever let go of it and it only goes up 6 feet. Sounds like a ground-effect thing going on.

Ooh - maybe try a powered parachute:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=fCLu2ex7jMA
I watched a documentary where some guys took one (out of two) over Mt Everest.

Title: Re: Jetpack!
Post by: Russell Nash on August 13, 2008, 06:27:01 AM

Quote from: Planish on August 13, 2008, 02:46:12 AM

I dunno.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=vyb6vnX1My0&feature=related
A pair of stilts might be as much fun, since they hardly ever let go of it and it only goes up 6 feet. Sounds like a ground-effect thing going on.

The pilot in the video is the reporter on his first try.  They just didn't want him to kill himself.