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Now you have to believe a man can fly [Neat photo]
The Times (UK) ^ | December 30, 2006 | by Charles Bremner in Paris

Posted on 12/30/2006 6:06:00 AM PST by aculeus

For those who are bored with hang-gliding or find skydiving just too dull, a Swiss airline captain has devised the ultimate aerial thrill: flying like a bird.

Thanks to high technology and nerve, Yves Rossy has come closer than anyone to realising the ancient dream of soaring free, flitting through the sky, guided only by the body. As well as a crash helmet he wears a small pair of wings and four tiny jet engines.

As he skims the Alps at up to 187mph (300km/h), the only thing that the former fighter pilot has come up against so far is the Swiss law.

“They were totally confused,” said the birdman, whose flying suit gives him a passing resemblance to Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story. “The authorities said that I was an unregistered aircraft and to fly, you need a licence. I told them, ‘No. To fly, you need wings’.”

The 47-year-old pioneer does not live up to the image of the stolid Swiss captain. Boyish and brimming with enthusiasm, he is a hero in the world of those extreme sportsmen — or borderline nutters — who are devoted to the quest of human flight.

After millennia of fatal experiments, the skills of Icarus and Superman remained a fantasy until the recent advent of powered flight, hang-gliding and skydiving. In the past two decades, free-fall enthusiasts have developed webbed “wing-suits” that allow them to glide and even perform aerial ballet. But the direction is always downwards, followed by a parachute landing.

(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: aeronautics; aerospace; aerospaceengineering; flight
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To: Calpernia

"I'm proud to obey the laws of gravity :)!!!
"

In Mass., gravity is an evolving paradigm.


61 posted on 12/30/2006 7:19:17 AM PST by Humble Servant (Keep it simple - do what's right.)
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To: Humble Servant

As long as the ground is a constant :P


62 posted on 12/30/2006 7:21:05 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: whipitgood

Watch the video from post 3. He launches himself out of an airplane at altitude, flies with the wings with jet-assist, and then pops his parachute


63 posted on 12/30/2006 7:21:15 AM PST by SauronOfMordor (A planned society is most appealing to those with the arrogance to think they will be the planners)
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To: SauronOfMordor
>...launches himself out of an airplane at altitude, flies with the wings with jet-assist, and then pops his parachute

I'm thinking this one
is for Kari . . . Think she'll wear
a swimsuit for it?


64 posted on 12/30/2006 7:26:57 AM PST by theFIRMbss
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To: whipitgood

Why don't you view the video link instead of making foolish comments.


65 posted on 12/30/2006 7:31:55 AM PST by G Larry (Only strict constructionists on the Supreme Court!)
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To: SeeSalt

Quit "feeling" and watch the video provided in post #3.


66 posted on 12/30/2006 7:33:26 AM PST by G Larry (Only strict constructionists on the Supreme Court!)
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To: whipitgood

Hey genius, watch the video in post #3.

He DOES start out at greater than 100mph by jumping out of a plane in flight.


67 posted on 12/30/2006 7:35:24 AM PST by G Larry (Only strict constructionists on the Supreme Court!)
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To: whipitgood
..he would need at least 100+ MPH to take off.

Apparently, he stepped from a plane doing just that.

68 posted on 12/30/2006 7:40:00 AM PST by Thommas (The snout of the camel is in the tent..)
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To: aculeus

How does he land ?


69 posted on 12/30/2006 7:53:16 AM PST by traumer
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To: Two Thirds Vote Aye
Pinging you to an interesting thread. See post 3 for the video.

Is the snow still coming down in CO?

70 posted on 12/30/2006 7:55:06 AM PST by lysie (I pledge allegiance to this flag And if that bothers you, well that's too bad)
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To: whipitgood

When I jumped back in the 70's I thought of something like this, but I never got around to buying the rockets, building the wings...or even the paint, for that matter.

But I did jump out of a Pilatus, like this guy did. Yeah, I know. Big Deal.

I will give him the "Big Brass Ones" award for this toy.


71 posted on 12/30/2006 8:06:18 AM PST by Loud Mime (Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire)
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To: Loud Mime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFj1aDdyIcU&mode=related&search=

this guy flew in 2005 with out a wing


72 posted on 12/30/2006 8:24:57 AM PST by bluecollarman (#*%&@%* !)
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To: aculeus

That's amazing!


73 posted on 12/30/2006 8:25:38 AM PST by Irish_Thatcherite (A vote for Bertie Ahern is a vote for Gerry Adams!|What if I lecture Americans about America?)
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To: Calpernia; Tijeras_Slim; FireTrack; Pukin Dog; citabria; B Knotts; kilowhskey; cyphergirl; ...

74 posted on 12/30/2006 8:33:03 AM PST by Aeronaut (Hebrews 13:4)
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To: lysie

That is crazy


75 posted on 12/30/2006 8:36:26 AM PST by Mo1
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To: aculeus

$20 says he can't maintain a fixed altitude.


76 posted on 12/30/2006 8:38:41 AM PST by robertpaulsen
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To: bluecollarman

Yikes!


77 posted on 12/30/2006 8:52:58 AM PST by lysie (I pledge allegiance to this flag And if that bothers you, well that's too bad)
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To: aculeus
Why does size matter when it comes to discussions on man flying? Men CANT FLY, period.

What is the difference between this guy strapping wings on his back to me strapping a full airplane to my body? Birds fly, Man eats bird. We win, dammit.

78 posted on 12/30/2006 8:58:20 AM PST by Pukin Dog (Sans Reproache)
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To: Samwise; SAMWolf; alfa6

ping


79 posted on 12/30/2006 9:02:45 AM PST by Professional Engineer (As far as we know, all numbers are imaginary. some just hurt your brain more than others. ~ lepton)
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To: aculeus

Why Fly?


80 posted on 12/30/2006 9:19:23 AM PST by Dallas59 (HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!)
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