Posted on 01/15/2007 4:12:08 PM PST by Reaganesque
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_paragliding
Already been done. Bear Grylls, the host of a silly show on Discovery channel, is preparing to attempt to summit Mt. Everest using a powered paraglider later this year. http://www.gknmissioneverest.com/
They are testing the paraglider engines above the 15000 ft limit soon. I have my doubts.
Yeah, but using it backpack style on a boat would just be dumb. If it were mounted a couple feet behind the seat and relied on a rudder for steering though then it would work pretty well. You wouldn't be able to totally swamp it like you can with a regular kayak, but you'd still have a cartopable boat that could handle rough water and be launched anywhere and you wouldn't have to worry about strong currents and high winds blowing you off course.
Notre Dame University tried to design one during the Viet Nam war as a recovery device for Pilots.
Too big for an F-4 Phantom, but it worked OK.
Small blurb there ............... FRegards
http://www.ronpatrickstuff.com/
Have a look at this 1350 HP jet engine mounted inside a new VW beetle.
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