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Rocketman flies over Alps with jet-pack strapped to his back
dailymail.co.uk — Some people go fishing on their day off. Yves Rossy likes to jump out of a small plane with a pair of jet-powered wings on his back and loop the loop above the Swiss Alps. The self-built contraption took the former fighter pilot five years to build and perfect - and yesterday he gave it its maiden flight.
TalSiach- 1156 diggs
- digg it
- dtele, on 05/16/2008, -30/+11i already submitted that sorry - http://digg.com/gadgets/Rocket_Powered_BIRDMAN
- sanman, on 05/16/2008, -3/+5We should all email Peter Diamandis of X-Prize/Rocket-Racing-League, and urge him to support this as the new 21st-Century spectator sport. Hell, there would be wider participation, since the cost of building/operating these strap-on wings would be lower than the cost of building/operating racing aircraft/rocketships. This could become the motocross/NASCAR/Formula-1 of tomorrow. You could have events for racing, aerobatics, formation-flying, landing accuracy, and records for altitude, range, duration, etc. There could also be a laser tag event, water-bomb event, etc. Competition would help to evolve the platforms and improve their technology (helmets with HUDs, fly-by-wire, better composite materials, fuels, propulsion systems, etc). Once you get the revenue of a spectator sport happening, then you can offer good prize money, attract daredevils from all around, and sponsors will want their logos on their wings, etc. Hey, this thing seems made for eye-catching spectacle, so it could be a hit. It's just a matter of organizing it, and tapping the market demand. Imagine having your winged competitors actually jumping off the Goodyear blimp overhead, instead of just being televised by the blimp.
- bratterscain, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2Yes, sounds cool. But as far as adding all the materials, propulsion systems, etc, when does a man with jet wings become a man inside a flying craft, basically the same concept as your typical airplane with a man inside? With all the stuff, you lose the advantage of having a lightweight, mobile man/machine. With a heavier craft, you have a tactical advantage, ie, more weapon loadout, more technology that can be contained. But yeah, I guess for recreational sport, it may takeoff, pardon the pun.
- sanman, on 05/16/2008, -1/+2You could regulate it, just like you would with any other sport. Even with NASCAR, Formula-1, Motocross, etc, you have to meet certain requirements. You can't just make your race car into a tank, to trample your competitors. So, same idea for this. You'd have to meet certain requirements on weight, width, height, fuel, etc.
- bratterscain, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2Yes, sounds cool. But as far as adding all the materials, propulsion systems, etc, when does a man with jet wings become a man inside a flying craft, basically the same concept as your typical airplane with a man inside? With all the stuff, you lose the advantage of having a lightweight, mobile man/machine. With a heavier craft, you have a tactical advantage, ie, more weapon loadout, more technology that can be contained. But yeah, I guess for recreational sport, it may takeoff, pardon the pun.
- bratterscain, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2Yep, apparently the comments are a dupe, as well.
- CJ2020nz, on 05/16/2008, -1/+7this one is doing better than yours..
- MacTyler, on 05/16/2008, -1/+7Boo hoo
- thumbnailsbeta, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1There has to be at least 100 or topics that are submitted to digg constantly that have already been submitted! Some people miss a story every now and then!
I just hired a monkey to digg for me because I'm working my ass off lately! :-) - Buddhaismybuddy, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Maybe you should learn how to write a title.
- sanman, on 05/16/2008, -3/+5We should all email Peter Diamandis of X-Prize/Rocket-Racing-League, and urge him to support this as the new 21st-Century spectator sport. Hell, there would be wider participation, since the cost of building/operating these strap-on wings would be lower than the cost of building/operating racing aircraft/rocketships. This could become the motocross/NASCAR/Formula-1 of tomorrow. You could have events for racing, aerobatics, formation-flying, landing accuracy, and records for altitude, range, duration, etc. There could also be a laser tag event, water-bomb event, etc. Competition would help to evolve the platforms and improve their technology (helmets with HUDs, fly-by-wire, better composite materials, fuels, propulsion systems, etc). Once you get the revenue of a spectator sport happening, then you can offer good prize money, attract daredevils from all around, and sponsors will want their logos on their wings, etc. Hey, this thing seems made for eye-catching spectacle, so it could be a hit. It's just a matter of organizing it, and tapping the market demand. Imagine having your winged competitors actually jumping off the Goodyear blimp overhead, instead of just being televised by the blimp.
- dtele, on 05/16/2008, -23/+16Thanks TalSiach - just proves that you will walk over any friend to get a home page !
- Hoov, on 05/16/2008, -2/+1wut?
- AManWithNoName, on 05/16/2008, -3/+2Hey man, I'm not saying what the guy did is right or anything (I honestly have no clue what the real history here is) but whatever he did, it's really immature to bitch about it in his comments.
If you have friends who resubmit your articles as their own, just block their ass and get over it. The internet's a cruel mistress, and if you don't learn to live with it she'll chew you up. - MiddleOfNowhere, on 05/16/2008, -1/+6"Mooooommy, that other guy resubmitted my story!"
How old are you? Three?
- SpaceDreamer, on 05/16/2008, -1/+12video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-710489843 ...
http://www.jet-man.com/prod/index.html- grimreaperev, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Anybody know the name of the song used in the video? It's entrancing, I love it.
- malanic, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivtKcM1DGeY
- grimreaperev, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Thank you very much, I appreciate the link!
- malanic, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivtKcM1DGeY
- Rage67, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Better quality on BBC...
- asian1, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080515/video/vwl-r ...
- grimreaperev, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Anybody know the name of the song used in the video? It's entrancing, I love it.
- SpaceDreamer, on 05/16/2008, -1/+6His latest prototype and a press conference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dk9nKLDiQw
check out 1:46 and 4:22 - diggydougie, on 05/16/2008, -10/+9How does he land? Rollerskates?
- valis, on 05/16/2008, -1/+3Watch the video.
- thechr0nic, on 05/16/2008, -1/+5he has a parachute, he will land on his feet
You would have known this had you actually read the article and saw the 6th picture of him deploying his parachute.
even had you not been able to see the picture, you could have read the caption:
"Rossy attempts to land with his parachute after the demo flight"
- Happy_Phantom, on 05/16/2008, -1/+16I'd cough up $200K for one of those things, if I had $200K to cough up.
- valis, on 05/16/2008, -1/+3So would I, my friend. So would I.
- Dokument, on 05/16/2008, -1/+5*hack* *hack* *cough* *gag*
: ( no luck
- Dokument, on 05/16/2008, -1/+5*hack* *hack* *cough* *gag*
- thumperings, on 05/16/2008, -1/+1If he hits a bird he's toast.
- valis, on 05/16/2008, -1/+3So would I, my friend. So would I.
- INDOAZZ, on 05/16/2008, -14/+1A video of a crash would be priceless.
- Dokument, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1which is why nobody has done it. it has no value
- Heggy, on 05/16/2008, -1/+3So . . when can I get one?
- mokayogi, on 05/16/2008, -4/+36And i'm gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the earth so much i miss my wife
It's lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight
And i think it's gonna be a long long time
Till touch down brings me round again to find
I'm not the man they think i am at home
Oh no no no i'm a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone- Oppslagsverk, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Rock on you poet.
- RogaDanar, on 05/16/2008, -1/+1Hopefully that's the Shatner version.
- nunofgs, on 05/16/2008, -2/+1Holy crap. A David Fonseca reference? nobody's gonna get it dude. :)
EDIT: oh, wait, Elton John sang it first. Had no idea.
- diggydougie, on 05/16/2008, -15/+3Whatever
- SuperWinner, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Its funny, if I had seen this when I was a kid it would have blown my mind, but now as an adult all I can this is, what a huge waste of money.
- thespudmall, on 05/16/2008, -3/+1Looks like he's using off the shelf JetCat model turbine engines.
Hard to tell which model he's using due to all the models similarities.
http://www.jetcatusa.com/index.html- thespudmall, on 05/16/2008, -2/+1Also, the article says that each of the turbines provide 200 pounds thrust each. For that size it is impossible.
http://www.waoline.com/detente/hobby/Links/MicroTu ... - sharp357, on 05/16/2008, -2/+1They were custom made for the project, not off the shelf.
- thespudmall, on 05/16/2008, -1/+1I highly doubt that. Also, citation needed.
- thespudmall, on 05/16/2008, -2/+1Also, the article says that each of the turbines provide 200 pounds thrust each. For that size it is impossible.
- AndyStitzer, on 05/16/2008, -1/+9Should he be called the Rocketeer or Ironman?
- jonshipman, on 05/16/2008, -1/+2Rocketeer...
- greenvortex, on 05/16/2008, -2/+1Wouldn't it be sweet if they put him in the Iron Man costume to film scenes for the sequel? They could digitally erase the wings.
- Buddhaismybuddy, on 05/16/2008, -1/+1dude, the Iron man costume is CGI.
- nunofgs, on 05/16/2008, -1/+1Or they could do it all digitally like they did the movie and save $200K a trip.
- halvertos, on 05/16/2008, -7/+3this has nothing to do with the story, but the new comment system looks real nice. ...and it works too!!!
- breezytrees, on 05/16/2008, -7/+1crazy germans. Here's another one:
- sharp357, on 05/16/2008, -1/+4YA, except he's Swiss.
- Oppslagsverk, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2Not German, and not another one. You fail.
- Anth, on 05/16/2008, -1/+7I just want to do it at least once before I die. I'll pay $10,000. That would be so ***** awesome. Just flying around....
- Jan33, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2ever think it might be the reason you would die in the first place?
- ryanonfire, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Why do I always see stories like this on my sunrise before digg
- bokep, on 05/16/2008, -1/+12I don't know about you, but that's ***** awesome. It's like hang gliding on steroids, and hang gliding is already awesome. That dude is full of win. I've never been so happy to digg a story in my whole life. Holy *****.
- pcslugster, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1keep it in your pants bud
but ya totally
- pcslugster, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1keep it in your pants bud
- FinalSight, on 05/16/2008, -2/+24Buzz Lightyear anyone?
- Intamin, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1To infinity and beyond!
You're a TOY Buzz!!!
- Intamin, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1To infinity and beyond!
- ChromaVita, on 05/16/2008, -5/+5That's not flying. It's.... landing with style.
- PhoenixAvatar2, on 05/16/2008, -1/+3falling...
- VacuitysBane, on 05/20/2008, -0/+0If what goes up must come down...is there any other way?
- killbert24, on 05/16/2008, -1/+2Blast! The stormtroopers have gotten some upgrades....
Look out for that pla... WHOA. That wasn't pretty. - gskrilla, on 05/16/2008, -4/+8***** Epic!
- H3BR3W, on 05/16/2008, -1/+23I don't think there's a word for how badass this is.
- cmart332, on 05/16/2008, -5/+5That's totally something he can hold over other people for the rest of your life. He can describe events and things in ways that people can't relate - "that party was so awesome man like I'd say it was about half as awesome as flying over the Alps with a ***** jack pack which is pretty sweet... just ya know not flying over the Alps with a jack pack sweet." Or when everyone's talking about how successful they have been just drop in with "did I mention I flew over the Alps... WITH A ***** JET PACK."
In short - it's an epic story. - aussieNickuss, on 05/16/2008, -1/+4That's awesome. He'd have to carry a fair bit of fuel onboard though. I've seen those 200lb model jet engines rip through a litre of fuel in less than two minutes when running at full thrust.....and he's got four of them!!!
- sharp357, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2One of his other video's on youtube he had hot water bottles filled with fuel zipped up in his suit.
- Modestexcuse, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1That's crazy in itself. If he hit anything, he'd explode in seconds. Very cool though!
- Jan33, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1have you ever seen anything exploding in hours? Or days?
Ok the sun. meh.
- Jan33, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1have you ever seen anything exploding in hours? Or days?
- Modestexcuse, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1That's crazy in itself. If he hit anything, he'd explode in seconds. Very cool though!
- sharp357, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2One of his other video's on youtube he had hot water bottles filled with fuel zipped up in his suit.
- rickyisawesome, on 05/16/2008, -3/+46TONY STARK BUILT THIS IN A CAVE!!!!
- killbert24, on 05/16/2008, -2/+24WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS!
- jamesdew, on 05/16/2008, -2/+0sorry, he's not Tony Stark
- A11YND, on 05/16/2008, -6/+1WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS!
- Jrepass, on 05/16/2008, -3/+1Dugg for awesome non sequitur!
- Jan33, on 05/16/2008, -1/+1WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS AHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAAARRGH
- killbert24, on 05/16/2008, -2/+24WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS!
- alphaeno, on 05/16/2008, -1/+3Cant wait to see some Shadow Teams being deployed. We better build some missile squads and shock troopers...
- hypodan, on 05/16/2008, -1/+2It seems someday Human flight might be a reality for rich risk takers. Very cool indeed.
- digidelia, on 05/16/2008, -0/+4did no one think to... you know... strap a camera TO him?
- PhoenixAvatar2, on 05/16/2008, -4/+15How has this not been said yet...?
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!- palehorse864, on 05/16/2008, -1/+2I was shocked it took that long.
- AFCdtLoeb, on 05/16/2008, -1/+2Wow. Pure flight. Not sitting in something that flies, not falling with style. Real, actual, flight. The ultimate dream.
- over900000, on 05/16/2008, -1/+3That must have been one hell of a rush. The video was amazing!
- thumbnailsbeta, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0I just saw this guy on the news! I wonder how many people were hurt testing it for flight before this guy got the nerve to go rocket man crazy!
- fastreal, on 05/16/2008, -3/+0This is old news I saw it here http://www.fireblades.org quite a while ago!
- thumbnailsbeta, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0He looks like one of the storm troopers in star wars!
- uglybanana, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0Storm troopers are in Star Wars? WTF!
- sdix00, on 05/16/2008, -1/+21947 just called and said "Finally, you ***** got a clue." We have had this ability for 50 years and we are just NOW getting to it? Lazy earthlings.
- Bromskloss, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2That's not what you would typically call a jet pack. I mean, he wears wings as well. To me, at least, a jet pack is something that points downwards and hovers you directly by expelling propellant, not by giving you a high speed sideways and relying on wings for lift.
- BetterThanYou, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2"Rocketman flies over Alps with jet-pack strapped to his back"
How else would he do it? With a blimp?- mentor, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1With rockets?
- StillFly3, on 05/16/2008, -2/+0In response to the person that said "Whatever" .... You're an idiot- This is the coolest thing EVER
- Ninjapope, on 05/16/2008, -0/+4Holy *****. It's Ace from Centurions!
- kravex, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Thanks, I couldn't think of that TV show last night when I saw it on the news :-)
- CSHYDRASHOK, on 05/16/2008, -3/+2Seen video over a year ago on youtube
- SwampyUK, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Please point to it, otherwise the words 'yesterday' and 'maiden flight' in the article text might prove you wrong.
- jimmyclyde, on 05/16/2008, -1/+8Centurions go! POWER EXTREME!
- Raerth, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2Do you know how old that makes us sound?
- Modestexcuse, on 05/16/2008, -1/+3Doesn't matter how old it is, or who submitted it first. I haven't seen this yet. That was cool as hell. I really like the spins he did at 3:08. I didn't see any loops though, anyone else?
Amazing to say the least. - Tehkeelah, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0Balls of adamantite.
- Jan33, on 05/16/2008, -1/+4NEEDZ MOAR WEPONZ
- djloekee27, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0that's what i was going to say.
cnn: in today's news another man was killed in a fly by shooting...
fox news: in todays news, another man was killed in a fly by shooting and we think obama did the shooting... even tho' we have no proof but we'll make up some proof and tell you about it later.
- djloekee27, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0that's what i was going to say.
- Zebceponaf, on 05/16/2008, -1/+8That is probably the coolest thing I've ever seen. On digg, and in real life.
- OrangeStar01, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Ha! I know which other diggers are as old as I am by the Centurions references!
*sings* Centurions! Power extreeeeme! Man annnd machine! - UCFartstudntJON, on 05/16/2008, -0/+2"I am concentrating so hard".... Don't die, don't die, oh my god I'm gonna die, I'm about to die, no don't think like that Rossy, you can do this, I'm gonna get blown away, ooh look at the bird, I'm a dead man.
- Jan33, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1lolz!
- Kidman13, on 05/16/2008, -1/+2There is a incredibly uncanny resemblance to Ace McCloud from the Centurions. Can't say I never dreamed about this as a kid/adult...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5168yjG3Qw- kravex, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1He's off to fight Doc Terror!
- d3ficit, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Now to make those wings invisible...
- flxfxp, on 05/16/2008, -3/+3Cause he's a rocketmannn. ROCKETMAAAAANNNNNNNNN
- Jan33, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1burnin up the danananaNAnana
-
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