peacefuljeffrey 0 #126 December 6, 2004 QuoteOk, what do you want to bet? Let's make it something really good, because I think we're going to have to donate some to widows and orphans. quadeQuote How about a free tandem with video? -Jeffrey-Jeffrey "With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites CieloDiosa 0 #127 December 6, 2004 how was it an accident? what happened?! if he landed and lived thats amazing ~boogie ho!! pull before impact! L.A.S.T#14, PMS #309, Ci EL O DI O SA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites diablopilot 2 #128 December 6, 2004 QuoteBTW, I'm assuming this -has- to be a BASE jump as (at least in the US) it would be illegal to do this from an aircraft. Depends on your definition of "without the aid of a parachute". Is he allowed to wear one as a back up, but not use it? If so he may leagaly jump from an A/C with a TSO'd 2 canopy system. There is no law that says you must open said parachute.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites quade 4 #129 December 6, 2004 Quote There is no law that says you must open said parachute. Yeah, but there is one about pilots being or allowing careless and reckless actions. I doubt there are many commercial pilots that are going to bet their livelihoods on the outcome of this and I doubt the FAA is going to see it as -anything- but careless and reckless.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ltdiver 3 #130 December 6, 2004 QuoteQuote There is no law that says you must open said parachute. Yeah, but there is one about pilots being or allowing careless and reckless actions. I doubt there are many commercial pilots that are going to bet their livelihoods on the outcome of this and I doubt the FAA is going to see it as -anything- but careless and reckless. Good point. Balloon jump, then? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites hookitt 1 #131 December 6, 2004 Real easy. Perform the wingsuit landing outside the US. I suspect a Parachute will be worn as a back up though.My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites quade 4 #132 December 6, 2004 Um, unless I'm mistaken . . . balloon pilots are also certificated by the FAA. quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bigway 4 #133 December 6, 2004 in new zealand the law is your parachute must be activated by 2000 feet, do you not have a law like this? .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bigway 4 #134 December 6, 2004 does anyone have any links to reading about this guy who landed a wingsuit and ended up in hospital? .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nacmacfeegle 0 #135 December 6, 2004 "I wonder if any one has asked him if he'd intentionally repeat the experience. Actually, I'm guessing he get's asked the question all the time . . . I'm just unaware of what his answer is. Something along the lines of, "next time switch the bloody camera on!" Weren't some Kiwi nutters exploring this thing, planning on landing on a ski slope. I reckon this is probably the only way to try this, preferably with a strong upslope wind....I'm guessing too much turbulence on a horizontal truck to be able to land on the bed.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Plummets 0 #136 December 6, 2004 Below is an extact from www.speedski.com , where the speed skier wipes out at 150mph and walks away with bruises. So jump over a speed skiing course and you're away, can't say it'd be a lot of fun but probably doable now with the right spot ! QuoteTry hitting 150 mph down the slope when you perform your next mackerel slap, that fish move where you fall down so suddenly you don't remember how you got yourself in that pretzel-shaped, call-the-ski-patrol heap. "Last year I fell going that fast," says two-time defending world speed skiing champ Jeff Hamilton from his new home near Aspen in Basalt, Colo. "You fly, thank goodness. Speed skiing is an ageless, thrilling and dangerous sport. (Allsport) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "PEOPLE THINK IT WOULD BE IMMEDIATE death, but you don't have anything to hit." Speed skiing courses aren't lined with gates or hay bales or trees. But gravity being what it is, the airborne speed skier (who brings new meaning to the freestyle skiing term "aerials") must eventually touch down. Hamilton, who is 30 and was the first human to ski 150 mph, flew the length of about four football fields before he landed after his flash fall. That's when he thought his rubber suit was going to burst into flames. "It hurts like you cannot believe," he says about his so-called reentry into the workaday world, where this native Californian owns and operates his own ski shop. Might want to cut those wings away immediately on landing though "Life is a bowl of deadly nightshade, stay way way out on the rim brother" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PLFKING 4 #137 December 6, 2004 QuoteDoesn't really matter, they're on a ballistic trajectory from the design of the jump and hillslope. Sure it does...a wingsuit would be trying to match that trajectory....and gravity is gravity -- if a skier is airborne and falling back to the slope for 5-6 seconds, isn't he doing about 20-30 mph forward speed and about 50-70 mph downward (WAG) ? I've heard of wingsuits slowing down to high 30s vertically....sounds landable to me given a long enough runout and the proper grade on the slope. Don"When in doubt I whip it out, I got me a rock-and-roll band. It's a free-for-all." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ltdiver 3 #138 December 6, 2004 QuoteUm, unless I'm mistaken . . . balloon pilots are also certificated by the FAA. But sir, I just turned my back for a second to check something and he was gone! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JeepDiver 0 #139 December 6, 2004 just curious, I'm a new jumper... would it be considered a landing if Jeb was to fly a wingsuit into a suspended net? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites turtlespeed 220 #140 December 6, 2004 So - simple solution for the reasearch - (And I want credit for this is it is used) - practice the landing and flare from - A - SKI JUMP! - The likelyhood of injury might be reduced because of the ability to acheive the speeds of "full flight" You could use a modified sled or something - and even attach a drouge to it to slow the initial accelleration down. Just because the person didn't initiate the flight from a plane or a rock, antennae, or bridge doesn't mean he didn't land it. I believe Earth is still considered part of BASE, No? So here's the scenario - 1) Go to where they had the last Winter Olympics 2) Put on "New" wingsuit (including an armoured front side) 3) Climb onto sled 4) Push off 5) Land on the slope after a relatively short flight. Or are you going to restrict the parameters of the flight further?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Hooknswoop 19 #141 December 6, 2004 QuoteOr are you going to restrict the parameters of the flight further? Jumping off a roof into a swimming pool isn't landing a WS. exit an aircraft at least 1,000 feet AGL and land it. Landing in water is OK, landing in snow is OK. I don't think either of those will be used though. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Ron 10 #142 December 6, 2004 QuoteDepends on your definition of "without the aid of a parachute". Is he allowed to wear one as a back up, but not use it? If so he may leagaly jump from an A/C with a TSO'd 2 canopy system. There is no law that says you must open said parachute. FAR's get read as needing TWO devices, one you plan on landing and one for emergencies. However, I doubt you could get an FAA guy to think that a wingsuit alone is enough to qualify as a primary device. People have been landing just jump suits since people started skydiving...They don't have a good track record"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RevJim 0 #143 December 6, 2004 I'm thinking that the stipulation would be to launch the wingsuit from any craft or object where the height is great enough for the human body to reach terminal velocity if the suit was not used. This way, some objects can be used, and some other objects will be off limits. Sure, some of the lower ones mean less speed, but we need horizontal speed to trade for lift. Without enough height/speed, there will never be enough lift.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites turtlespeed 220 #144 December 6, 2004 That is why a said to use the ski ramp . . . you could adjust the speed to start with - and increase it as the landing technique gets better. What are the speed requirements verticle vs horizontle? For instance, if the guy was strapped to a Nascar and was going 200mph on the ground, cut the car away and gained lift and landed - would that count?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kallend 2,027 #145 December 6, 2004 Until "LANDING" is defined, the whole thing doesn't make much sense. Put a ski jumper in a ski suit with itty bitty wings, and you have the first landed wing suit BASE jump. Prolly done years ago with no fanfare.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites wildblue 7 #146 December 6, 2004 QuoteSure it does...a wingsuit would be trying to match that trajectory.... I'm not sure that's possible. Skier is doing 20-30 forward. Wingsuit would be 3-4 times that - very small target for touchdown and no predetermined setup for it. Like quade said, roll a bowling ball off the jump and it'll touch down in the right spot.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Remster 30 #147 December 6, 2004 QuoteUntil "LANDING" is defined, the whole thing doesn't make much sense. How about we keep it simple? lol Landing: after a jump from a plane (chopper, balloon too) from at least 1000 ft, the jumper must touch down on the earth (snow or water OK) without any assistance to reduce speed from anything else then a wingsuit. EDIT: Happy Nac? You all know I cant type dammit! lolRemster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites turtlespeed 220 #148 December 6, 2004 QuoteQuoteUntil "LANDING" is defined, the whole thing doesn't make much sense. How about we keep it simple? lol Landing: after a fump from a plane (chopper, balloon too) from at least 1000 ft, the jumper must touch down on the earth (snow or water OK) without any assistance to reduce speed from anything else then a wingsuit. Because I think the WS pilot could reach the same speeds without the need of aircraft.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nacmacfeegle 0 #149 December 6, 2004 "How about we keep it simple? lol " Sheesh, its only a wee side bet between two pals, Derek and Paul are pals...right? But this fump of which you speak, now that intrigues me.....-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites flyingferret 0 #150 December 6, 2004 This whole thread is a bit funny in my opinion; a bunch of 'risktaking skydivers' arguing about a risk, and the benefit and practical applications. Here are my thoughts: I suspect similiar debate has occured around most firsts in our sport, including the idea to make it a sport, where is the practical application in that? "You mean you want to risk your life for fun?" I have no doubt it will happen, and given the current rate of advancement in technology, I suspect it will easily fit within the 6 year window discussed. There were attempted progressions toward wingsuit landing as far back as the 40s and 50s. I think we are near the climax of the learning curve. Defining landing as under control on a horizontal surface is foolish. Ask any current swooper about ground slope and what it can do for you. Most of us have probably landing on a slope of some degree during our sport experience. Additionally, this is a "first" I think the idea is to prove it possible and the refine it from there. The first squares sucked too. How knows what the options are quite yet. Practical application seems a bit of a misnomer too. For one, the practical application is fun. How many people would do this if possible? Jump and land on a snow slope. I sure would, albeit with a 100 jump learning curve. Even forgetting that....how about marketability? That is the number 1, practical application. This is a stunt...and it ups the anty for anything out there right now. As a sport we are saturating the market...a tandem skydive is no where near as extreme an idea as it was 10 years ago. We have made our sport safe and explained it to the world. Why do we all seek something new, BASE, wingsuits, swooping, etc. Because freefall itself is no longer "gee whiz" Don't get me wrong, I love every aspect of our sport from a high speed landing to a long cross country to crw. But the cutting edge of anything always drives the market in techonology, etc. It introduces attention and investment that really fuel the more conservative end of the spectrum. That was the point behind the X prize, etc. If this feat on snow, water, whatever does nothing but grab huge attention for the sport, I like it. Personally, I like looking like dare devils every once in a while. Isn't that we hype it up a little around whuffos and students a little bit. Any performer makes its look amazing while knowing that he has the risks calculated. I kind of like people thinking we are crazy loons sometimes, it adds to the fun. Jump a pumpkin, fly a freefly tube, fly a ball, jump off a building, land a wingsuit.....it is all part of a progression, and as the entry level becomes more ordinary and safely engineered, some of us will always push the edges. Ask a guy named Yeager about it...-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next Page 6 of 9 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
CieloDiosa 0 #127 December 6, 2004 how was it an accident? what happened?! if he landed and lived thats amazing ~boogie ho!! pull before impact! L.A.S.T#14, PMS #309, Ci EL O DI O SA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #128 December 6, 2004 QuoteBTW, I'm assuming this -has- to be a BASE jump as (at least in the US) it would be illegal to do this from an aircraft. Depends on your definition of "without the aid of a parachute". Is he allowed to wear one as a back up, but not use it? If so he may leagaly jump from an A/C with a TSO'd 2 canopy system. There is no law that says you must open said parachute.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #129 December 6, 2004 Quote There is no law that says you must open said parachute. Yeah, but there is one about pilots being or allowing careless and reckless actions. I doubt there are many commercial pilots that are going to bet their livelihoods on the outcome of this and I doubt the FAA is going to see it as -anything- but careless and reckless.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #130 December 6, 2004 QuoteQuote There is no law that says you must open said parachute. Yeah, but there is one about pilots being or allowing careless and reckless actions. I doubt there are many commercial pilots that are going to bet their livelihoods on the outcome of this and I doubt the FAA is going to see it as -anything- but careless and reckless. Good point. Balloon jump, then? ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #131 December 6, 2004 Real easy. Perform the wingsuit landing outside the US. I suspect a Parachute will be worn as a back up though.My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #132 December 6, 2004 Um, unless I'm mistaken . . . balloon pilots are also certificated by the FAA. quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #133 December 6, 2004 in new zealand the law is your parachute must be activated by 2000 feet, do you not have a law like this? .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigway 4 #134 December 6, 2004 does anyone have any links to reading about this guy who landed a wingsuit and ended up in hospital? .Karnage Krew Gear Store . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #135 December 6, 2004 "I wonder if any one has asked him if he'd intentionally repeat the experience. Actually, I'm guessing he get's asked the question all the time . . . I'm just unaware of what his answer is. Something along the lines of, "next time switch the bloody camera on!" Weren't some Kiwi nutters exploring this thing, planning on landing on a ski slope. I reckon this is probably the only way to try this, preferably with a strong upslope wind....I'm guessing too much turbulence on a horizontal truck to be able to land on the bed.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plummets 0 #136 December 6, 2004 Below is an extact from www.speedski.com , where the speed skier wipes out at 150mph and walks away with bruises. So jump over a speed skiing course and you're away, can't say it'd be a lot of fun but probably doable now with the right spot ! QuoteTry hitting 150 mph down the slope when you perform your next mackerel slap, that fish move where you fall down so suddenly you don't remember how you got yourself in that pretzel-shaped, call-the-ski-patrol heap. "Last year I fell going that fast," says two-time defending world speed skiing champ Jeff Hamilton from his new home near Aspen in Basalt, Colo. "You fly, thank goodness. Speed skiing is an ageless, thrilling and dangerous sport. (Allsport) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "PEOPLE THINK IT WOULD BE IMMEDIATE death, but you don't have anything to hit." Speed skiing courses aren't lined with gates or hay bales or trees. But gravity being what it is, the airborne speed skier (who brings new meaning to the freestyle skiing term "aerials") must eventually touch down. Hamilton, who is 30 and was the first human to ski 150 mph, flew the length of about four football fields before he landed after his flash fall. That's when he thought his rubber suit was going to burst into flames. "It hurts like you cannot believe," he says about his so-called reentry into the workaday world, where this native Californian owns and operates his own ski shop. Might want to cut those wings away immediately on landing though "Life is a bowl of deadly nightshade, stay way way out on the rim brother" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFKING 4 #137 December 6, 2004 QuoteDoesn't really matter, they're on a ballistic trajectory from the design of the jump and hillslope. Sure it does...a wingsuit would be trying to match that trajectory....and gravity is gravity -- if a skier is airborne and falling back to the slope for 5-6 seconds, isn't he doing about 20-30 mph forward speed and about 50-70 mph downward (WAG) ? I've heard of wingsuits slowing down to high 30s vertically....sounds landable to me given a long enough runout and the proper grade on the slope. Don"When in doubt I whip it out, I got me a rock-and-roll band. It's a free-for-all." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #138 December 6, 2004 QuoteUm, unless I'm mistaken . . . balloon pilots are also certificated by the FAA. But sir, I just turned my back for a second to check something and he was gone! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeepDiver 0 #139 December 6, 2004 just curious, I'm a new jumper... would it be considered a landing if Jeb was to fly a wingsuit into a suspended net? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #140 December 6, 2004 So - simple solution for the reasearch - (And I want credit for this is it is used) - practice the landing and flare from - A - SKI JUMP! - The likelyhood of injury might be reduced because of the ability to acheive the speeds of "full flight" You could use a modified sled or something - and even attach a drouge to it to slow the initial accelleration down. Just because the person didn't initiate the flight from a plane or a rock, antennae, or bridge doesn't mean he didn't land it. I believe Earth is still considered part of BASE, No? So here's the scenario - 1) Go to where they had the last Winter Olympics 2) Put on "New" wingsuit (including an armoured front side) 3) Climb onto sled 4) Push off 5) Land on the slope after a relatively short flight. Or are you going to restrict the parameters of the flight further?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #141 December 6, 2004 QuoteOr are you going to restrict the parameters of the flight further? Jumping off a roof into a swimming pool isn't landing a WS. exit an aircraft at least 1,000 feet AGL and land it. Landing in water is OK, landing in snow is OK. I don't think either of those will be used though. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #142 December 6, 2004 QuoteDepends on your definition of "without the aid of a parachute". Is he allowed to wear one as a back up, but not use it? If so he may leagaly jump from an A/C with a TSO'd 2 canopy system. There is no law that says you must open said parachute. FAR's get read as needing TWO devices, one you plan on landing and one for emergencies. However, I doubt you could get an FAA guy to think that a wingsuit alone is enough to qualify as a primary device. People have been landing just jump suits since people started skydiving...They don't have a good track record"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #143 December 6, 2004 I'm thinking that the stipulation would be to launch the wingsuit from any craft or object where the height is great enough for the human body to reach terminal velocity if the suit was not used. This way, some objects can be used, and some other objects will be off limits. Sure, some of the lower ones mean less speed, but we need horizontal speed to trade for lift. Without enough height/speed, there will never be enough lift.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #144 December 6, 2004 That is why a said to use the ski ramp . . . you could adjust the speed to start with - and increase it as the landing technique gets better. What are the speed requirements verticle vs horizontle? For instance, if the guy was strapped to a Nascar and was going 200mph on the ground, cut the car away and gained lift and landed - would that count?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #145 December 6, 2004 Until "LANDING" is defined, the whole thing doesn't make much sense. Put a ski jumper in a ski suit with itty bitty wings, and you have the first landed wing suit BASE jump. Prolly done years ago with no fanfare.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #146 December 6, 2004 QuoteSure it does...a wingsuit would be trying to match that trajectory.... I'm not sure that's possible. Skier is doing 20-30 forward. Wingsuit would be 3-4 times that - very small target for touchdown and no predetermined setup for it. Like quade said, roll a bowling ball off the jump and it'll touch down in the right spot.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #147 December 6, 2004 QuoteUntil "LANDING" is defined, the whole thing doesn't make much sense. How about we keep it simple? lol Landing: after a jump from a plane (chopper, balloon too) from at least 1000 ft, the jumper must touch down on the earth (snow or water OK) without any assistance to reduce speed from anything else then a wingsuit. EDIT: Happy Nac? You all know I cant type dammit! lolRemster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #148 December 6, 2004 QuoteQuoteUntil "LANDING" is defined, the whole thing doesn't make much sense. How about we keep it simple? lol Landing: after a fump from a plane (chopper, balloon too) from at least 1000 ft, the jumper must touch down on the earth (snow or water OK) without any assistance to reduce speed from anything else then a wingsuit. Because I think the WS pilot could reach the same speeds without the need of aircraft.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #149 December 6, 2004 "How about we keep it simple? lol " Sheesh, its only a wee side bet between two pals, Derek and Paul are pals...right? But this fump of which you speak, now that intrigues me.....-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #150 December 6, 2004 This whole thread is a bit funny in my opinion; a bunch of 'risktaking skydivers' arguing about a risk, and the benefit and practical applications. Here are my thoughts: I suspect similiar debate has occured around most firsts in our sport, including the idea to make it a sport, where is the practical application in that? "You mean you want to risk your life for fun?" I have no doubt it will happen, and given the current rate of advancement in technology, I suspect it will easily fit within the 6 year window discussed. There were attempted progressions toward wingsuit landing as far back as the 40s and 50s. I think we are near the climax of the learning curve. Defining landing as under control on a horizontal surface is foolish. Ask any current swooper about ground slope and what it can do for you. Most of us have probably landing on a slope of some degree during our sport experience. Additionally, this is a "first" I think the idea is to prove it possible and the refine it from there. The first squares sucked too. How knows what the options are quite yet. Practical application seems a bit of a misnomer too. For one, the practical application is fun. How many people would do this if possible? Jump and land on a snow slope. I sure would, albeit with a 100 jump learning curve. Even forgetting that....how about marketability? That is the number 1, practical application. This is a stunt...and it ups the anty for anything out there right now. As a sport we are saturating the market...a tandem skydive is no where near as extreme an idea as it was 10 years ago. We have made our sport safe and explained it to the world. Why do we all seek something new, BASE, wingsuits, swooping, etc. Because freefall itself is no longer "gee whiz" Don't get me wrong, I love every aspect of our sport from a high speed landing to a long cross country to crw. But the cutting edge of anything always drives the market in techonology, etc. It introduces attention and investment that really fuel the more conservative end of the spectrum. That was the point behind the X prize, etc. If this feat on snow, water, whatever does nothing but grab huge attention for the sport, I like it. Personally, I like looking like dare devils every once in a while. Isn't that we hype it up a little around whuffos and students a little bit. Any performer makes its look amazing while knowing that he has the risks calculated. I kind of like people thinking we are crazy loons sometimes, it adds to the fun. Jump a pumpkin, fly a freefly tube, fly a ball, jump off a building, land a wingsuit.....it is all part of a progression, and as the entry level becomes more ordinary and safely engineered, some of us will always push the edges. Ask a guy named Yeager about it...-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
