Members Hearafter Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 For those of you expecting chicks in bikinis... my appologies, but this is about a dude... DOVER, England - A Swiss daredevil crossed the English Channel strapped to a homemade jet-propelled wing Friday, parachuting into a field near the white cliffs of Dover after a 10-minute solo flight. Yves Rossy leapt from a plane at more than 8,800 feet (2,500 meters), fired up his jets and made the 22-mile (35-kilometer ) trip from Calais in France. Rossy passed over a thin strip of land in front of South Foreland lighthouse, looped over onlookers and opened his parachute, his wings still strapped to his back. "It was perfect. Blue sky, sunny, no clouds, perfect conditions," he said. "We prepared everything and it was great." The trip across the Channel is meant to trace the route of French aviator Louis Bleriot, the first person to cross in an airplane 99 years ago. The lighthouse was the site of Guglielmo Marconi's experiments with radio telegraphy in 1898. Bleriot used the white building as a target during his pioneering flight, the building's manager, Simon Ovenden, said. Several hundred spectators rushed to greet the pilot, trying to take photographs with cameras and cell phones. "It's a remarkable achievement, we saw the climax of his attempt as he came down to earth with his parachute. It's been an exciting afternoon," said Geoff Clark, a 54-year-old onlooker from Chatham, in Kent. The carbon composite-wing weighs about 121 pounds (55 kilograms) when loaded with fuel, and carried four kerosene-burning jet turbines that kept him aloft. The wing had no steering devices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ThudMaker Posted September 26, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 26, 2008 I saw this. It's pretty cool. I'm wondering how soon this device will become standard military issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted September 26, 2008 CMS Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 Wait. He started from an altitude of 8,800 feet? Big {censored}ing deal; a good parachute will get you across the Channel from 8,800 feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hearafter Posted September 26, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Wait. He started from an altitude of 8,800 feet? Big {censored}ing deal; a good parachute will get you across the Channel from 8,800 feet. A good parachute will carry you over 22 miles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chunky-b Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 A good parachute will carry you over 22 miles? and in 15 minutes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WillPlay4food Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Awesome, that is totally awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DevilRaysFan Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Plus, they put holes in cheese!! They are teh RAWK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chunky-b Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bluedogaudio Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DevilRaysFan Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 The Orgasmatron! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pickdust Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Now thet's anoive!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Darkstorm Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Kewl. I want one of those. Maybe less troublesome for going to and from work at times. Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Renfield Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 That's just a nuisance. You have to dismantle the nail clippers to take it on board a plane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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