Simviation Forum - Freefall across The Channel!

Jul 29^th, 2003 at 4:40am

ozzy72 Offline
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A 34-year-old man will attempt to become the first person to fly unassisted across the English Channel tomorrow by jumping from 30,000 feet and turning himself into a human glider.
"I'm my own plane," said the Austrian-born Felix Baumgartner, who will don an aerodynamic jump suit with 6ft carbon-fibre wing strapped to his back for the attempt.
Weather permitting, the former mechanic and motorcross driver will jump from a plane over Dover at around 4am, a time cleared by air traffic controllers.
He could reach speeds of up to 220mph and encounter temperatures as low as -50C and will have an oxygen supply for the start of his journey.
He hopes to land, 10 minutes after he leaps out of the plane, at a site near Calais. He is calling the challenge Icarus Two.

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #1 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 4:52am

Hagar Offline
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Ozzy, I think you already know my opinion of people who jump out of perfectly serviceable aircraft so we won't dwell on that. Tongue

I'm surprised this has never been attempted before. I remember seeing the pioneer birdman Léo Valentin doing all sorts of tricks over 50 years ago. http://www.bpa.org.uk/skydive/pages/articles/apr00/lionatheart.htm
He used to jump out of a Fieseler Storch among other types. Valentin is regarded as the father of skydiving.

Needless to say he was tragically killed when one of his stunts went wrong.
Quote:

Léo Valentin died 1956 as he hit a part of his wings with the plane on exit, which resulted in a spin he could not stop, and resulted in a malfunction in his parachute.

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Reply #2 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 4:59am

ozzy72 Offline
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As a big fan of jumping out of planes (for some 13 years I've been doing it now on and off) I know where you are coming from, but adrenalin junkies need a fix, and this is a great way to get one Shocked

I hope this guy makes it, a couple of years ago some Dutch and Belgian skydivers developed the Bat Suit, a freefall overall with wings between the arms and legs and between the legs to allow them to make a surface that would enable them to freefall great distances. Incredible! They did a jump over the Hook of Holland and set the current record for the greatest distance covered in freefall.
I hope this guy makes it, it would be simply incredible Shocked

Ozzy

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Reply #3 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 5:22am

Hagar Offline
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Don't get me wrong. I hope he makes it too. That Bat Suit sounds very much like the "wings" Valentin & other birdmen were using all those years ago. The principle is exactly the same. The only difference would be in the modern lightweight materials.

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Reply #4 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 9:04am

ozzy72 Offline
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A little more sophisticated that than. More like the flaps of skin on the flying squirrel...

Ozzy Grin

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Reply #5 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 1:27pm

BFMF Offline
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hope to guy makes it

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Reply #6 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 1:39pm

Tequila Sunrise Offline
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Damn I wanna try that now Roll Eyes

well maybey not -50 Shocked

brrrr.... (wish we had a blue shaking smilie)

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Reply #7 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 1:53pm

visitor;AKA:X Ex Member

TOTAL INSANITY!!!

Sure would like to be the camara man
that goes with him!!!!

X
Brad

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Reply #8 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 2:31pm

Scottler Offline
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If anyone will be sailing in the channel, might wanna bring a helmet. The forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies, and an 80% chance of Austrians... Wink

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Reply #9 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 2:50pm

ozzy72 Offline
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As long as you don't get caught up in his Lederhosen when he lands on you, you should be okay Grin

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Reply #10 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 2:55pm

Smoke2much Offline
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There will be plenty of warning, you should hear him yodelling from miles away.

Will

PS what does "Baumgartner" translate to?

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Reply #11 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 3:03pm

BFMF Offline
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lol

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Reply #12 - Jul 29^th, 2003 at 3:13pm

Hagar Offline
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I hope ATI is not sailing around in the Channel wearing his best Wehrmacht helmet with the pointy thingy on the top. That could be a tad painful. Ouch.............!
Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. LOL Grin

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