Wing Suits... ?

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by ERH

Sooner or later:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/626784-jeb-corliss-wingsuit.html

Actually the OP video is better but the Jeb Corliss GTC video has a far better soundtrack. So I call tie.

[aigel]

Like I mentioned in the Jeb Corliss thread linked above, the death rate is 1 out of 6 people engaged in the sport. I am with Vash - only way I'd do it is if I had a very certain terminal disease. If you go to the base jump death page in the Jeb Corliss thread, it is a sad summary of young lives lost to this.

G

[aigel]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Whats the glide ratio? 100 to 1?

2.5:1 according to wikipedia. I have read 3:1 before.

G

[Rtrorkt]

boy are my arms tired

[daepp]

We saw them doing this in Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. From the casual observer it appears to be when, not if they will be terminal.

[widebody911]

So you want "expensive"? Add a couple of small turbine engines

from Phoenix Fly on Vimeo.

[pavulon]

^^where do you put a fire extinguisher?

[bell]

I'm more curious on the stall characteristics......one minute you're carving through the trees the next one you're just falling lol

[aigel]

Originally Posted by bell

I'm more curious on the stall characteristics......one minute you're carving through the trees the next one you're just falling lol

Add to that the quite unpredictable temperature and wind turbulence in the mountains.

I have read up on this "hobby" quite a bit. It looks like there are mountains that are relatively safe to jump, while others are more hairy, with the ground coming a lot closer, leaving little to no room for error. This sport is of course full of young guys dripping testosterone, so jumping off an easy mountain or just an airplane isn't going to cut it.

If I'd do anything close, it would be hang gliding. For now I am working towards one day getting a pilots license. I like the help of combustion engines.

G

[jwgn777]

Originally Posted by bell

I'm more curious on the stall characteristics......one minute you're carving through the trees the next one you're just falling lol

At that air speed and flying down there is no stall characteristics unless you hit the mountain or the ground LOL I think I will just drive my 911 as a sport.

[ZOA NOM]

I'll be impressed when they can just flare out and land on their feet, or on the trunk of a tree like the squirrels do.

[jwgn777]

Definitely a high turnover rate of participants in this sport. LOL

[LakeCleElum]

So this guy travels from balmy Fla. to the Mountains of WA State in January (shows limited decision making ability right there). Been missing 2 months now:

Search resumes today for missing “wingsuit” skydiver near Mount Si | The Today File | Seattle Times

[tharbert]

Originally Posted by ZOA NOM

...or on the trunk of a tree like the squirrels do.

Coffee through nose....

[tharbert]

Google Dwain Weston. The first YouTube video will make you sick. Jeb Corliss was following Dwain and flew through the "debris" from his buddy hitting a bridge.

I'll pass.

[Zeke]

That makes street luge look like taking a tour around the local rink.

[widebody911]

A squirrel suit is one of several names for what are called wingsuits, specialized jumpsuits that have fabric between the arms and legs to create more lift.

I'm not an aerodynamicist and I don't play one in the bedroom when nobody is watching, but I think that instead of "create more lift" it should be "create more drag"

[gacook]

Originally Posted by aap1966

Anyone ever wonder about the military / special forces applications?

Already similar applications in place.