Simviation Forums

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.

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

I'm surprised this has never been attempted before. I remember seeing the pioneer birdman L

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
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

Ozzy

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.

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

Ozzy

hope to guy makes it

Damn I wanna try that now
well maybey not -50  :o brrrr.... (wish we had a blue shaking smilie)

TOTAL INSANITY!!!

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

X
Brad

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...

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

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

Will

PS what does "Baumgartner" translate to?

lol

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