Jet-powered Nausicaa Glider Project

SuperElectric writes "As reported on slashdot.jp, Opensky is a project led by media artist Kazuhiko Hachiya to implement a working, jet-powered version of Moewe, the vehicle (pic) that the heroine rides on in "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind". They've successfully test-flown (.mov, 8.6MB) a 1/2 scale model, and are moving into phase 2, which includes interviewing for test pilots (women only!). Can anybody knowledgeable in experimental aeronautics speculate on how doable this is? While it's not designed for general production (riders must be less than 50 kg/120 lbs), this would certainly beat Segway any day!"

Comments

Hmm Interesting Name

[dirkdidit]

"Jet-powered Nausicaa Glider"

Nausicaa? Is that like the hip name for vomit now-a-days?

Anyhow, it's jet powered so I think I'm naturally supposed to get excited about it! Woohoo! Jet-powered Nausicaa!

Re:Google Cache

[smr2x]

Well I see when you change your sig it changes previous posts and updates it with the new sig! How ... strange...

Re:Google Cache

[Anonymous Coward]

If my karma were as bad as yours, I'd post google cache links too.

I saw one of these

[Jonathan Platt]

I saw one of these, I think they call them hand gliders, Honastly, what a stupid invention, some people have too much time and money for their level of sense.

Re:You better have the reflexes of a barn swallow

[DigiShaman]

With an attitude like that, it's a wonder how Wright brothers managed to create a successful "flying machine". I mean, when you think about it, what they did was by far more dangerous!!! At least now, these guys are working with existing knowledge of flight mechanics.