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Company Demos Personal Aircraft, Future Jetpack

Posted by Zonk on from the biggest-toybox-ever dept.

coondoggie writes "Earlier this week researchers with the company ESG Elektroniksystem in Germany demonstrated a form of 'strap-on jet wing' that lets a user truly fly through the air. The system, called Gryphon, consists of a six-foot wing and hand-held rotary controls for the rudder. The pilot has several different instruments available to him, including onboard oxygen and helmet that features a heads-up display. 'Researchers say the final version of the flying wing will contain an electronic system that will take care of some of the steering for the pilot which today can be a little tricky, researchers say. The company also plans to add small jets to the wing making it a true jetpack in the future.'"

98 comments

  1. Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by cmowire · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you read the article, you see that there's not an engine in the thing right now.

    This is a short and unwieldy wing that straps on your back and lets you fly farther from where you got dropped out of an airplane. You still need a parachute to land. You still need a real aircraft to lift you up for you to start your flight.

    Not nearly as impressive as the headline seems to indicate.

    --
    Gentoo Sucks
    1. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by MrDoh1 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Way to burst everyone's bubble by reading the article.

      --
      I am Homer of Borg. Resistance is Fut.. Mmmmmmmm, Donuts!
    2. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by CRC'99 · · Score: 1

      If you read the article, you see that there's not an engine in the thing right now.

      You just need to use your own bi-carb soda and vinegar solution. The forums are coming soon where you can discuss optimal thrust ratios.

      --
      Sendmail is like emacs: A nice operating system, but missing an editor and a MTA.
    3. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by nmb3000 · · Score: 1

      If you read the article, you see that there's not an engine in the thing right now.

      You are correct, it appears to be just a more technical (and perhaps better) form of the "Flying Squirrel" suit. I'm not sure how that suit would work in high-altitude drops or how it compares for surface area. Also, keeping your arms and legs spread like that over a long fall is probably pretty tiring, but being able to pull them in and drop faster might be useful.

      Looks fun in any case.

      --
      "What do you despise? By this are you truly known." --Princess Irulan, Manual of Muad'Dib
      /)
    4. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by rts008 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      See this link in TFA to help keep your bubble from completely bursting.http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,428830,00.html

      I know it goes against /. rules to RTFA, much less check out links in TFA, but in this case I did.

      Disclaimer: I was a paratrooper, and this intrigued me...I wish I could be a part of bringing this about, but my teflon kneecaps (from the last jump I ever made...#433) dissuade me from trying to keep up with the young ones now.

      I wish them all of the success in the world for this, military AND civilian applications!
      Fsck hang gliding, parasailing, etc...jump out of a C-130 at 20,000 ft. with a Gryphon and an O2 bottle and CRUISE like superman for more than a few very short minutes before having to 'pop the chute' and worry about the ground!

      Pedants need not reply...If you haven't went HALO, you have no concept of WTF is going on here!
      The only possible better physical experience than HALO, is HALO with sex...but there is that whole windchill/cold temp thing to deal with!

      --
      Down With Slashdot BETA!!! I've been around the corner and seen the oliphant; you can only abuse me from your perspecti
    5. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by jeti · · Score: 2, Interesting

      However, it's worth to follow the link to Yves Rossy.
      He has a working civilian version with engines strong enough for ascending.

    6. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      This is the real deal:
      http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jet-man&search=Search

      This is more "conventional":
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gcurwcPs3U

      Other people playing in a boring way:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THEcWrznicY

      And this is just for fun, with model rockets:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mjUZEsduIE

    7. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by LordSnooty · · Score: 1

      Thank you. *clicks Back*

    8. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by phoenixwade · · Score: 2, Funny

      Pedants need not reply...If you haven't went HALO, you have no concept of WTF is going on here! The only possible better physical experience than HALO, is HALO with sex...but there is that whole windchill/cold temp thing to deal with! The Master Chief says there are Two things better than HALO - and one of them is going to be released next week.

      --Wade

      --
      A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
    9. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by iNetRunner · · Score: 1

      Well, there is this Finn with a Wingsuit and rocket boots. =) Obvious the very limited amount of fuel he had didn't make it very spectacular, I suppose. (vs. e.g. Jet-Man)

      --
      Store with salt
    10. Re:Remember kiddies, this is not a real jet pack by Viol8 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      "The only possible better physical experience than HALO, is HALO with sex...but there is that whole windchill/cold temp thing to deal with!"

      I guess being a paratrooper you never got much time for good sex then. Unless you good ole boys packed the vaseline for those "quiet" nights.

  2. Daedalus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    When will they learn.

    1. Re:Daedalus by master_p · · Score: 1

      Q, is that you? :-)

  3. We had those in the '80s by Hamsterdan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, at least GI Joe and Cobra had them :)

    --
    I've got better things to do tonight than die.
  4. This sounds like... by kaan · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... an advanced, high-tech way to die. Seriously, a jet-powered vehicle where the frontmost thing is your head? At 135mph?

    1. Re:This sounds like... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why not?! People do something similarly suicidal all the time balancing precariously on two wheels.

      Hit a truck, hit the ground. One's really not any better than the other.

    2. Re:This sounds like... by TechForensics · · Score: 3, Informative

      This is very old news. Almost fifty years ago rigid wing assemblies, or "Batwings" as they were called, were banned in the skydiving community as simply too dangerous. Let's hope the present inventors (or maybe they are better called engineers) can do better.

      --
      Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.
    3. Re:This sounds like... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ... the next Jackass movie!

    4. Re:This sounds like... by nobuddy · · Score: 1

      At 135MPH, you can go feet first and you will still shater your melon when you hit something. The only difference is you get to feel everything else break up to that point. I elect head first, thank you.

  5. I, no ... well by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Funny

    There's got to be a good strap-on joke in here somewhere but I'm too many beers down to come up with it.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    1. Re:I, no ... well by Tesla15 · · Score: 1

      A couple more and something is bound to come up :)

    2. Re:I, no ... well by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 2, Funny

      A couple more, and it probably can't come up.

    3. Re:I, no ... well by ookabooka · · Score: 1

      All you have to do is strap this thing on, get it up, glide a little bit (perhaps back and forth (in the sky)) and then at the end, deploy the parachute

      I had a few as well, but at least I tried.

      --
      If you are about to mod me down, keep in mind that this post was most likely sarcastic.
    4. Re:I, no ... well by ookabooka · · Score: 1

      And 2 seconds after I submitted I realized "In the Sky" sounds a lot like "In this guy". . .damn I missed the opportunity to make that a really great pun. . oh well, serves me right for drinking on a Friday night.

      P.S. Does anyone else other than coders use nested parenthesis in writing something in English?

      --
      If you are about to mod me down, keep in mind that this post was most likely sarcastic.
    5. Re:I, no ... well by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 2, Informative

      P.S. Does anyone else other than coders use nested parenthesis in writing something in English?
      Well, the official way to do it (when you do it in English [writing, that is])is to alternate curved and square parentheses. This is similar to using nested quotes (alternating double and single quotes) where the rule tends to match in programming languages. Personally, I think that this would be useful in programming languages as well, but I don't recall seeing any that do it.
  6. Some videos by linhux · · Score: 4, Informative

    In german, but anyway some pretty pictures even if you don't understand the language. :-)

    http://www.spelco.eu/edit/content/file/DV141174_en/060817-zdf-heute-gryphon.mpg/Get.aspx
    http://www.spelco.eu/edit/content/file/DV141185_en/060827-spiegel-gryphon.mpg/Get.aspx
    http://www.spelco.eu/edit/content/file/DV141196_en/060915-galileo-gryphon.mpg/Get.aspx
    http://www.spelco.eu/edit/content/file/DV141207_en/Welt_der_Wunder.mpg/Get.aspx

    1. Re:Some videos by samwh · · Score: 1

      German videos with Strapons? Last time I watched one of those I got a visit from the FBI's Partyvan .

    2. Re:Some videos by E++99 · · Score: 2, Funny

      My German may be a bit rusty, but I think they were saying something about a Master Race and a new air invasion of Britain.

  7. Dude! by BitwizeGHC · · Score: 1

    Now I'll finally know what it's like to be Starscream!

    --
    N4st0r, trixx0r h0bb1tz0rz! Th3y st0l3 0ur pr3c10uzz!
  8. Re:where's my flying car by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wonder how it compares to the ACME Rocket that Wile E. Coyote tried to use.

  9. Re:where's my flying car by User+956 · · Score: 1

    I'm guessing the ACME rocket is not so good.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  10. Buck-and-a-quarter Quarter Staff by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yikes, and away!

  11. Safety..? by suv4x4 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    There's a reason why the more serious engineers of personal flying vehicles claim it's not possible to make it safe without making it fully automatic (computerized).

    It's not in the capability of an average man to pilot his own personal plane, be it just pair of wings on his back, unless a computer does 99.9% of the job. And if it does it, then it better be coordinated centrally with all other flying personal jets in the area. Automatically again.

    If they ever release this thing with jet engines, they'll probably make you sign tons of legalese that they're not responsible if you die within one minute of flight, not to mention you'll not be allowed to fly above, or near, urban areas.

    1. Re:Safety..? by (H)elix1 · · Score: 4, Interesting


      It's not in the capability of an average man to pilot his own personal plane, be it just pair of wings on his back, unless a computer does 99.9% of the job. And if it does it, then it better be coordinated centrally with all other flying personal jets in the area.

      I suspect you over estimate how hard it is to learn to fly. I flew solo after 10 hours of instruction, and that was with some pucker factor built in. Learning to crash (gracefully) and navigate ate up another 30 hours, and another 4 hours practicing for the test. The hardest part might just be the medical. (grin) Once you get past remembering to put the gear down, jet engine is not much harder than a constant speed prop.

      As for signing stuff... depends on how they license this thing. They sell it as under 'sport aircraft' regs, it takes even less training to fly less than even experimental. Usually the gating factor is getting someone willing to insure you.

      --
      +++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
    2. Re:Safety..? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh, come on! You're giving too much credit to the shittastic drivers out there. Just the other day I was driving behind a guy after classes with all of his lights off. Going 20 under the speed limit. Whatever his story was, you're still going to get people like him all over the place. With or without proper training.

    3. Re:Safety..? by smellsofbikes · · Score: 1

      There are dozens, if not hundreds, of cases where a pilot has been medically incapacitated and a passenger has, with radio instruction, managed to land the plane. *Flying* a plane is not hard. They mostly fly themselves. It's the organizational and emergency stuff -- what to do when the engine catches on fire or you fly into a cloud or you get lost, how to talk on the radio, how to navigate, how to calculate whether the plane's too heavy to take off from a short runway at high altitude on a hot day, and if so how much fuel you can drain out while still making it to a lower, cooler airport to refuel -- that distinguishes a pilot from someone who can fly a plane once in an emergency situation and land it without bending it too badly. I first "flew" an airplane when I was 8 and at that time I could make it turn gracefully and line it up with the runway.

      --
      Nostalgia's not what it used to be.
  12. A scream through the air... by xednieht · · Score: 0, Troll

    "at about 135MPH" sound fun until you hit the ground at 135MPH.

    Stupidest invention out there.

    Leave it to the Germans to come up with this retarded invention. Hey I have an idea why not wipe out anyone that is not blond and blue eyed.

    Guns aren't stupid... people are stupid, and sometimes there just aren't enough bullets.

    --

    Hope is the currency of fools
  13. If they are having trouble with the jet by Clockwork+Apple · · Score: 4, Informative

    Maybe they should ask Yves Rossy how he did it... a year or so ago.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHYXrqoS08o

    --
    "Doctor, it's not the voices I hear in MY head, but the voices I hear in YOUR head that really frighten me."
    1. Re:If they are having trouble with the jet by srmalloy · · Score: 1

      Thank you for digging that up; I knew I'd seen video of a similar device a while back, but couldn't remember where I'd seen it.

      From the picture in TFA, though, I remember seeing a diagram of an almost identical strap-on wing about two years ago (which equals eternity in Net time) on one of the "what's happening in defense research" websites; apparently they finally got enough of the bugs out of the design to be putting people up in the air with them. The original plans for the device, though, were to have it capable of takeoff, which neither the device in TFA nor Yves Rossy's wing will do; apparently engine design hasn't gotten the power-to-weight ratio necessary to be able to make the Rocketeer.

    2. Re:If they are having trouble with the jet by 9Nails · · Score: 1

      I must have missed the latest Episode of 007, because I'm certain that he would have a device just like this!

      Personally, I'd really like to see something like this with ground take-off capable and 3+ hr endurance. But I can see this as a success story and not just a cool blip on the radar like hover scooters or Segway's.

    3. Re:If they are having trouble with the jet by Big+Nemo+'60 · · Score: 1

      (I should check Slashdot daily as I used to do...)

      More videos and photos on M. Rossy's website (and a new sponsor...)

      I like M. Rossy's concept a lot. Besides the folding mechanism, the wing is very simple - no control surfaces, just a trim to adjust the angle of attack when the jets are on (and of course the throttle). All control (roll, pitch, jaw) is done through traditional skydiving techniques. That, and having to unfold the wing after the jump, requires a very experienced skydiver tho...

      I bet his wing has a better gliding ratio than the Gryphon. And with the jets on, he can *climb* pretty fast!

      Alas, he damaged the wing in April (he wasn't hurt) and now he is busy fixing it. I hope we'll see him flying again soon! (And seriously... Why Red Bull isn't sponsoring him?)

      --
      In the long run we are all dead. - John Maynard Keynes (1883 - 1946)
    4. Re:If they are having trouble with the jet by srmalloy · · Score: 1

      Given the way people tend to zoom around on recreational vehicles like ATVs and the like, if a consumer product like that were available, I'd expect to see it become more of a dark, smokey blotch on the ground after users showboat with it and lose control. (e.g., the last words of a redneck pilot: "Hey, y'all, watch this!")

  14. Ridiculous by suv4x4 · · Score: 1

    Upon further inspection (understand: I RTFA), this has got to be a joke.

    This is the supposed design of the Gryphon.

    Apart from making the man "wearing" it look like a douchebag (what is this, an airplane Halloween costume?), it has the extra benefit putting your head right on front, so you can enjoy the potential impact at its full force.

    This better be some hell of a helmet he has.

    1. Re:Ridiculous by deft · · Score: 2, Interesting

      As opposed to your design where the head is.... facing backwards?

      thats where it has to go, and sorry, but if theres an impact, it doesnt matter WHERE the head is, it will shortly be smashed on the pavement. This system is designed to land by parachute, wings on back.

      --

      There's nothing Intelligent about Intelligent Design.
    2. Re:Ridiculous by NonSequor · · Score: 1

      And I thought people riding on Segways looked ridiculous.

      --
      My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.
    3. Re:Ridiculous by suv4x4 · · Score: 1

      As opposed to your design where the head is.... facing backwards?

      As opposed to a full design where you have an ejectable seat and other safety measures built in.

      Let's see what's the road equivalent of this plane: a motorcycle. No airbag, belt, ability to absorb chock as a full blown automobile can. Hence you're in a much bigger risk being in an accident with motorcycle than a car (statistically, and logically).

      And this is without putting your head right on front of the bike. This thing looks laughable. But if they make it look slicker, and with the help of some wires and CGI, I could be fooled an average fella could easily operate it and survive.

  15. Strap-on? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Please don't mention "strap-on" around my girlfriend. Last time, she, umm, got "ideas."

    All I can say is that I didn't normally the next day.

  16. Dumb assed drivers... by Mr.+Underbridge · · Score: 1

    ...have enough trouble negotiating the 2 dimensions they deal with now. I can just see 'cell phone douchebag' flying all over the place without even painted lines to tell him where to go.

    1. Re:Dumb assed drivers... by rah1420 · · Score: 1

      I can just see 'cell phone douchebag' flying all over the place without even painted lines to tell him where to go.

      And you really think that the painted lines help the cell phone douchebags?

      Trust me, I'd much prefer to have three dimensions. If I change my flight level then there's practically zero chance of intersecting with idiots at another flight level. Remember "The Wrath of Khan."

      --
      Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens.
    2. Re:Dumb assed drivers... by mennucc1 · · Score: 1

      .Dumb assed drivers.....?. if they use this gizmo, then Darwin will get us rid of them in one generation time
  17. something like this before... by icegreentea · · Score: 1

    wasn't there some strap-on wing and w/e developed for us special forces? i seem to recall reading about it on slashdot sometime in the past.

    1. Re:something like this before... by Jaxoreth · · Score: 2, Funny

      wasn't there some strap-on wing and w/e developed for us special forces?
      You're thinking of an actual rocketpack prototype that was invented by Howard Hughes in 1938 and stolen by the Nazis for the purpose of creating a flying army, though it was accidentally destroyed soon after they acquired it. The FBI managed to keep the whole thing secret until about 1991, when news of the incident became public.
      --
      In general, it is safe and legal to kill your children. -- POSIX Programmer's Guide
  18. Re:fish =( by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yeah, he should try 4chan.

  19. Practical? by thatskinnyguy · · Score: 1

    How is this practical? I mean, sure I hate the 15 minute drive to work, but it's not worth my life and the money to shave a few minutes off of that.

    --
    The game.
    1. Re:Practical? by RegularFry · · Score: 1

      I'm sure your job doesn't involve a HALO drop. That's what this is for.

      --
      Reality is the ultimate Rorschach.
  20. this is not a real jet pack, yet. by Erris · · Score: 1

    It might be with the addition of a rocket:

    Skywalker Jets, has devised a rocket pack that weighs about 90 pounds and can propel a 200 pound pilot around the air for what is likely the most invigorating [last] 5 minutes of their life.

    The strong part above is mine. Nothing's perfect.

    --
    DMCA, Hollings, Palladium. What might have sounded like paranoia is now common sense.
  21. A sickening thud. Re:This sounds like... by Erris · · Score: 1

    a jet-powered vehicle where the frontmost thing is your head? At 135mph?

    At that speed, I don't think heads first or tail first matters.

    --
    DMCA, Hollings, Palladium. What might have sounded like paranoia is now common sense.
  22. Re:where's my flying car by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...the article lost me right after "strap-on" ;)

  23. Well, looks like someone has to change the joke... by tlhIngan · · Score: 2, Funny
    After all, the old pilot joke that goes:

    Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing. Any landing where the plane can be used again is a *great* landing


    since they're now one and the same...

    *grin*
  24. your new design? by deft · · Score: 1

    "As opposed to a full design where you have an ejectable seat and other safety measures built in."

    I think you are failing to realize that when the wings are ON YOUR BACK there is NOTHING TO EJECT FROM! You just need to unclip from the wings and you're fine... they will fly away. They you pull your chute.'

    But lets examine your design enhancements:

    Yeah, so you'd be sitting in a seat...good idea. Nice and confy. maybe be goos for a few gauges too.

    maybe put the wings on the seat too... hmm, yes. and the fuel in the wing... jets on the back. think we need a cockpit? sure... lets do that... lets call it a jet aircraft!

    I don't know why i ever doubted you.

    --

    There's nothing Intelligent about Intelligent Design.
    1. Re:your new design? by suv4x4 · · Score: 1

      I think you are failing to realize that when the wings are ON YOUR BACK there is NOTHING TO EJECT FROM!

      I think you're failing to understand that for this thing to be usable, you need engines on it. And if the engines catch fire, or go otherwise wrong, the parachute will be useless if it's embedded right next to the engines.

      Good thing you're not making planes I guess.

    2. Re:your new design? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This craft is not a plane; it is much much closer to powered hang glider. Either way, a crash is likely to be fatal regardless the location of the head of the operator. Surviving a catastrophic failure in a powered hang glider will amount to your ability to release and utilize a parachute.

      I get the distinct feeling that you are not a member of the aerospace community in any way shape or form. You simply cannot get the safety you want in such a small air vehicle. There is a reason that every aspect in the professional aerospace industry from the pilots, inspection staff and maintenance crew require many many hours of training to get their certification. In addition, with proper inspection and maintenance the vehicle won't have a catastrophic failure. Although you cannot prepare for every situation, it is far more likely that the risk to the pilots will be due to their own failures instead of the failures of the craft.

      So, get back in your SUV 4x4 and fuck off, dimwit.

    3. Re:your new design? by lessthan · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Of course, the actual pertinent question is "Would a person willing to strap that thing on their back going to be concerned about safety?" I am going to go out on a limb and say no. So why argue about how safe it is?

      --
      Space Shuttle was a program that strapped humans to an explosion and tried to stab through the sky with fire and math
    4. Re:your new design? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're an idiot

    5. Re:your new design? by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      I think the point with this thing is that you don't have to eject; you release the wings (with fuel and jets) from your pack, and descend with the parachute as usual.

      The one thing I'm wary about is that the device will contain both jet fuel and oxygen, both in close quarters to your body. In the time it would take for the oxygen tank to explode in an equipment malfunction, you likely wouldn't have time to release the jets from the pack. At least with a jet there's a bit of shielding.

  25. Kinda tricky? by Pedrito · · Score: 1

    "Researchers say the final version of the flying wing will contain an electronic system that will take care of some of the steering for the pilot which today can be a little tricky, researchers say."

    IANAP, but I figure the landings are probably the trickiest, followed by the take-offs. But there's also the issue of avoiding a bunch of other idiots not looking where they're flying while talking on their cell phones that kind has me concerned. Is it going to have radar and a computer that can avoid smashing into these other human missiles as well?

    1. Re:Kinda tricky? by Jim+Starx · · Score: 1

      Try reading the article. Then look at what you wrote.

      --
      The darkness... controls the music. The music... controls the soul.
  26. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  27. FAA regulations and whatnot by huckda · · Score: 1

    will keep this from ever becoming a reality for the common man.

    That along with the number of Mid-flight deaths...but they say it isn't the fall that kills you, but the sudden stop at the end of the fall.

    --
    "Just Smile and Nod." --Huck
    1. Re:FAA regulations and whatnot by IHC+Navistar · · Score: 1

      GOOD!

      I don't want the Common Man to have these.....Considering that the Common Man has enough trouble driving a car to begin with.

      --
      Knowing Google's lust for data collection, the Soviet Union is still alive and well inside the psyche of Sergey Brin....
    2. Re:FAA regulations and whatnot by Charcharodon · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Actually something like this is already regulated, but not in the way you think. There probably will be absolutley no requirements to get one other than a credit card or cash, since it's so small. The only restrictions will be where you fly it (airspace restriction) Whether it's a Rocketeer outfit or some yahoo with a lawnchair, 2 dozen helium ballons, and a BB-gun doesn't matter because the FAA could care less as long is it doesn't get in the way of regular aircraft.

      You can go out right now and get the current equivalent, para-sails and hang gliders (powered or not) and go kill yourself nearly restriction free. I see no reason why this "new" jet wing will be any different.

    3. Re:FAA regulations and whatnot by huckda · · Score: 1

      because it is 'powered flight'...rather than a derigible(sp)...although it may achieve 'ultra-light' status and thus be less restricted.

      --
      "Just Smile and Nod." --Huck
    4. Re:FAA regulations and whatnot by Charcharodon · · Score: 1
      Actually Derigibles actually fall under powered flight, though powered flight is not actually a catagory used by the FAA. You are thinking of baloons. You have Fixed wing, rotary wing, lighter than air, and powered lift as catagories of aircraft.

      Here are a basic list on restrictions for ultralight operation.

      Used only for sport and recreation
      Daylight operations only
      No operations over congested areas
      Used by a single occupant
      Maximum five gallons of fuel
      Yield right-of-way to all other aircraft
      Operation in controlled airspace and restricted areas requires prior permission

      You don't need a license if you are by yourself

      Weight, speed, and fuel capacity are what would get you into into the FAR part 103 catagory of operating under ultralight rules, so a whether it be a hang glider, a ballon, derigible, or a sailplane as long as it falls under the max limits it's considered an ultralight.

      Actually this jet pack thing might not pass muster since 24 knots is max speed allowed for ultralights and from what I've seen of other jet packs they go considerably faster than 24 knots. They probably end up falling under parachute regulations since you cannot actually take off or land from the ground in the thing.

      Who knows? Call the FAA I guess.

  28. Re:where's my flying car by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    That's great, but where's my flying car? Next time remember where you parked.
  29. Re:where's my flying car by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You will not see people commuting in "flying cars" until there is fully automatic flight and traffic control. To do otherwise would be utter mayhem. Only recently -- with cell phones and their towers -- have we established that we actually have the technology to build such an automated traffic-control network. And you had better believe that it will be some years before it is built, because you will have to convince someone that they can make a profit on it.

  30. Looks like something... by LazyBoy · · Score: 1

    that should be worn in front of a fast food restaurant when passing out coupons.

    --

    If Chaos Theory has taught us anything, it's that we must kill all the butterflies.

  31. Researchers say, by Danga · · Score: 1

    'Researchers say the final version of the flying wing will contain an electronic system that will take care of some of the steering for the pilot which today can be a little tricky, researchers say.

    Researchers say!

    --
    Hey, there is only one Return and it's not of the King, it's of the Jedi.
  32. Looks like a fat birdie to me ;) by sw155kn1f3 · · Score: 1

    http://www.networkworld.com/graphics/2007/gryphondude.jpg
    Wondering this guy has big orange beak attached to the front to his helmet and white parachute as his paunch. Would be sexy ;), no? Glad to meet you Mr. Tux.

    --
    - Arwen, I'm your father, Agent Smith.
    - Well, you're just Smith, but my father is Aerosmith!
  33. Jetpack by metalcoat · · Score: 1

    The company also plans to add small jets to the wing making it a true jetpack in the future.

    Great! Now I will have something to spend all those Pepsi Points on.

  34. No, Icarus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Actually, Daedalus made it, his son Icarus was the foolish one who crashed after getting too close to the sun.

  35. Wingsuit by Ranzear · · Score: 0

    My question is if it outperforms Wingsuits already in use. The glide ratio can't be much better with the added weight.

    --
    Slashdot: Where opinions are just opinions until you have mod points.
    1. Re:Wingsuit by the_lesser_gatsby · · Score: 1

      The glide ratio (aka lift-to-drag ratio) doesn't depend on weight. Adding weight increases the speed at which a glider achieves it best glide ratio (although the ratio stays the same), hence the use of water ballast in racing sailplanes.

      By the look of it it probably does have a better glide ratio than wingsuits. But still way under 10:1.

  36. Another jet pack by biomass · · Score: 2, Interesting

    A nice video demonstration of an
    awesome jet pack

  37. Jetpack video by CoolCat23 · · Score: 1

    Here's a video for the Swiss jetpack :
    http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/simulator+2004/video/xu5k0_jetman-lhomme-a-reaction_news

    1. Re:Jetpack video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just wanted to say thanks for that awesome link to the Swiss jet wing video! They are alot farther along than the one shown in Germany.

  38. Men on Fire by polyex · · Score: 1

    Men on fire, flying through the air. Live leak is going to have a never ending supply of video content for free if this ever comes to market (doubt it).

  39. I have seen this before...deja vu? by Karem+Lore · · Score: 1
    No, James Bond (Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry) used one in Die Another Day...Towards the ground they eject themselves from the plane and parachute down...Hope its cheap then or my tax dollars are being wasted on James.

    Karem

    --
    When all is said and done, nothing changes...
  40. for sure? by naam00 · · Score: 1

    ... demonstrated a form of 'strap-on jet wing' that lets a user truly fly through the air. ...as opposed to what? Untruly flying through the air?
  41. Watch out for the demo... by DieByWire · · Score: 1

    If they get Bill Dube to do a static test burn, don't get in front of him!

    --
    Never shake hands with a man you meet in a fertility clinic.
  42. That's not flying! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's falling with style!

  43. In the future by grumling · · Score: 1

    I imagine a world where the only sound you hear is Doppler shifted screams followed by a lot of destruction. I'm going to start a roofing company.

    --
    "Well, good luck finding a judge that doesn't run a bestiality site."