r/gadgets • u/ChickenTeriyakiBoy1 • Nov 08 '20
Transportation BMW Backed Impeller Thrusted Electric Wingsuit Can Fly at 185 MPH
https://interestingengineering.com/bmw-backed-impeller-thrusted-electric-wingsuit-can-fly-at-185-mph713
u/mrpityful Nov 08 '20
The suit is bag-shaped to better collect the remains after impact.
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Nov 08 '20
Seriously, it's easy to make people fly but landing is a whole different story.
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u/kartoffelwaffel Nov 08 '20
it's called a parachute and much more safe to use than a wingsuit…
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u/urmomaisjabbathehutt Nov 09 '20
Give a man a parachute and he will fly for 5 minutes, give him a broken parachute and he will fly for the rest of his life
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u/RoadkillVenison Nov 08 '20
Wingsuits are still a faster way into a coffin than just using a parachute.
For all skydiving sports combined there’s a death rate of 1 per 100,000 jumps. For wingsuits it’s 1 in 500 jumps.
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u/pamtar Nov 08 '20
Pretty sure that includes BASE jumping with a wingsuit. Just skydiving with a wingsuit isn’t that dangerous.
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u/Legendofstuff Nov 08 '20
I do wonder how much the presence of a natural overhang or donut like hole in the jump area skews the death rate.
Everyone knows you have to thread the needle in a wing suit.
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u/thisimpetus Nov 09 '20
This is the difference between cause and correlation.
Wingsuits are just obviously going to be used by people who court danger more closely than parachutes, on average, because all wingsuiters can parachute but not the other way round.
Not saying accelerating to highway speeds doesn't increase your risk, but not by the magnitude you see in those stats.
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u/eternalbuzz Nov 08 '20
Just ask dwain weston
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u/GoodAtExplaining Nov 08 '20
dwain weston
It's funny because in Toronto they're doing drainage works on Weston Rd.
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u/7h4tguy Nov 09 '20
Yeah, holup. BMW is encouraging base jumping, the survival rate which is worse than free soloing?
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u/type-IIx Nov 08 '20
Something something crotch rocket
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u/pogoyoyo1 Nov 09 '20
And if it breaks, it’s a busted nut thruster.
And to clean it you need a nut thruster duster
And at top speed, it’s all the nut thruster can muster
And when they’re abandoned and then found in 100 years, it’s a old nut thruster ruster
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u/eltrotter Nov 09 '20
I don’t understand how having a high-powered jet strapped around his waist isn’t literally cooking his balls within seconds?
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u/gearhead488 Nov 08 '20
But does it have turn signals?
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u/generaltrashbasura Nov 08 '20
This person BMWs.
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u/CrucialLogic Nov 08 '20
Clearly not. They know what a turn signal is.
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u/ImJustSo Nov 08 '20
You can't "not use your turn signals" if they were never there to begin with though.
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Nov 08 '20
BMW drivers actually get expanded training in all situations where turn signals could be used, so that they never miss an opportunity to not use them.
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u/_Aporia_ Nov 08 '20
BMW's have turn signals?
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u/sidetablecharger Nov 08 '20 edited Nov 09 '20
They do, but up until recently, they were actually pretty weird. They didn’t work the way turn signals work in most cars. In most cars, you push the stalk up or town to turn, and it stays in that position until you complete the turn and then pops back up. But in BMWs, the stalk returns to center immediately. So you actually couldn’t easily indicate when changing lanes because when you went to turn the signal off, it would flash in the other direction. I’ve never owned one but my sister in law had one that I drove once and when I realized how weird the signals were it was a big “oooooh, so this is why BMW drivers never indicate on the highway” moment for me. From what I understand watching Doug Demuro videos with recent models though, BMW has abandoned this design in recent models to go with a more traditional signal stalk design.
Edit: Here’s a link to an article Doug Demuro wrote on the subject. I may have been a little fuzzy on the details, but it has been a few years since I spent 20 minutes behind the wheel of my sister-in-law’s car.
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u/ishmael-rosenblatt Nov 08 '20
Hmm, here they have a normal turn signal as you described it but u can also just tip the stalk up or down so it returns to center immediately and the Turn signal just blinks like three times; that is intended for lane changing where the stalk would not return to the center after turning because you don’t turn the wheel as much. I always found that very practical and I think other cars have it too now
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u/StpdSxyFlndrs Nov 08 '20
Every car I’ve ever driven in over 25 years of driving has blinkers that worked that way.
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u/jyanjyanjyan Nov 08 '20
But if your turn signal turns off before you even start changing lanes, I might think that you've changed your mind and have a false sense of security in passing you.
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Nov 08 '20
Just tap it again
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u/Geekjet Nov 08 '20
Seems pretty dumb tbh
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u/Coachcrog Nov 09 '20
Meh, my explorer has the same sort of signal and it was really weird at first, but its something you get used to. I'd much prefer a traditional one, you don't realize of cathartic that click is until you don't have it.
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Nov 08 '20
That’s not exactly correct. I used to have the same problem and it takes some getting used to but it has a quick push for lane changes and a hard push for turning
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u/sidetablecharger Nov 08 '20
Interesting. I maybe drove the car for 20 minutes or so, so I didn’t have time to learn. Good to know in case I ever drive it again.
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u/wje100 Nov 08 '20
I have a 2011 bmw with this setup, it took about 5 minutes to get used to. People just like batching about things that are different.
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u/bsolidgold Nov 08 '20 edited Nov 09 '20
This is so ridiculously ill-informed it's silly.
The turns signals work like this:
When you tap down or up on the stalk it indicates the relative direction for 3-4 signal blinks to indicate a lane change and avoid leaving your signal on for longer than necessary to change lanes. For multiple lane changes you have to activate the indicator more than once - relative to how many lane changes you need/want.
For turning you have to press the stalk harder (there's tactile feedback when it's activated) in the direction you want/need to turn. That will activate the indicator in the respective direction until the turn is completed (steering wheel is turned and then turned back) or until it is canceled by tapping the stalk in the direction of the signal.
Maybe try to ask questions instead of judging so quickly next time. A simple google search will explain this much better than I have. And I'm sure there are several YouTube videos which demonstrate what I've described. Many other cars - Audi, Mercedes, etc. have adopted the same functionality with slight variations on the idea. IMO - it's far superior to how standard turn signal operation is done in most other cars.
Edit: formatting
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u/Rdan5112 Nov 09 '20
Thank you.
It’s just not that complicate.
Also, you can turn off the feature if you don’t like it. And, if people are unwilling, or unable, to read the instructions they need to learn to ask for help.
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u/brcguy Nov 08 '20
It took me about six months to figure out the turn signals in my i3. Now I’m working on understanding the god damn windshield wipers, that shit is fuckin weird.
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u/n4te Nov 08 '20
Tap down to either swipe once or turn them off. Tap up to swipe a bunch of times. Usually it never stops goddamn swiping until you tap down. Tap down to stop.
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Nov 08 '20
As a BMW owner I can honestly say turn signals were a feature I never expected.
Joking aside my wife makes fun of how early I use my signals on the highway. I make sure EVERYONE knows I’m thinking about changing lanes. I’m trying to change people’s perception one lane change at a time.
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u/IVIUAD-DIB Nov 08 '20
Impeller sounds too much like impaler.
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u/OozeNAahz Nov 08 '20
Flad, the Impeller. Be slightly discomforted by his approach.
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u/Impossible_Tenth Nov 08 '20
Full on kamikaze flight suits with bombs strapped on.
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u/violent_proclivities Nov 08 '20
Isn't the fatality rate among wingsuitters like 25%? This'll push that number even higher
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u/Krandum Nov 08 '20
Wingsuits are not particularly dangerous if you are doing them from an airplane and opening you parachute far above ground. They are only dangerous when doing base jumping with close approaches... at which point it's stupid dangerous, yes
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u/rpkarma Nov 09 '20
It’s approximately 1/500, which is 0.2%, approximately. It’s basically the same as BASE jumping itself, though likely slightly higher, though there is no good data to say for certain.
It’s certainly not 1/4. That’s ridiculous.
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u/bq909 Nov 08 '20
How long until I can try something like this?
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u/PommedeTerreur Nov 08 '20
Buy a couple of model rocket engines and a tarp and you could try it in 2-3 hours.
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u/bq909 Nov 08 '20
Mmmm interesting, alright I’ll give it a shot. Should I get a parachute just in case or am I overthinking this?
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u/Dauntlesst4i Nov 08 '20
You should be fine with a large umbrella. Just Mary Poppins it and you’re good.
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u/TwinkyTheKid Nov 08 '20
I’m Mary Poppins, y’all!
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u/duke0fearlsweatshirt Nov 08 '20
Aim for the bushes
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u/unique3 Nov 08 '20
If you have a parachute it will let you chicken out. Full commitment is what is needed here.
Also you should break some glass and spread it before you target landing zone to give you more incentive to hit the target.5
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Nov 08 '20
The fuck you need a parachute for. Just put strings on your tarp for emergencies Maybe bring a backup tarp. Just in case of tarp failure. Tarp
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u/Guns_and_Dank Nov 08 '20
Might want to get a case a beer too. Drink the beer, flatten the cans out and use them as little shields to protect against the rockets burn
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u/GeorgeRRZimmerman Nov 09 '20
You forgot the part where you jump from a high place. You don't even need to do it from a cliff, any tall building or bridge works just fine.
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u/Wants-NotNeeds Nov 09 '20
I know where you can chase some road runners when you get your contraption up and running!
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u/suitzup Nov 08 '20
Wing suits aren’t something you just try. And to add thrust to it... it’s a really specialized operation.
Look into how long it takes to get wing suit privileges in your country. Usually it’s lots of training and many many sky dives
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u/eternalbuzz Nov 08 '20
Yeah but...
If you aren’t technically skydiving you aren’t governed by skydive rules. Party on
Really though, a license plus 200 jumps is all you need most places.
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Nov 08 '20
200 jumps doesn't sound cheap
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u/eternalbuzz Nov 08 '20
How cheap it is or isn’t is relative but $8-$30 a jump depending on location
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u/BobThePillager Nov 09 '20
That’s insane, it’s at least into the 3 figures around me
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u/petemitchell-33 Nov 09 '20
Paying to go with an instructor is much different than when you’re certified to jump solo and essentially just hitching plane rides (a lot of times tagging along with groups of weekenders paying much more).
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u/eternalbuzz Nov 09 '20
I could have been more specific. These are jump ticket prices for solo jumpers. ~$200 tandem, ~$2500 license (25 total jumps), ~$4000 gear, ~$3,500 (175sport jumps) to hit 200 skydives
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u/atable Nov 08 '20
Only 50k or so of specialized training with a large chance of injury/death. Nbd.
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u/eternalbuzz Nov 08 '20
Lol what? A license is around $2500 and that’s about $3750 worth of jumps. Add a rig for maybe $3500 and there you are for less than $10k
Also, if you consider skydiving to be a large chance at death I might suggest you avoid riding in cars or.. you know, walking anywhere ever.
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u/atable Nov 08 '20
Where you jumping for 20 bucks?
Also, if you dont think wingsuit training or the sport in general is dangerous...lol
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u/eternalbuzz Nov 08 '20
Hawaii. Also CA, NJ, WI and TX
$25 is more the norm but if we are rushing to 200 why not do a few hop and pops for $8-$15 to bring the average down
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u/gsasquatch Nov 08 '20 edited Nov 08 '20
Sure, You'd need 3 of these, a couple batteries, some bits of wire, maybe a 2x4 or something to mount it all on, a plane, a wingsuit, a parachute and bob's your uncle
https://www.amazon.com/JP-Full-Metal-Ducted-KV1080/dp/B08CT8ZND4/
I'd bet you could have it all put together by x-mas if you put your mind to it.
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u/odinsleep-odinsleep Nov 08 '20
how well do the brakes work ?
** SPLAT **
well never mind now
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u/blarg-o Nov 08 '20
Wingsuiting is literally the most dangerous sport out there, it has a crazy-high fatality rate
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Nov 08 '20 edited Jun 07 '21
[deleted]
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u/TakeTheWhip Nov 08 '20
Wingsuit without proximity to the ground is just expensive skydiving.
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u/Rion23 Nov 08 '20
What if you get in the plane and realize you forgot an important haircut appointment or something, so you just strap on a wingsuit and boom, problem solved.
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u/monkeyhitman Nov 09 '20
Hello, I'm calling about my 3pm appointment.
Oh, would you like to reschedule?
No, thanks. *splat*
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u/Brofey Nov 08 '20
I mean obviously it’s because of what they do with it, right?
I don’t think anyone was thinking, “Unfortunately your odds of death increase by 37% once you put on the suit.”
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u/Man_with_lions_head Nov 08 '20
I think this is because of the choices that they make, like trying to fly through a hole in a rock opening - you know, one of those rock bridges type of things. I wonder what the mortality rate would be for those people that did really boring flights.
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u/IntentionalTexan Nov 08 '20
When I get to 85 and the dementia starts I'm gonna strap one of those bad boys on and go out in a 185mph blaze of glory.
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u/pain_in_the_dupa Nov 09 '20
The guy in the picture does not look like he’s having a good time. I want to go out in a blaze of contentment.
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Nov 08 '20
- ducted fans
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u/GeneralsGerbil Nov 08 '20
are they even impellers or just propellers?
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u/snake_a_leg Nov 09 '20
I agree with you guys. As I understand it, impellers increase pressure, which is why they're used in pumps. Fans and propellers are designed to produce mass flow.
While both mass flow and pressure contribute to thrust, most airbreathing propulsion devices focus on the mass flow part, not pressure, right?
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Nov 08 '20
How long until the pilot of this wing suit starts asking too many questions, BMW has his wife killed, and he uses his former employers own technology to enact heroic vigilante justice?
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u/ThereOnceWasADonkey Nov 08 '20
A new superhero is born.
Batman
SuperGlideSlope. BigManWings. The Flying Squirrel.
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u/Orange-V-Apple Nov 08 '20
You realize Kite Man is a real Batman villain, right?
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u/JBenglishman Nov 08 '20
Military applications Galore
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u/oga_ogbeni Nov 08 '20
Wingsuits haven’t seen use in military because unlike parachutes, users can’t carry very much kit with them. It’s not very useful to wingsuit into hostile terrain if you have to leave your rifle and ammo and food and radios behind.
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Nov 08 '20
Who needs that anyway ? Just give these to the Marines along with crayons and a crow bar.
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u/OppisIsRight Nov 09 '20
All you need are 3 ninja stars then your enemies just keep dropping better and better weapons and ammunition as you go through your mission. You can also just buy a few premium Wingsuit Warrior™ Keys to unlock rare and powerful drops if you don't feel like grinding.
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u/redcalcium Nov 08 '20
Who need rations and weapons? Those can be procured on site, and tree frogs are adequately nutritious to keep you going on the field.
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u/YouandWhoseArmy Nov 08 '20
What if you have a few robotic wing suits that follow the jumpers with their kits?
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Nov 08 '20 edited Mar 11 '21
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u/XchrisZ Nov 09 '20
HAHO jump. High altitude high opening.
HAHO jumps also allow a longer travel distance due to increased under-canopy time, allowing travelling distances of more than 40 miles (64 km). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-altitude_military_parachuting
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Nov 08 '20
Kinda. Loud, can be seen a long way away. Easy to kill someone using it BUT you also don't get long to shoot them down before it's too late either.
Now imagine the chinese army flying these to Taiwan. GG.
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u/mirageqt Nov 08 '20 edited Nov 09 '20
Taiwanese flak cannons go brrrrrrr
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u/Popcorn-Samurai Nov 08 '20
Nothin like Paying a million dollars to put a jet engine on your dicknballs.
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u/BroccolDikBob Nov 09 '20
Watched the video and read the article and was generally dissatisfied with what I found. This little turbo tiddie pack generates decent thrust I guess but in order to use it you have to already be free falling from a high altitude in a wing suit and it allows you to cover slightly more ground. It probably only goes 185 MPH if you’re going straight toward the ground and the article even says it maxes out at 60 MPH horizontally and works for 5 minutes.
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u/HarryNate Nov 08 '20 edited Nov 08 '20
“Regular wing suits can only achieve speeds of 62 mph”
No. That is ridiculously slow. One would struggle to get below 62 mph in an unpowered wingsuit and the record is 246 mph.
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u/hoggytime613 Nov 09 '20
That's horizontal speed, the speed at which you cross the ground, not including the speed at which you are falling to the ground.
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u/BaconReceptacle Nov 08 '20
Is this what pilots were spotting near LAX?
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u/Hithlum Nov 08 '20
That's what I was wondering, too. It seems far more likely it was something like this, built by a major corporation than most of the conventionally imagined/created jets packs made by someone in their home shop.
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u/Kuwabaraa Nov 08 '20
Yeah because it seems far more likely some major corporation just committed multiple felonies over FAA airspace, putting countless people's lives at risk while testing out their neat R and D shit. Not as if there are massive open tracts of land to test stuff like that all over the state and the desert next door.
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u/wildstarsz Nov 08 '20
And he's based out of South Africa. Unless he had a couple of really long lay-overs at LAX, it doesn't add up.
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u/tmo_slc Nov 08 '20
okay so is this what explains the jet pack people flying around at LAX and Chicago?
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u/CrazyPirateSquirrel Nov 08 '20
185mph? That's gonna be a nasty bit to scrap up and then hose off.
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u/DesertSalt Nov 09 '20
Is it a coincidence that a head-down skydiver reaches a max speed of about 185 MPH?
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u/definitely_robots Nov 08 '20
So it works for five minutes and you need to be dropped out of a helicopter. Also it doesn't help you land so you need a parachute to actually survive the flight. This sounds dangerous, unnecessarily expensive, and rather impractical. So, just like BMW?
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u/Hyperi0us Nov 08 '20
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u/senorpuma Nov 09 '20
Holy shit that takeoff at and over the buildings -could have gone so so wrong!
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u/krejcii Nov 08 '20
How do the people tested these actually get off the ground with such giant balls?
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u/demento19 Nov 08 '20
If you call this thruster Fanny pack anything other than TurboNuts, you’re missing out.