The Parajet personal flying machine
posted May 11th 2005 2:00AM
What is it with the English and their magnificent flying machines!? It must be the M25 and congestion charging (or is it the beef?) that makes the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Eric Scott, and now Giles Cardoso just a wee bit mad. Built in his barn (apparently rendered useless since all the mad cow hubbub), the Parajet (which is, sadly, not a jet at all) consists of a large fan-like-backpack and paraglider wing. As described, you start running (with an engine strapped to your back!?) until the paraglider lifts you off the ground, switch on the motor, and voila, you're screaming for mama! The Parajet can fly up to 2,500 meters (8,000 feet) and travel at a distance of 160 km (100 miles) at a max speed of 75kph (46mph). There is a also a remote controlled version under development that will allow skydivers to bail from the craft and remote control it back to the ground. Now that we'd like to see… from a very safe distance!
[Via CNN]
Powered-paragliding has been around for ages. Why is this interesting?
http://www.poweredparaglider.com/
http://www.americanppg.com/
google: "Powered Paraglider" or "Paramotor"
Maybe I am missing something, but I have seen this being done for a couple years already! It is known as paramoteur. Strap a propeller on your back, get the paragliding screen up and takeoff. If it really were a jet, it would be news though...
Seriously. 10 years ago, I watched guys with these things strapped to their backs fly over a beach I was hanging out at. It was kind of cool back then, but now it's just OLD OLD news.
I've sketched this original concept of a flying vessel that is powered by a revolving propeller on top of it that lifts it up.
I'ma call it Helicopjet.
It's an old sport, but it's CNN's fault -- the original story strongly implies this is something brand new. No biggie if ENGadget was misled, but you'd think CNN would be able to get this sort of thing right.
The interesting thing about it is that a remotely controlled one is in development.. I have seen one remotely controlled b4 and that would be fair cool
This is a some seriously stale bread, yo. Even the birds ain't eatin' eat.
Yep, them there contraptions have been seen 'round these parts for some years now. Hell, I even seen 'em flying at the Rugby League grand final (90,000 folks in all) 5 years back in Sydney Aaawwstralia as a promotional flying machine with some fancy banners awn 'em, and then after that we saw flying right along down there at the Bondi Beach with the same fancy coloured banners. Now that's some exposure for y'all, so I guess the boys at Engadget gotta get out more, poor things work too damn hard..
"Scooter, get them Engadget boys one o them there ol' flying motor kites will ya son...."
Remember the Fan Man at the Ceasar's Palace? 1993 Fight was suspended for 21 minutes during the 7th round when a parachutist with a large fan strapped to his back crashed onto the ring apron. The man was beaten by spectators and Bowe's cornermen before being taken away.
http://www.anchoragepress.com/archives/document8ee3.html
Old news as previously stated. They are constantly buzzing over my house, here in South Florida, at low altitudes. I am afraid to shoot at them as they may bomb my house next time (just kidding) but it's awfully annoying at 7:00 am on weekends.
"but it's awfully annoying at 7:00 am on weekends."
you probably already know this, but since I have researched and dreamed about owning one of these crafts for YEARS I might apologize for the early morning flights by explaining...
Powered Paragliders can only be flown in winds that are 15mph and less. Typically only possible time to fly is at sunrise or sunset when winds are calm.
Also, I don't know where they get the speed of 40+ mph in the original story... these craft only do 25mph unless you have a tailwind...
I hate to beat a dead horse but heck this was even featured on the Simpsons a bunch of years back. Moe steals one from the circus and uses it to save people around the world.
Actually, Moe stole it from the guy who had the paraglider and saved Homer from Dederik Taetum in a match for the heavyweight championship. Moe THEN went on to save people all over the world, but that's just me nit-picking.