Wing suits -- how original?

Saw this when I was in England a few minutes ago:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/news/pages/tim/2000/09/12/ timobiobi02002.html

Now there's an innovator. I often think 'There's nothing new under the sun, the trouble is in remembering it.'

- tony

Wow, that's a cool-looking suit - and an interesting little story. Thanks for sharing...

BSBD, Keely M.

Thanks for the history lesson Tony. Where do you find time to research these things? Must be at work today, eh?

I like the bit about the RAF being reluctant to put parachutes on pilots in WWI, thinking that them not having canopies 'makes the chaps try harder'.

Kinda why are jump pilots where rounds.

In Great Britain military jumpers didn't even get reserves until the mid 50's so why should WW1 pilots need a parachute

Blue Skies & Soft Landings

Keith

D10779

Keith, they were just Brits. It is not like they are real people or anything. Sheezzzz, some people cary this human rights thing too far.

Tom B

Its funny but I believe wing suits are illegal in America. They were called bat wings and into the 70's were not kosher at all.

The movie Gypsie Moths had some Bat Wing stuff in it and the movie maker had a hassel over their use in the film.

I don't know if it was an FAA law or PCA safety reg so maybe someone more enlightened than myself can comment.

...

Yeah, I gotta show up once in a while to let 'em know I'm still on the payroll ...

- tony

Hey Tony,

You were over here and you didn't say hello?!

'Thom Lyons' wrote ...

I don't think so. I have 8 jumps on one and I never break the law.... Some of my friends who BASE jump have birdman suits, and they never break the law either.

'The Gypsy Moth's'is a movie made in the late 60's about three skydivers barn storming around the U.S. doing different skydiving stunts.Burt Lancaster's character was the only jumper qualified to jump the 'death defying' wing suit. He gets hurt 'really bad'. So the newbe gets to jump the wing suit so they can pay for Burts funeral.

Some video stores may have a copy if anyone wants to see what the hollywood writers thought about wing suits and jumping in general.