Birdman flies!

[Qtec]

http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/WORLD/europe/07/31/channel.skydiver/story.birdman.afp.jpg


CALAIS, France -- An Austrian extreme sports fanatic is reported to be planning further daredevil exploits after he became the first human to fly across the English Channel without an aircraft.

Felix Baumgartner made the dive Thursday, jumping from an aircraft above the English port of Dover and landing near Calais six minutes and 22 seconds later with crowds, including journalists from across Europe, on hand to greet him.


Q

[Wally_in_Cincy]

I saw that on the news. How did he land? Did he have a parachute or something?

[Qtec]

Yes. He had no way of slowing down so when he pulled the cord and the shute came out it was like a brake . The cords got tangled and he had to cut one free. He didnt have a lot of time to do it in either . Amazing .

Must be a fit guy . Think of the forces involved on the wing that is strapped to his body .


Q

[SpiderMan]

Seems like a lot of hair-splitting going on there. Why is that glider not considered an aircraft, is it because his body forms part of the structure?

SpiderMan