Jump Without a Parachute
The use of parachutes when jumping off a plane has been customary.
It's natural to rely on these devices to get you down on earth in one
piece, even Evel Knievel used one. However some people are not thrilled by
skydiving anymore. It was just a matter of time before someone pushed the
limits of aerodynamics and parachute skydiving. Enthusiasts have found a
way to jump off the plane without the use of parachute.
Using the
flying squirrel as a model, skydivers are now attempting to disembark from
a plane and land safely on the ground without a parachute. Many consider
this as dangerous but tests are still being done around the world. The
technology is still being developed and designers refuse to divulge their
own idea due to competition.
Wing suit
Jumping off an
airplane without a parachute is practically stupid but many skydiving
enthusiasts are all competing to be the first one. Skydiving has been a
common parachute sport today. Skydivers are willing to push the limits for
a world record. Some skydivers have come up with their own design to
enable them accomplish the feat.
Skydivers are attempting to land
by using a wing suit without the use of a parachute. Wing suits are not
new. A safer modern version has been created in 1990 by Patrick de
Gayardon. Since then it has been put to use by enthusiasts with the aid of
parachutes.
Using the wing suit and landing without the aid of
parachute is almost akin to flying which has inspired many skydivers to
push their abilities to the test. The trajectory is vertical as compared
to the usual skydiving which is horizontal.
The wing suit has nylon
woven tightly between the legs, arms, and torso. This creates wings that
get filled with air and produce lift. The suit allows forward movement and
aerial maneuvers while slowing down to descend.
Jeb Corliss, a BASE
jumper, have designed his own wing suit that he thinks will enable him to
land without a parachute. Currently he is still testing his design but
hasn't made any attempts to actually land using it. The first test
involved jumping out of a plane, making a 270 turn and then re-enter the
aircraft.
Unfortunately the first test didn't do well; he missed
the plane and was forced to land with a parachute. He plans to get funding
and make the first landing on a runway that he will also design. The
design will borrow from principle behind Nordic ski
jumping.
Another designer has also made her own prototype wing
suit. Maria von Egidy cannot test the suit herself so she employs
skydivers to test them for her. She is also looking for funding and is
still working on a way to land the pilot safely.
The main problem
with wing suits is landing. Pilots can slow down vertical descent by 30
miles an hour but they are moving 75 miles per hour forward. Even though a
pilot can manage to slow down their descent any wrong movement can be
fatal. Mr. Corliss plan is to slide down while von Egidy is planning to
create a form of forward brakes.
For now landing without a
parachute is still in the works. Individuals may have to settle themselves
with skydiving for now before they can glide through the sky like a flying
squirrel.
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Article Source: www.ArticleFog.com.
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