Introduction: The Stoopid Thing: Kite-powered Personal Flight
Do not attempt! Fortunately, the first time I tried this it worked and there was a video camera running, so I've never had to try again.
The video footage is from Nahant Beach, MA in the summer of 2003. Saul, Tim, and I were convinced that using a large kitesurfing kite it would be possible to "fly" a human anchored to some point on the ground. It's not exactly an original idea, and had been used for hundreds of years for military reconnaissance, but when you haven't done it yourself, anything can seem like a new and exciting idea, right?
In 15-20 mph of wind, I flew a 20 sqm kite that I could just barely keep under control when it was fully de-powered. On the back of my harness, attached with a quick-release, was a 100 ft rope with a waterskiing-like handle at the end. Tim held on to me, helping to hold me down, and we waded out into the water. Once I could barely touch the bottom, I powered-up the kite and shot into the air. Tim held on to the handle and wakeboarded behind me.
The initial launch into the air was intense, and I suddenly had a spectacular view of the beach and pretty much all the way to Boston. After some practice, I was able to control my height and speed dipping my feet into the water and then soaring into the sky. It was as close to personal flight as I've ever gotten, and was simply amazing.
Lots of things could have gone wrong, which is why you shouldn't try this, and why I haven't repeated it. Some of the many dangers include falling, getting knocked out, wrapped up in lines or rope, and drowning. After 10 minutes of flight, my arms were so tired that swimming was near impossible and treading water difficult - good thing Tim was right behind me to take the kite as soon as I reached the shore.
31 Comments
11 years ago on Introduction
Here's a video of what can happen and how quick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm5tiw2ICh0&feature=related
Probably less turbulence over water, but did you have this much control?
And there is this one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgAIAfLbcWY&feature=related
Reminds me of a T shirt I saw once It said..."Everybody needs a purpose in life. Mine is to be a bad example
11 years ago on Introduction
I see this done with Kite Boards.
They don't stay up as long as you did.
I always saw this kind of thing as trolling for sharks when in the partially water.
12 years ago on Introduction
too funny
13 years ago on Introduction
dude is that the oregon coast
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Boston.
15 years ago on Introduction
dude that looks so fun! *do not try this at home* classic mythbusters. hey eric i think you should be a mythbuster.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Seconded!
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for your support! Maybe I should apply!!
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
You should see if you can at least be on a show.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
that would be awesome to see you on tv busting myths with adam and jamie. i guess this is cool my science teacher really like mythbusters and we watch it in class and she let us do a extra-credit mythbusters project.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
So are you going to post an Instructable about your project?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
oh sorry, i didnt mean for instructables, i will turn it in for school, as it is just a paragraph about the myth they busted and how it works with the scientific method. though if you suggested a myth that is safe to try at home, i might bust (or confirm!) it and make an instructables on how it was done.
15 years ago on Introduction
Haha, that looked like something out of the old batman, especially with the hero-y music!
15 years ago on Introduction
I've tried paragliding and found that pretty sluggish getting around the skies. I can't imagine how much strength it must have taken to get any control of the kite surfer. I'm used to flying 600lbs gliders made from aluminium (airplanes without engines) and that's bad enough.
15 years ago on Introduction
I'm inthe air on this thing typing to u from my laptop. how do I get down?
15 years ago on Introduction
At least you were smart enough to do it over the water. You could die even easier over the land.
15 years ago on Introduction
Haha! Why do you have such big kites if they're so powerful?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Does not compute.
I have big kites because they're powerful.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
But then how do you use them if you just float away?
...nevermind.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
because floaTING away is awesome!