Comments on: Insane adrenaline junkie “Birdman” releases video of his near death

By: Johnnie

Johnnie — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:57:00 +0000

The goal of the sport is ultimately to develop a flight suit that could be worn that would allow someone to ultimately land without a parachute. Attaching a fixed structure to the suit, would be completely impractical, both to the theoretical goals and to certain practical elements of the wing suit. (it would effect launch for example) Limitations to the size of the wing also has some practical considerations to avoid damaging peoples bodies.

If he wanted a glider, he’d build a glider. He wanted a wing suit so he did a wing suit. Insisting that he’s using inferior technology, is just like complaining that a parasail has more drag than a fixed wing aircraft and thus no-one should ever fly a parasail. It’s two completely different things, and two completely different purposes.

By: Johnnie

Johnnie — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:57:00 +0000

By: Korkwin

Korkwin — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:41:00 +0000

You all should appreciate this for what it is. The guy obviously loves to do this, no matter what happens to him. That’s all that really matters. If you don’t like this “sport”, simply don’t watch it.

By: Korkwin

Korkwin — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:41:00 +0000

By: Andrewlh

Andrewlh — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:24:00 +0000

I can’t say I consider it a sport. sport implies some sort of competitiveness and points system. unless they’re competing to see who can go farther before they pull their shoot? and then it’s just a game of chicken.

By: Wayne McKenzie

Wayne McKenzie — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:52:00 +0000

I honestly do not appreciate the “attraction” of this sport. The glide ratio of a wingsuit is approximately 2.5. That means for every one foot in altitude lost the suit and the person wearing it glides 2.5 feet forward. Even a fully loaded Boeing 767 has a glide ratio of 12 without power. I don’t see the point of using inferior technology (the wingsuit), call it flying, when better technologies exist. Who makes up the rules of this sport anyway? Why are the suits’ “wings” limited to the area between the arms an bodies and between the legs, when a stiff structure mounted to the wearer’s back could extend the wingspan by 4 or 5 feet, increasing the glide ratio tremendously. The arbitrariness of the “rules” of this sport, reducing its effectiveness is plain stupid.

By: Todd

Todd — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:29:00 +0000

There should be more details on this article. ,.this footage was released here in the add part of an HBO special. What also wasn’t mentioned was that ten years previously he crashed similarly on this mountain and broke his back in few places. He returned as a challenge and had performed many successful jumps in the days preceding the .crash

By: Counsel Dew

Counsel Dew — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:25:00 +0000

To be honest, I’d rather not see this “news” on slashgear…

By: Counsel Dew

Counsel Dew — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:25:00 +0000

To be honest, I’d rather not see this “news” on slashgear…

By: plunder

plunder — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:02:00 +0000

So is he going to try that again, or did he finally get enough Buzz?