skydiving

 

Online

First Person View of an Epic Parachute Fail

Posted by Sean Fallon at 5:20 AM on September 5, 2008

Before you decide to hurl yourself out of an aeroplane to get an adrenaline fix, take a long hard look at what happened to Hans Lange on a recent base jump in Norway. As you will see, he managed to capture the entire jump in detail using some sort of wide-angle helmet cam. I will admit that flying around in that wing suit looks exhilarating, but smashing into the ground, breaking a leg then being dragged down the side of a mountain? Not so much. [ITN and BBC]


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Gadgets

Fournier's Skydiving Record Attempt Fails When His Balloon Floats Away

Posted by Adam Frucci at 3:20 AM on May 28, 2008

Bad news for wannabe record breaker Michel Fournier. While he was foiled by weather yesterday in his attempt to freefall from 40 kilometres up, today he was foiled by what appears to be ineptitude. The weather was fine. The problem? His fancy balloon that was supposed to take him up so high wasn't attached properly while they were filling it and floated away. Uh, oops? No word on whether or not he's going to try again or slink away with his tail between his legs in embarrassment. When even the news broadcasters are making fun of you for failing, you know it's been a bad day. [BBC]

Science

Wannabe Supersonic Skydiver Foiled by Weather: Tomorrow Looks Good

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 5:00 AM on May 27, 2008

Those of you who've hunted for news of crazy Frenchman Michel Fournier and his attempt on the skydiving height record (and the sound barrier) will be pleased to know that the jump is still on: just delayed by the weather. During his pre-jump oxygen breathing session this morning, the wind began to rise. Three weather balloon surveys showed the wind speed was too high to launch his main balloon. So, it looks like it'll be happening tomorrow instead, and you'll be pleased to know the forecast is excellent. [Le Grand Saut]


Science

Frenchman Plummeting 40 Kilometres From The Sky Will Break Sound Barrier, World Records

Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 11:00 AM on May 25, 2008

Michel Fournier is about to make the greatest leap of his, and anyone else's, life. On Sunday, the 64-year-old retired French army officer will fly almost 40 kms into the sky in a giant balloon, step out of a pressurised capsule and plunge headfirst towards the earth, soaring through the atmosphere for an estimated 15 minutes.


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62-Year-Old Man Attempts Hara-Kiri by Jumping from 25 Miles Up

Posted by Seamus Byrne at 10:12 PM on August 13, 2007

leshit.jpgA 62-year-old Frenchman is giving his attempt on the world free-fall record one last try in the skies above Saskatchewan. Michel Fournier has spent $13.25 million trying to jump from 25 miles above the earth's surface and break the world free-fall record set by USAF test pilot Joe Kittinger in 1960. But first he has to get up there.

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