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Very cool, IF real. It's been thought that human muscles simply cannot make this system work...... but maybe?
With modern materials and mechanics I'd say it should certainly be possible. Could it be done solely with human muscle? Dunno. Some powered assist, however, does seem feasible. And might render extraordinary results to boot. This rig doesn't look to be all that nimble and/or maneuverable. Gotta start somewhere though! Byte
Certainly NOT Human Powered.... Not near enough Wingspan, compared to the one flown in the SoCal Desert, a few years back, and powered by a Human World Class Bicyclist. Remember that Humans can only develop about 100 Watts of energy during any sustained amount of time, and that is basically only done by World Class Athletes, and using their LEG Muscles. Certainly can NOT do that with Arms. That isn't much power to sustain flight.... I kept looking for the Tow Car, hidden in the trees, and pulling him with a thin Kevlar cable..... but that was just "Me"..... YMMV.....
I'll just call BS. actual take off pics viewed from right side of PILOT/BIRD thingy, kinda looks like some bad claymation and land of the lost. JMNSHO.
I'm with BTPost on this one. You can't climb without excess horsepower, and to climb like that, you would need a few extra. The closest I've ever come is Para-gliding; pulled into the air by a motorcycle mounted to a trailer, with the rear wheel replaced with a winch drum, using 6mm spectra line. What a rush, and landing was like a dream. I'm determined to do that again, when I get the cash... Anyway, here is a better example of what a man can do with technology and some guts/experience: Jeb Corliss " Grinding The Crack" - YouTube Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! (If I only had the money to do 100 or so more jumps, and get a wingsuit of my own.) Unfortunetly, Jeb Corliss almost killed himself Down Under a few months back.
Nope...Has to be real.... If it was fake...The Gobberment would not let them put it on da net...Real...