I don’t just do it for the thrills. I do it with the hope I’ll inspire some guy to build something better — A YouTube response.
On December 17, 1903, man achieved powered flight — with a motor, some canvas, some wood, noice and some luck. It was for a few minutes and records from the day name two brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright.
Fast forward. We now have fighter jets, personal jets, jet-setting fashionistas, and even jet packs. Man’s throwing caution and himself to the wind.
And just to point out that this week’s been important for powered flight we bring you a video of ‘The Flying Dutchman’.
Jarno Smeets’s clip on YouTube now has caught the attention of over two million people in just two days — that’s more viral than the fever. In the video, Smeets appears to be ‘Flapping His Wings’ and achieving altitude for a good ten minutes.
“I have always dreamed about this. But after eight months of hard work it payed off. At one moment you see the ground moving away, and then suddenly you’re free, a really intense feeling of freedom. The true feeling of flying. A magical moment. The best feeling I have felt in my life.”
We agree Mr Smeets. But are you kidding? Wings? Really?
According to the engineer, his own body strength was not capable of producing enough power and he did resort to ‘fitting extra motors on the wings’.
Of course, many of those 800,000 people claim it’s really a fake. Mr Smeets’ video, however, gave us an opportunity to remember similar YouTube hits and flights.
Joining the famous Wright Brothers are Jeb Corliss, Yves Rossy and Franky Zapata.
Jeb Corliss is a professional base jumper and some weeks ago he amazed the Wed with ‘proximity flight’. We suggest you ignore that presentation and check this guy out on YouTube. His narrow passes could just make your day.
Swiss pilot Yves Rossy aka ‘Jet Pack Man’, has gone a step further by racing jets — yes Jets! A custom-built jet suit turns this man into a high-speed missile which makes for some awesome YouTube action. Imagine Top Gun without the F-18 and some annoying Americans.
Franky Zapata, meanwhile, left us speechless with his ‘underwater flights’. We promise you, this man shames dolphins.
So, what are we looking at here? Innovation week? Not really. This is man pushing boundaries of what’s possible. It’s 1903 all over again — with a refresh button.