Powered Paragliding !?!?! - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

CHRIS67 · 07-07-2009, 08:01 AM

OK so I had to look this one up on the internet this morning to put what I saw last night into words. About 6:30 last night we heard something that sounded like a lawn mower fly close to our house. My family and I went outside to see a guy with a fan strapped to his back and a blue parachute decend down to the Deleware river in front of our house. We all thought he was crashing. He got a few feet from touching then powered up and was able to ascend by flying in a "corkscrew" between the trees that line both sides of the banks. He also had to contend with powerlines and a bridge that crosses the Deleware.

I got this pic off the internet not thinking to grab my camera when I saw this guy. Anyone ever see one of these? It's not an ultralight, but just a seat with a parachute and a fan motor.

I couldn't believe that this guy didn't crash if I didn't see it myself. Just a slight change in winds could have pushed him into the power lines. Crazy.

HeadlessNorseman · 07-07-2009, 08:47 AM

Macgyver used to build those out of industrial A/C fans and tent material! Pretty cool though. Looks like a ton of fun. Never seen one in person

sweetbmxrider · 07-07-2009, 09:57 AM

yeah they are sick. the also have powered hang gliders. pretty bad ass. see them goin up and down the coastline sometimes

madness410 · 07-07-2009, 11:32 AM

they have one of those in our town. ever see a birds eye view of anything? thats the guy that takes the pictures lol..well at least in my town.

i guess you can go out and buy one but im pretty sure nj would rape you with permits and stuff to use it..

NastyEllEssWon · 07-07-2009, 02:39 PM

there was a guy that used to own one of these out in the bay in cali...never saw the fan ones though...pretty cool both ways

madness410 · 07-07-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

there was a guy that used to own one of these out in the bay in cali...never saw the fan ones though...pretty cool both ways

there was one guy who did that..except no propeller. he attatched a ton of helium baloons to a lawn chair...and floated up. he disappeared...but the managed to recover the lawn chair.

NastyEllEssWon · 07-07-2009, 03:30 PM

wasnt that bill deutrieve on king of the hill?

madness410 · 07-07-2009, 03:33 PM

could have been actually...

WildBillyT · 07-07-2009, 03:38 PM

http://www.snopes.com/travel/airline/walters.asp