Skydriving

A reader writes "Autoweek has this article about a group of guys in Arizona who will drop your car out of a cargo jet for $15k. Parachutes for the car are optional. Their ultimate goal is to drop a Greyhound with forty people inside. More pictures here and here)"

They should talk to GM or Ford

[Black Copter Control]

I'm sure that any of the big 3 auto manufacturers would jump (excuse the pun) at the chance to put a paratrooping SUV into their adds. $15K/jump would be a pitttance to them. You might even have to raise your price just to get their attention.

Piano Tossing

[Stigmata669]

Lets not forget the piano tossing trebuchets [geocities.com] , inspiring crazy guys to throw big stuff since the middle ages.

Decadence

[Egoine]

From the shots page #2:

"[...] It is without a doubt, American decadence at its finest. [...]"

I can't stop trying to put things in perspectives theses days and realize how much the world is unfair. Some people will never get to use a car, and some are ditching one while skydiving. (I guess it doesn't work anymore, but still)

I am not saying it is not right to do so. It looks *really* cool!

But. Can't help and think about other human beings not even having access to drinkable water...

Some day we will have to face the fact that a more fair repartition is indeed needed. Are we happier today than 100 years ago because we can skydive in cars?

Go ahead, mod me down as redundant, libertarian bastard, suckers who speaks but does nothing, etc... I really just want to know if other feel the same way.

Re:Chuteless jump

[AndyMan!]

Just to clarify the "chuteless" jump, the stuntman who did its name is Greg Gasson. You can see the full video of it on the DVD called "Good Stuff", which you can buy from www.joejennings.com [joejennings.com]

During Freefall Greg was attached to the rig via an invisible harness and cable system.

However, upon deploying the parachute he disconnects the harness and alternates between hanging from his hands to his feet, then eventually climbing up and puts on the rig for landing. It's very cool, but if you think about it, no more dificult then much of the trapeze work done in circuses.

(yes, I'm a skydiver, with over 400 jumps to my name. I've always worn my parachute.)

_Am