h a l f b a k e r yBreakfast of runners-up.
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The trick to flying, as Douglas Adams pointed out, is to throw yourself at the ground and miss. We can't do that forever, but the use of ground effect should allow us to throw ourselves down hills and avoid hitting the ground until after we reach the bottom.
A pair of wings will be attached to your
back, large enough to exploit ground effect and enable you to glide down the hill. Attached to your knees will be a pair of wheels/skids in order to slow to a stop after reaching the bottom of the hill - coming down even a small hill should provide be enough to accelerate one to over 30 miles per hour.
Surely you've all seen this one by now.
https://www.youtube...watch?v=TWfph3iNC-k
Sail, indeed. [RayfordSteele, Apr 10 2017]
[link]
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So, a kind of hang ekranoplan? |
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Hmm. A great many firt attempts at hang gliding are effectively this. |
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Of Course at "The Hill" you'd have all the rising hot air
from Senate and Congress you might need to stay
aloft . ( You would need to schedule your gliding
times to match the debate schedule. ) |
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A uniform, even slope would be best; an inactive* volcanic cone would serve. However, the ash is uncomfortably abrasive so serious protective clothing would be required, and wheels wouldn't work - skids would be better. |
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*An active cone would probably be a bit too exciting, even for the most ardent thrill-seeker. |
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You'll basically spend a day or so doing this while training
for a paragliding license. I would presume the same for
hang-gliding, although I'm not so sure about those death
machines. |
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Not so sure there's a big ground effect at play, not until
you have a good Anabatic wind in your favour. |
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Frankly, a paraglider wing is simpler, safer (well, kinda),
and more easily transportable than a big rigid wing
anyway. |
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