Beside the fishtank there sits a small electric-powered helicopter, its original radio-control system replaced by a much more complicated sensor array and a spherical, water-filled plastic tank. A fish desiring freedom swims through a water-filled tunnel and into spherical tank mounted beneath the helicopter's rotors, which begin spinning. Seals close and the spherical disconnects from the tube that connected it to the main tank. The fish inside the sphere swims tentatively in the direction it wishes to go, nosing gently against the plastic bubble. The helicopter lifts into the air and soars in the direction the fish is trying to swim.

Advanced sensors prevent the helicopter from running into things and return it to the base station to recharge its batteries when needed.

The fish, having flown outside, soars above the lake which its owner's house overlooks. The silhouette of the helicopter on the water spooks some wild fish, and the domestic fish looks on in stupid and confused apathy as its silver-scaled wild brethren jump and swim away in panic.
-- sninctown, May 25 2008

Prior Art If_20fish_20could_20fly_2e_2e_2e
Same idea, only helium powered. [DrCurry, May 25 2008]

Fish tank fish_20_22tank_22
To help deal with the fact that the device moves without the water. [ye_river_xiv, May 25 2008]

"Flying" fish http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_fish
The oceanic version [8th of 7, May 26 2008]

A huge step forward in piscine aviation [+].

A minature helium blimp would be quieter and less power hunger, though.
-- 8th of 7, May 25 2008


Like a fish out of water, which is enjoying itself tremendously.
-- plynthe, May 25 2008


This sounds very familiar, for some reason.
-- DrCurry, May 25 2008


Homing Guppies!
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, May 25 2008


But if the water does not circulate, the fish will simply swim smack into the end of the ball.

As I like this idea in general though, I suggest you examine my Fish "tank" idea for a potential way to modify the streaming effect that should allow a fish to keep going.
-- ye_river_xiv, May 25 2008


The best would be, invent it and stand back. Watch what fish would do when airborn. Would they follow patterns they displayed in the water, or would they explore? Brain scans before and after might show a tremendous jump in intelligence associated with new experiences.
-- plynthe, May 25 2008


The best study of this would be fish interacting with fish-eating birds like eagles and osprey, except on their own terms.
-- plynthe, May 26 2008


<TopGun>

"Nemo ! Nemo ! I've got one on my tail ! Get him off me ! Get him off me !

</TopGun>
-- 8th of 7, May 26 2008


Ontario News Headline 2009

In a bizarre turn of events, a flying lake trout was seen tormenting a family of Osprey on Sabaskong Bay Today. The trout was airborne in a device with a logo on the side which read "halfbakery.com". Officials are looking into the incident.
-- plynthe, May 26 2008


If you put a Parexocoetus brachypterus in one of these it would be mightilly confused......
-- 8th of 7, May 26 2008



random, halfbakery