[TooTall]

I see that Felix Baumgartner is going to make another attempt to break the sound barrier while in free fall today. He started to attempt this on Monday and Tuesday but winds were too high for the balloon that he was going to skydive from. Hopefully the wind speed will remain below the 2 MPH required for him to accomplish this and he can reach the 23 mile altitude needed. Good luck.

Article

 

[IrishCop]

I've been following this story myself. The man has definitely got a pair that clangs when he walks. No crystal wind chimes there.

The number of things that can go wrong on a stunt like this are just too numerous to list. I wish him good luck and Godspeed.

 

[stand watie]

to Both,

GRAVITY, the fastest way down.

yours, satx

 

[stand watie]

to ALL,

NBC Radio News here in San Antonio reported that he is UP in the balloon about an hour ago.

Has anyone heard anything since?

yours, satx

 

[stand watie]

to ALL,

FOX News has LIVE coverage on the jump. - He is now at over 22,ooo feet & still climbing.

yours, sw

 

[TooTall]

He has now landed safely. I have not heard if he actually broke the speed of sound yet. He has set a new record for distance in freefall.

 

[WaltGraham]

Watched it live.

And yes, he broke the sound barrier.

And yes, he has a titanium pair...

 

[stand watie]

to ALL,

fwiw, there's a FINE line between GUTS & NUTS. - which is he?

yours, sw

 

[TooTall]

to ALL,

fwiw, there's a FINE line between GUTS & NUTS. - which is he?

yours, sw

I have to go with GUTS. This was well planned and thought through yet there was an element of danger still.

Just as a footnote today was also the anniversary of Chuck Yeager breaking the speed of sound in 1947. General Yeager did use an airplane in his feat.

 

[stand watie]

TooTall,

fwiw,we once visited the Air & Space Museum in DC with my (then brand new) bride & we elected to take the long GUIDED TOUR. - Imagine my surprise when it was GEN Yaeger that was our guide & he told us all about GLAMOUROUS GLYNNIS.

Even my bride was ENTRANCED by him after a few minutes & she was NOT an "airplane nut".
(in fact she didn't recognize his name, when he walked up to the group. & said, "Hi my name is Chuck & I'll be your guide today.")

I understand that he frequently did tours for the Smithsonian when he was visiting DC.

yours, sw

 

[TooTall]

I was channel surfing a little tonight and saw that CNN actually interviewed the General. I was surprised that he was still alive. You are very fortunate to have had the chance to talk to a piece of living history like him.

 

[stand watie]

TooTall,

We were just LUCKY to be placed on his guided tour in 1981 & I was priviledged to shake his hand, as well.
(My GI haircut "gave me away", i think, to the General. - He asked me WHICH service that i was in.)

btw, he (I believe because there were numerous ladies in our tour group) talked a good bit about his Glynnis & their life together in the USAF.
(My lady said later, "He is still very much in love with Glynnis. Nice, nice, man." )

yours, sw

 

[SpecialEd]

Yesterday, Yeager recreated his flight breaking the sound barrier, to the minute, 65 years later. Apparently, he is still going strong.

 

[bearcat6]

You should read Yeager's book, the title escapes me right now, but it's really good. He talks about hunting deer in the desert with a P51.

 

[TommyGunn]

You should read Yeager's book, the title escapes me right now, but it's really good. He talks about hunting deer in the desert with a P51.

.50BMG is legal for deer? Hope it doesn't mash up the meat too much . . . . :shock:

 

[Kevin Gibson]

You should read Yeager's book, the title escapes me right now, but it's really good. He talks about hunting deer in the desert with a P51.

It's called Yeager, and it's an outstanding book. That man lived a very interesting life indeed.