What Do You Think is His Max Speed?

[adapa]

This looks like fun but I can't help wondering what is his max speed while going down this road?

[01101001]

"This" being a large mp4 video of a person sporting wheels, skates and a sort of roller suit, rolling down a mountain road -- for people who wish to know where a link is taking them.

[sarongsong]

Much appreciated, 01101001; no need to go there.

[megrfl]

Very cool, dangerous and gutsy. I would guess his speed doesn't exceed 60 mph, it appears he earnestly tries to keep his speed down to maintain control.

[Larry Jacks]

I can't watch that video link (blocked) but I want one of these really, really bad. It would make my commute to work so much more fun.

Link to Popular Science article about NASA's Puffin VTOL aircraft.

[Swift]

I can't watch that video link (blocked) but I want one of these really, really bad. It would make my commute to work so much more fun.

Link to Popular Science article about NASA's Puffin VTOL aircraft.

Oh, me want! 50 mile range, just enough to get me to work. Perfect.

[Fazor]

Oh, me want! 50 mile range, just enough to get me to work. Perfect.

Perfect for my 1 1/2 mile trip to work, which would become closer to a 50 mile trip had I one of those! (The scenic route )

[RAF_Blackace]

55 mile trip for me to get to work, could I glide the last five miles ?

[Larry Jacks]

55 mile trip for me to get to work, could I glide the last five miles ?

With those short wings, I don't think it'll glide very far. It looks like the wings are designed for cruise only. All takeoffs and landings are vertical. I think you'd have to wait until battery technology allowed for a longer range. You'd also need a recharging station at work.

One interesting aspect of the design is the prone pilot position. This was tested* back in the 1940s on a few planes but never was used in an operational airplane. However, in this design, it allows the pilot to be standing upright for takeoffs and landings. This overcomes one the the critical problems on the experimental Pogo VTOL planes built by Lockheed and Convair. In those planes, the pilot's seat was orientated for normal flight. That meant he was lying on his back for takeoffs and landings. Takeoffs weren't bad but trying to land while looking over your shoulder was very difficult.

*The experimental Northrop MX-324 (America's first rocket powered plane) and XP-79 Flying Ram used the prone pilot position. In the 1950s, the prone pilot position was tested on an experimental version of the Gloster Meteor. I don't recall any other tests. There are issues with that position including the possibility of vertigo, the difficulty of looking up or behind you, and pilot fatique. For short flights, fatique might not be a problem.

[adapa]

I was more than a little surprised when I saw him overtake that motorcycle. I would probably wear a few more reflectors too, especially when going through that tunnel.

[rommel543]

55 mile trip for me to get to work, could I glide the last five miles ?

Is that straight line or by road? It would be shorter if you measure straight line.