The real caption on this news photo tells us this gizmo is “less expensive than a conventional helicopter,” and by conventional helicopter I believe they mean real helicopter.
Look, if I’m going to be riding in something thousands of feet up, the last thing I’m interested in hearing is that it was a bargain. Excuse me, I believe I’ll just go ahead and take the expensive kind, please. While we’re at it, don’t be asking me to get in something called a gyrocopter, which sounds like it came out of Inspector Gadget’s workshop.
I went to the company’s Web site, and they’re selling rides on this thing, and one of the options is Rundfluege, or round-trip. I don’t even want to know what the alternative to that is.
German police test fly a gyrocopter ‘MT-03′ near Schoenhagen airfield, south of Berlin August 20, 2007. The gyrocopter will be used by police for traffic control and searches. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke
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Eric,
I can vouch for Bob’s sensitivities. Heck — he won’t even fly business class.
- Posted by John C AbellNow, Bob, you know that weird German guy who had only built model planes ended up saving everyone in “Flight of the Phoenix.”
There — I got my movie/TV reference in.
One more thing: you call that a gyrocopter?
- Posted by John C AbellThe gyrocopter is a fabulously safe form of air transportation as long as you do not try to use the ejection seat. If you do, you’ve got seriuos problems.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksCome to think if it, methane (.7g/l) is lighter than dry air(1.2g/l). I guess God did intend man to fly! I wonder how long it would take for a person to collect enough lift to equal his own mass.
Anybody?
- Posted by Shawn HendricksDear Mr. Basler,
It seems to be working. Interest is up! Keep them ’shill’ dollars coming.
Yer bud,
Shawn
p.s. The Christmas tin of variety popcorns was a classy touch; even if late (it’s August!), somewhat stale and obviously previously sampled.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksEric,
- Posted by Robert BaslerThanks for your comments. Sorry, I don’t do the sort of posts where I add “just kidding.” I leave it to the readers to decide whether I’m serious. And, I didn’t say this thing was unsafe, I just said I wouldn’t want to go up in one.
Bob,
- Posted by Shawn HendricksIt’s a Mad Max reference.
Wholly open cockpit, Batman.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksI think the fact that you have to carry a miniature crossbow when you fly one over Australia would be kind of a put-off.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksI found the leggo that turned up missing during the pre-flight check. You were right. It’s blue.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksAnd the relief tube is where?
- Posted by Shawn HendricksSorry, dude. A trike is a trike is a trike. I don’t care what’s above the wheels.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksAre we there yet? Are we there yet? Look! I can see my house from here.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksWhen it can hover, THEN you can talk to me.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksRobert, you deserve the abuse so chiming in that “John couldn’t have put it better” makes you look like a bigger fool than you already appear to be.
You didn’t know anything about the technology or if you did you managed to miss the part where you say “just kidding” and show that you have some clue as to what you’re talking about. You shared your half-a**ed opinion and then when 3 people call you on your crap, you decide treat the guy who does not as some form of hero. Sorry, the 3 who called you out are the heroes.
The technology has been around for ages and as has been mentioned is much safer than a “real” helicopter. It might be odd but that doesn’t prevent it from being legit, just as Orville and Wilbur’s machine was odd but now it’s a common device that we see every day.
- Posted by EricThanks, John! I couldn’t have put it better myself!
- Posted by Robert Basler“… you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“obvious ignoramus!”
I’d like to add my welcome to two apparently very new Odd Blog readers. You ain’t seen nothing yet.
- Posted by John C AbellGrrrrroowrr, you two!! Calm down. Geez. Has humor escaped this planet, or what?
Go, go, gadget gyro-copter!!
- Posted by Lady WeaselWhat an extremely rude comment from an obvious ignoramus!
I would suggest you should do your homework on a subject before you make a bigger fool of yourself.
Australia is a very large continent, and four of these beautiful safe machines recently flew right round it, 13,000 kms in about 3 weeks.
Get your facts correct in future!
- Posted by WellieGyrocopters are considerably safer than helicopters with fewer maintenance issues and have been around a very long time. It’s easy to take potshots when you don’t know what you’re talking about.
- Posted by Ravin