Flying Boat Ultralight

:: Wednesday, July 21st, 2004 @ 6:21:34 pm

:: Tags: Photo

up in the ultralight

West Palm Beach: The conditions were finally right, and Jimmy and I had 40 minutes of flying time before the winds started to pick up out of the west. I never knew that buildings and other entities that extend up into the sky could cause so much turbulence, but we were up near 1000 feet in altitude, and we could very clearly feel the vortices caused by the wind blowing across the condos on Singer Island. Jimmy’s buddy Gary was also up in his flying boat, and I had a good time photographing him from ours — that is, when I wasn’t worried that a lens cap would fly out of my hands into the propeller. :)

I also remember it being easier to take self-portraits with the D60. The 1Ds is a really heavy camera, and holding it out at arm’s length against the wind is not such an easy task. [see some photos]

| Popularity: 3% | San Francisco, CA | link | trackback | Jul 21, 2004 18:21:34

:: 10 comments (rss)

1. posted by syndromes on Wed, July 21, 2004 @ 7:43 pm

   That fisheye lens really makes your head look fat dude! I kid, i kid!
   
   Seriously, that looks like a LOTTA fun. I love to fly - I can’t wait until I go paragliding in September, woot!

2. posted by Dave P on Wed, July 21, 2004 @ 10:17 pm

   That boat looks like a ton of fun and completely terrifying at the same time. The implications of any failure seem non-trivial in regard to your health. Yes, the fish eye lens does seem to increase the lipid composition of your noggin’ ;) BTW, I’m convinced mosquitos should be made extinct.

3. posted by Caroline :) on Thu, July 22, 2004 @ 9:15 am

   wow. that looks like a total adrenaline rush!!

4. posted by tammy on Thu, July 22, 2004 @ 10:25 am

   what the hell is a flying boat?! and how do i get myself on one?!

5. posted by echeng on Thu, July 22, 2004 @ 10:56 am

   tammy: it’s very difficult to get yourself up in one. i don’t know anyone that gives rides, but some instructors may take you up for a test flight if you are interested in training…

6. posted by James Wiseman on Thu, July 22, 2004 @ 3:12 pm

   Very timely Eric:
   
   “Alligator bites off Florida woman’s arm”
   
   http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Sou.....index.html

7. posted by justkristin on Sat, July 24, 2004 @ 11:29 pm

   How fast were you going? Looks like something I’d like to try.

8. posted by guest on Thu, September 15, 2005 @ 10:35 pm

   i’m very interested in your flying boat. Please contact me at your convenience 970 376 1421

9. posted by colin doyle on Thu, September 15, 2005 @ 10:37 pm

   I’m very interested in your flying boat.
   Please contact me at your convenience 970 376 1421 Colin

10. posted by Ron Andor on Wed, February 13, 2008 @ 2:12 pm

    So where can I find out about these boats. Can I buy one or build one? Who would I talk to? Thanks Ron

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