Pair of wings and some jets?

Question

there was a man i found on youtube that he basicly straped some metal wings and a few jets on the wings, jumped from a plane and flew streight (sometimes up) for 5 minuets. Do you think that this is a practical invention or is it some silly one that will have people falling form the sky every day?
Personaly i think its a practical one.

(currently he is making one that flys for 10 minuets, flys faster than 100mph and can do acrobatics and trying to manage take off )

here's the link btw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-66AcTo9TU

Answer 1

Very cool I think as well. But not practical until it can:
A. Get me to San Francisco non-stop
B. Somehow get my my cocktail and pretzels

Wonder how it handles in a thunderstorm??

Kind if like the jet-packs in the 70's. Very cool but you can't go far in 30 seconds of flight.

Answer 2

Yes it's for real. There's been a documentary on it on, I think, the Discovery Channel.

It's a suit - with wings, and a pair of micro-turbines on his back.

I don't think it's practical for any kind of day to day transportation - the range is short, but like skydiving, it might be fun to do as a sport or on occasion.

Answer 3

I saw the video you mentioned; pretty cool.
The guy in question however I believe is a super athlete and highly experienced skydiver. Practical, no. Fun? You bet. That is until some inexperienced yokel gets hold of one and kills himself (or someone else).
But, its one step closer to man flying like a bird (a real fast one).

Answer 4

A lot of engineering went into that "pair of wings and some jets", and a lot of skill & risk goes into the performance.
Nice trick though.
"If you're not having fun, whats the point?"