Slightly off-topic I admit, but strikes a chord with me as a glider pilot:

http://today.reuters.com/tv/videostory.aspx?storyid=42c02bd811e7e8a45466c64db0 2cdb0c0fd0a8a0&WTmodLoc=vidarticle-r1-featuredvideo-7

David Starer

Pretty cool for sure, but not self-launching. He jumps out of an
airplane like any other skydiver,

I spent 25+ years hang gliding. THAT'S Self Launching.

But when the landing gear wears out, the face becomes a brake. Ask me
how I know this.

Mark Mocho

> I spent 25+ years hang gliding. THAT'S Self Launching.
>
> But when the landing gear wears out, the face becomes a brake. Ask me
> how I know this.

Especially if you hike up 1000+ ft vertical with more than 90 pounds of
gear. Ask me how I know this :-)

Tony V.

David Starer wrote:
> Slightly off-topic I admit, but strikes a chord with me as a glider pilot:

Longer video (including the launch) here:

http://www.jet-man.com/actuel_eng.html