Top Secret Project Takes Flight, Sort of
Jesse James, star of the Discovery Channel’s hit show “Monster
Garage”–and distant relative of the Wild West outlaw–successfully “flew”
his latest project on Friday. Though it’s meant to be secret until
episodes run in June, AIN has learned that James and his crew modified a
lightweight Penoz Esperante sports car with wings, tailboom and
pusher-mounted aircraft engine. Roger Jarrell of the Kitty Hawk Free
Press told AIN that James’s “flight” consisted of a 100-foot crow hop
reaching an altitude of about five feet. James, who informed onlookers
he had taken at least one flying lesson, chose Currituck County Airport,
N.C., after he was denied permission to use First Flight Airport, where
the Wright Brothers flew their own project 120 feet. The Esperante’s
Vref was announced as “at least 88 miles per hour”–about 75 knots. The
flying-car episode of Monster Garage will be aired in two parts as the
season finale in June. (Photo courtesy of Kitty Hawk Free Press, and
used with permission.)