Jumping with balloons (harebrained scheme)

In My Humble Opinion
1

Some people dream of flying, I dream of “super jumping.” That is: jumping a hundred feet in the air and then coming down again. It’s most akin to what Spiderman can do, except on a grander scale. I know it’s silly, but this idea popped into my head and I need others to tell me just how crazy I am.

I am not proposing to rig some system up to allow jumps a hundred feet high. But if I could even attain an extra few feet and slow the descent on my fall to earth, it would be well worth it. I am sure it is doable using weather balloons, but how would I go about calculating what would be required?

The idea was born out of a steampunk story I’m tossing around, in which the latest fashion / toy for young men is a personal hot air balloon which allows just this ability.

I know it’s harebrained. And I know my parents (as well as many friends, I suspect) would beat sense into me before I could do it, but I’m just asking…

– IG

2

I think there is a kite sport that lets you do that. I will try to find something. My flying dream lets me leap up (but not that high) and not land again. I can surf down hills and things a few feat off of the ground. I need to find a way to simulate that.

3

Here is kitejumping. Be careful about that hot air balloon thing. A miscalculation could make you end up like Larry Walters (he used weather balloons).

http://www.kitejumping.org/

4

Live your dream! http://www.parabounce.com/

5

Thanks for the links guys, maybe I’m not as harebrained as I thought.

I doubt I would do anything on my own unless I suddenly was given a deep understanding of physics and other related fields of science… I mean, I am 6’6" and 300 lbs, so it would take a lot to even get the lift, but I am also not stupid. Just harebrained!

Thanks again

– IG