i'm writing a book - right here!

backusstudio · 6 January 2009, 06:41 AM

Rory, if you know that West Virginia is a separate state from western Virginia, you know more about American geography than most Americans do! (Not that it's all that difficult to reach that pinnacle

).

I'd love to see Ireland. I bummed around Europe for a month in my 20s but never made it past Scotland. I was mostly trying to hit the big art museums. It was only having a friend in Edinburgh that took me there. All gorgeous country and wonderful people. I'd love to go back.

Enjoy the Songcatcher. My mother was actually alive in West Virginia in the '20s and she said the movie was the best representation she'd ever seen.

Cheers-

AAC Cadet Leader · 2 February 2009, 05:36 PM

in 1960, twenty-eight years before i rode with him in the rosie o'grady's stearman on the last leg of my journey, my 199th pilot, col. joe kittinger broke three world records. here's an amazing video of him:

YouTube - First Man in Space - Skydiving From The Edge Of The World

backusstudio · 2 February 2009, 06:19 PM

Thanks for introducing me to Joe at Oshkosh, Martha. I wasn't familiar with his exploits prior to seeing him speak. I was blown away to think about a man having the guts to jump from a weather balloon at nearly 20 miles up! Some people are definitely made of stouter stuff.

AAC Cadet Leader · 2 February 2009, 06:27 PM

sure thing, mike. it was a blast for me, too. and i was thrilled that he knew who i was when we showed up backstage after his interview at theatre in the woods.

Roryanimations · 3 February 2009, 01:55 AM

That is a very moving film. The vulnerability of the human frame as he clambers inside the pressure suit; the awful abyss he confronts; the sheer cold terror and the bravery to overcome that; and all for what? An experiment in endurance, a test of courage, and a short film on You Tube. I salute the crazy Colonel. Greetings from South West Ireland in the snow...

All the best

Rory

backusstudio · 3 February 2009, 06:47 AM

Hi Rory,

That really was a nice youtube short wasn't it? Some enterprising film maker should make a full length film based on Joe Kittinger's experiences skydiving from the edge of space.

In his talk at Oshkosh Joe said that the purpose of the jumps was to test a parachute design meant to save astronauts from failing space craft. In tests using human analogs (dummies) the dummies got into spins at such a high rpm that they were torn apart. The parachute was designed to first prevent the spinning and then to slow the astronaut to something below mach .9. In one jump Joe got into a spin, I believe due to one 'chute not deploying properly. Before he could pull his backup 'chute cord he was spinning fast enough that his arms were forced straight out by centrifugal force. He was barely able to pull his arm in to pull the release.

An amazing man from the height (literally) of the American era.

AAC Cadet Leader · 23 March 2009, 11:03 PM

i just got an e-mail from my pilot, Terry Weathers, who flew me into california from oregon. what a thrill to hear from him after twenty-one years!

here he is on the far left:

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/no...tml#post360782

AAC Cadet Leader · 13 April 2009, 09:36 PM

My starting and ending point was Orlando, Florida at Rosie O'Grady's Flying Circus Hangar.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q.../HGWT_map1.jpg

Wind In The Wires · 15 April 2009, 11:41 PM

Nice map, gives a better idea of the magnitude of your adventure.

Roryanimations · 16 April 2009, 01:35 AM

That is a fantastic map!! I got airsick just looking at it... What an amazing journey. I've printed it out and I'm going to put it on my office wall, remind myself I don't have to spend my life in front of a computer screen. I hope we meet one day so I can shake the hand of an extraordinary woman