Basejumper.com - archive

http://www.popsci.com/...ingle-page-view=true

Congrats Jason!

Thanks Bryan. I wasn't expecting people to see this catapult in the same negative light as they see BASE jumpers. But there is no difference to the folks who spend their lives on the couch, I guess.

If anyone is curious, I documented the catapult build from early assembly through Bridge Day launches:

http://youtu.be/PYXokg9YDoY

It'll be back at Bridge Day 2013. Also, I may need some volunteers to be launched into water next month for a Discovery Channel show.

Comment from the article:

"Hello all. I'm the guy who built the catapult described in this article.
Over the years, I've come to accept the fact that most people will never fully understand why people like me decide to BASE jump. Now I'm realizing that building a catapult system is no different. Perhaps it's human nature to question the sanity of individuals who do/build things that others consider to be risky? The world might be a better place if we can understand and respect those that are different.
Nonetheless, I wanted to chime in here and explain a few things from the comments above.
-I designed 100% and built/assembled 80% of catapult. Since I don't have a machine shop, I had a local company cut and weld the steel framework from my CAD drawings. I didn't buy the catapult.
-Catapults may have been perfected many years ago, but they weren't powered by pneumatic cylinders, internal combustion engines, and air compressors. I doubt our ancestors had to draw any shear-force or bending-moment diagrams.
-$25,000 for a catapult does sound high. My wife agrees! Keep in mind that a good 11hp engine can cost nearly $1000 and a pneumatic cylinder can easily exceed $2500. Add a custom $5000 trailer to haul it around and the overall cost might make more sense.
I guess I could have simply bought a nice Harley for the money I put into this catapult. But motorcycle riding is really dangerous and I could easily be killed (motorcyclists are REALLY crazy!). Plus, this catapult will eventually pay itself off."

Haha, awesome response, especially the last few lines. Nice work Jason.

-J

i saw your videos earlier, great stuff... sorry i missed the testing!

Bravo Jason. Pretty awesome taking an idea and making it into reality. As for the hecklers...there's the doers, and then there's the...well...there's the fat fucks who go nowhere with their life.

Outstanding creation, Jason.
Jim Guyer

A lack of love leads to obscurty. death leads tanal

Nice work Jason. I think I might come to Bridge Day this year to try it out if it's still in use.

Jim Wade wants to see me fly out of this contraption so I might just see you there

Great stuff, Jason.