Links of Interest – First Person Perspectives on Flying


Today’s Links of Interest feature videos that give you some amazing first person perspectives on flying. While each is spectacular in its own right, together this set takes you through an increasingly exhilarating exploration of man’s quest to soar through the heavens. Get a pilot’s eye view of what it’s like to fly a corporate jet, strap on a carbon-fiber jet wing and fly in formation with two jets, and base jump off of a mountain wearing only a “wing suit” and parachute:

1) A Day in the Life of a Corporate Pilot

Ryan Roth is married to one of my favorite business colleagues. He’s also a corporate pilot. Using a GoPro camera mounted on his forehead, Ryan gives us an up close look at his work day as he delivers a Pilatus PC-12 to a maintenance facility for its annual inspection.

2) Jetman Flies in Formation With Actual Jets

Swiss pilot Yves “Jetman” Rossy was featured on the cover of National Geographic in September of this year. He has designed his own carbon-fiber wing fitted with jet engines which he uses to race through the sky at speeds up to 184-189mph. In this video, he flys in formation with two jets. (HT: WIRED.com)

3) Sense of Flying

Espen Fadnes has been dubbed “The World’s Fastest Flying Human Being”. This video takes us to the top of a high peak in Norway to watch as Espen jumps off a cliff for a 155mph controlled descent to the alpine lake far below. Using multiple camera angles and top-quality production, I was absolutely floored as I watched his flight unfold. As soon as I finished watching it, I immediately watched it again. If you are going to watch one video in this set, this one is it.

Pixar/Inception Trailer – What if Pixar made Inception?

The only way I know how to describe this mashup is, “Fabulous!” ;)

“Apple of My Eye” – an iPhone Short Film

Among the new features of Apple’s latest iPhone is its ability to shoot and edit HD video. This short film is a great example of what someone with the necessary skills and talent can do with this remarkable device. After watching it, I’m inspired to go out and shoot my own. How about you?

290 lbs Plus One Glass Backboard

290 lbs plus one glass backboard equals some shattered glass and a 52 minute delay. (HT: Yahoo! Sports)

Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus Trailer

How in the world did I miss this?! Coming out earlier this year, Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus stars Debbie Gibson and Lorenzo Lamas. This has got to be one of the best B-movie trailers I’ve seen since Snakes on a Plane.

HowTo: Use YouTube to Get Noticed by Hollywood

The story surrounding the following video is as cool as the special effects in the video itself.

The basic gist is that Fede Alvarez spent about $300 producing “Panic Attack”, a 4 minute video of a robot invasion in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. Next Alvarez posted his video on YouTube, and it went viral. This was followed by emails from Hollywood execs ending with a $30 million deal with Ghost House Pictures.

For more details, see this post on Yahoo!

Imagine a Digital Magazine

Imagine what a magazine might look like in a digital format. The concept presented in this video comes close to replicating all the features I might want and adds a few more:

EllaTV – Where’s Ella?

Watch as we play one of Ella’s favorite games.

EllaTV Episode 7 – Ella’s First Bites

EllaTV Episode 7 – Ella’s First Bites from Michael Wender on Vimeo.