Going to a sit-down movie in the 1950’s was a big treat.  Before the feature film there were cartoons and a black and white newsreel which often showed men testing jetpacks.  It was fascinating watching them suit up and then “blasting off”.   It was also scary.  I was sure that by the time I was an adult everyone would use jet-packs for transportation and I was terrified of heights.  

I spent hours planning flight routes along and just above the electrical lines.  I figured that would keep me as low as was possible to avoid bumping into trees, chimneys and such.

I’m relieved jetpacks never came into vogue.  Where I live all the electrical lines are underground and I would be flying blind.

*   *   *

I wonder if these pilots are old enough to remember newsreels and men flying with jetpacks?

“The costs of the shoot are unknown, but each jet has a list price of $300 million, so it’s safe to assume that well over $1.5 billion of machinery was on the line.”

“Airbus recently took this remarkable skill [flying in formation] to a whole new level in a promo video designed to show off its new A350 XWB passenger jet. The beautifully choreographed stunt involved five of the brand-new A350-900 jets, as well as two chase planes and a helicopter.”

Here’s the article: Watch Airbus risk 15 billion in a wild airplane stunt

Thanks Lyn for sending this spectacular ride.