Is Human Flight Possible?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jeremylorino
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Flight Human
Click For Summary
The discussion centers on the possibility of human flight, specifically in the style of Superman, rather than traditional methods like flapping wings. Participants express a mix of skepticism and creativity, with some suggesting that while human flight as depicted in comics is unlikely due to biological limitations, advancements in technology could allow for a form of flight through jetpacks or other devices. The conversation touches on the idea of altering human capabilities through technology or genetic modifications, as well as the theoretical potential of superconductors to enable levitation. However, many emphasize the need for mechanical assistance for any form of flight, dismissing the notion of natural human flight as unrealistic. The thread also includes humorous exchanges and references to pop culture, highlighting the imaginative nature of the topic while grounding it in scientific principles. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards the impracticality of achieving flight like Superman without significant technological intervention.
  • #31
you guys need to quit disrespecting too ... for you know know not what you say ... read a history book
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
tavernarijare said:
you guys need to quit disrespecting too ... for you know know not what you say ... read a history book

I don't know why. But this post cracked me up.

@OP, I don't think superman FLIED but he could JUMP really far. As it's been pointed out we could do this as well if we traveled somewhere with significantly less gravity.
 
  • #33
Sorry! said:
I don't know why. But this post cracked me up.

@OP, I don't think superman FLIED but he could JUMP really far. As it's been pointed out we could do this as well if we traveled somewhere with significantly less gravity.

Superman flies. How can you change direction in a jump?
 
  • #34
leroyjenkens said:
Superman flies. How can you change direction in a jump?

So when a glider launches themselves off of a cliff they just glide back to Earth in a straight line and have no control?

(Superman wore a cape)
 
  • #35
Sorry! said:
So when a glider launches themselves off of a cliff they just glide back to Earth in a straight line and have no control?

(Superman wore a cape)

The cape just fluttered there, it's not like it's a wing he has control over.
If you're going to include apparatus, you could just use a jetpack. Or you could jump onto an airplane as it's taking off and include all the maneuvering the airplane is doing as part of your jump.
Besides, you can obviously tell Superman flies when he lightly lifts off of the ground and flies slowly up into the sky. He's done that several times in the movies.
None of you actually believe all that flying he does is just a jump, do you?
 
  • #36
I think Sorry! is pulling your leg.

In the original Superman comics he merely leaped tall buildings in a single bound.
Some time in his history the writers decided he could fly.

That's pretty much it.
 
  • #37
rootX said:
Yep, it is possible.

Birds couldn't fly millions of years ago?

Some still cant, like the turkey, whose body mass is to great for its small wings to overcome gravity. It would seem to me humans might fall under that category.
 
  • #38
its ironic that so many people think that this idea is impossible ... i can make you fly in after effects ... why can it not be done in real life ... really i think the technology is already out there ... its all about control and the government trying to keep it ... if you seriously think that they don't already have some sort of solo flying device , your pretty nieve
 
  • #39
tavernarijare said:
what am i wrong about ... Jesus not walking on water ?

He used to. Not any longer. Not after those holes in the foot.
 
  • #40
tavernarijare said:
its ironic that so many people think that this idea is impossible ... i can make you fly in after effects ... why can it not be done in real life ... really i think the technology is already out there ... its all about control and the government trying to keep it ... if you seriously think that they don't already have some sort of solo flying device , your pretty nieve
Oh man. Thanks. I needed a good laugh today. If it weren't so long, I'd put that one as my new sig.
 
  • #41
FredGarvin said:
Oh man. Thanks. I needed a good laugh today. If it weren't so long, I'd put that one as my new sig.
Ooh. Good one! Immortalize it in a sig. I was just going to label him a troll. (Or maybe a "trole" - to pay homage to his spectacular spelling/grammar.)
 
  • #42
leroyjenkens said:
The cape just fluttered there, it's not like it's a wing he has control over.
If you're going to include apparatus, you could just use a jetpack. Or you could jump onto an airplane as it's taking off and include all the maneuvering the airplane is doing as part of your jump.
Besides, you can obviously tell Superman flies when he lightly lifts off of the ground and flies slowly up into the sky. He's done that several times in the movies.
None of you actually believe all that flying he does is just a jump, do you?

lol ;)

Ah man this thread was great. We need more guys like tavernarijare around here making posts.
 
  • #43
OK, enough ribbing.

tavernarijare, you're young.

There is nothing wrong with attempting to build your suit and frankly, we shouldn't be discouraging you. You'll learn a lot along the way. You'll learn a lot of skills, you'll learn what does work and what doesn't, and (I predict) you'll learn that it's ultimately impractical. Don't misunderstand - critics shouldn't stop you.

But you would do well to take advice. And you would do well to stop making claims about history and about government conspiracies. It is extremely hard to take you seriously while your loopiness is hanging out.


Also. Spelling. Unless you're really planning on making a flying bedroom/living-room combination, you might want to look up the spelling of that thing that Superman wears...
 
  • #44
A jet-pack could do the job if only for a few minutes. In the future, there might be jet-packs that can last longer.
 
  • #45
Quincy said:
A jet-pack could do the job if only for a few minutes. In the future, there might be jet-packs that can last longer.
My company designed, built and flew a jet pack that lasted much longer than the HO jet packs. The Army eventually canned it even though it flew very well. It was even shown on an episode of a show on the National Geographic channel.
 
  • #46
FredGarvin said:
My company designed, built and flew a jet pack that lasted much longer than the HO jet packs. The Army eventually canned it even though it flew very well. It was even shown on an episode of a show on the National Geographic channel.

I don't know how many of you guys have ever played Red Alert 2... But I remember those Rocketeers, damn they were annoying. You get like a swarm of 50 of them and you can take out the entire other teams base. (They were basically just flying soldiers with jet packs and used like a machine gun sort of weapon)
 
  • #47
Sorry! said:
I don't know how many of you guys have ever played Red Alert 2... But I remember those Rocketeers, damn they were annoying. You get like a swarm of 50 of them and you can take out the entire other teams base. (They were basically just flying soldiers with jet packs and used like a machine gun sort of weapon)
Again with the leg-pulling.
 
  • #48
DaveC426913 said:
Again with the leg-pulling.

Oh I wasn't leg pulling this time lol.

Just conversation this is in the general discussion.
 
  • #49
tavernarijare said:
I believe the Wright Brothers heard the same thing from everyone when they proposed there flying device ... It will be ... I am actually putting together and will test some ideas to make this possible... I am currently in the design phase of creating a superman suite ... With all of Supermans powers ... the current problem we have is that a human can only run at 26 miles per hour before there knee pop out of socket/ and or break ... the flying idea will be done as seen in the iron man movie ... through jet thrust ... more of a suite than actually like superman but ... close ... the suite will be powered by thousands of solar cells ... solar cells are used in very expensive watches to make them last for a thousand years ... and of course using the suns energy to give the whole suite power ... As Superman receives his powers from the sun ...we will too ... Any comments or Ideas let me know ... Man has thrived on making the impossible, possible . Jesus walked on water ... Man can create a suite as a will ...

I can't see how this person is serious. It must be a troll.
 
  • #50
Sorry! said:
Oh I wasn't leg pulling this time lol.

Just conversation this is in the general discussion.

I know what you're talking about. I never played the game much but I always thought those little guys with the jet packs were pretty cool.
 
  • #51
Leonardo da Vinci had many drawings that human flights were indeed possible. Have you ever take a good look at his drawings?
 
  • #52
jhooper3581 said:
Leonardo da Vinci had many drawings that human flights were indeed possible. Have you ever take a good look at his drawings?

I can also draw superman with a cape, that does not mean said drawing proves it to be possible.
 
  • #53
Why this thread isn't deleted amazes me. Seriously...? What point does this thread serve other than to promote nonsense?
 
  • #54
jhooper3581 said:
Leonardo da Vinci had many drawings that human flights were indeed possible. Have you ever take a good look at his drawings?

I am a fan of da Vinci, yes. I am well-familiar with his drawings. My office is decorated with them for inspiration.

But drawings do not fly. What's your point?



I'll beat you to the punch: you obviously think his devices worked. They did not.
.
.
.
 
Last edited:
  • #55
Cyrus said:
Why this thread isn't deleted amazes me. Seriously...? What point does this thread serve other than to promote nonsense?

Wow, I don't say this very often - but I couldn't possibly agree more with Cyrus.:confused::rolleyes::biggrin:
 
  • #56
Cyrus said:
Why this thread isn't deleted amazes me. Seriously...? What point does this thread serve other than to promote nonsense?
So we can have fun and post awesome videos like this..

Now hush up! ;-p
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #57
Warning: Don't try this at home!

Flying is easy. Just jump and aim for the ground and miss.
 
  • #58
jeremylorino said:
Is human flight possible? I'm not talking about flapping your wings. I'm talking about flying like Superman. I think it's possible. Does anyone have an explanation? I fly all the time in my dreams and I feel like I could fly in real life. Please be serious about this post because I am.

Although our bodies do not allow flight, I believe that some kind of alteration or addition to a human may allow flight, but I do not think such an ability would occur naturally. I'm guessing something that would allow a person to travel at an extremely fast rate or some way to counter gravity's pull.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #59
I used to make the room spin by drinking enough beer.
 
  • #60
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

How Do Insects Fly Despite Aerodynamic Challenges?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Velocity and the human experience
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Plotting My Air Flight Path from Photos
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
What is the most advanced software that simulates human behaviour?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Got the new Microsoft Flight Sim for Christmas
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Can St Bernards Handle Long Airplane Flights?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
I Can a microscopic insect fly by flapping rigid wings?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Is this device possible (hope not)?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
271
Human Bird Wings: Is It Real or Fake?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
8K
Do Video Games Influence Dream Flying Experiences in the Younger Generation?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K