JeffD 0 #1 October 20, 2003 Well I have an idea floating around in my head. (I have 0 base, and 4 skydives) anyway is it reasonable to think that a buisness person could build a Base structure, say 1000' tall with a simple elevator and charge a few bucks a lift. I realize that this takes away the whole rebel image but. What do you think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #2 October 20, 2003 Cost: prohibitive Liability: Extreme Potential market: Small Affluence of potential market: low Availability of financing: Zilch Aside from that, no problem! First Class Citizen Twice Over Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouYoung 0 #3 October 20, 2003 And if you're going to do it, you'd want it bigger than 1000 feet. What's the tallest antenna? Somewhere over 2000? Anyone think some guy wires could hold up a mile high antenna structure? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #4 October 20, 2003 QuoteAnyone think some guy wires could hold up a mile high antenna structure? I dunno, but maybe some girl wires could. www.WingsuitPhotos.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 25 #5 October 20, 2003 I believe that the US government prohibits tower structures over 2000' (I have seen some that were apparently grandfathered in or granted waivers, at 20xx feet). This is more generous than in most other parts of the world.-- Tom Aiello [email protected] SnakeRiverBASE.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,464 #6 October 20, 2003 I have a better idea. Rent a 250' crane, set it up over some sand somewhere and set it to spinning. (Most cranes can only spin a few times in either direction, so you'd have to plan for that.) Jumpers go out on the end and do poised exits. A lot more time to set up for landing than a "normal" 250' BASE jump since you have some airspeed to work with at exit. You can even spot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #7 October 20, 2003 Anyone know how big cranes can get? First Class Citizen Twice Over Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 25 #8 October 20, 2003 QuoteI have a better idea. Rent a 250' crane, set it up over some sand somewhere and set it to spinning. Better yet, set it up over the edge of a cliff. The cliff doesn't even have to be overhung, since the crane will get out far enough to avoid the face. Hmm, now where have I seen that...?-- Tom Aiello [email protected] SnakeRiverBASE.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #9 October 20, 2003 I don't do aerials (in which case I'd want a span) and am not real interested in making a lot of jumps off the same object (arround here we joke that you can only count the first 50 off the span in Idaho, and after 6-10 in a trip I'm ready for something else). Some subset of the BASE community seems to subscribe to the same theory and wouldn't be back for many repeats. When it comes to travel, for me it needs to be close (Moab is under 6 hours away), spectacular (the popular cave in Mexico, maybe Norway), or someplace I'd like to go but just need an excuse (Italy, Kuala Lumpur). I don't know how typial that is either. IOW, you might have a small subset of an already small market. As far as tower costs, I did a search. Estimated total installed cost was as follows: 350' $100,000 500' $165,000 1050' $620,000 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JeffD 0 #10 October 21, 2003 What about something to launch basers into the sky. Something like the superman ride at six flags but have no restraints so once the car stops the baser keeps going to ~2000' before they start to return to earth. (Kinda like a 2000' catapult) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #11 October 21, 2003 QuoteWhat about something to launch basers into the sky. Something like the superman ride at six flags but have no restraints so once the car stops the baser keeps going to ~2000' before they start to return to earth. (Kinda like a 2000' catapult) To launch somebody 2000 vertical feet they would have to come off of the rail at about 240 miles per hour. This is assuming that we are back in high school and can ignore the effects of Earth's atmoshpere. Unfortunately, it has such a huge impact that it just isn't possible to dicount it. A launch speed high enough to guarantee that the jumper makes it to 2000' no matter how wildly they are tumbling (read: how un-aerodynamic they become) would probably put people in the hospital. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cesslon 0 #12 October 21, 2003 In my country the USO (United states of OZ) Australia lol there is a tower being built (well more of a building) that will be a little over 1KM High or 3000 feet it will be 1Km high at the top and 3 Km wide at the bottom its going to be this big sollar energy thing , the tower will be like a Huge chimy with Fans in the centre and hot hair from solar panels on the 3KM circle on the ground will rise up the centre of this tower to 3000 feet in the air spinning the fans inside generating electricity this will be built out in the desert in the state of Queensland. and it will have a Observation deck on top and a elevator running up the side for matainence perpouses but also for a look out I aint a base jumper so i dont know if there is mant taller towers then this but i do know id like to Jump it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atle 0 #13 October 21, 2003 QuoteIn my country the USO (United states of OZ) Australia lol there is a tower being built (well more of a building) that will be a little over 1KM High or 3000 feet Here´s a couple of pictures of it and a link to the project: http://www.enviromission.com.au/index1.htm AtleSee what I'm saying? Thats what I'm saying! What am I saying? I DON'T KNOW!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base689 0 #14 October 21, 2003 > (...in OZ...) there is a tower being built (well more of a building) that will be a little over 1KM High or 3000 feet We all know quite well since few months that this tower is under construction... Apart form the fact that it is located just in the other part of the world with respect where I live (Europe), so it is of relevant interest to me and to other European/Americans/whatever as an object to be jumped "any day", but can you only imagine, granted the value and strategic value of that solar tower, and how precious the sun panel that cover all the bottom (=landing area) are, how difficult (=impossible) is to jump that tower?!?!?!? I think that as soon as you approach the area, there will be someone that shoots in your back as soon as you show up (by far). A remote possibility to jump it would be when under construction, but apparently they are assembling the huge underneath area ALREADY with the (very precious) solar panels, so, I think, someway somewhow they would place in force an outstanding service of patrol, guarding the structure from ANYBODY. Just my 0.02€ Moreover, the theory is that, YES, it COULD be possible to manufature a "fixed structure" suitable for BASE jump, but in PRACTICE it is simply impossible to do it in the sense that the accessibility to people (=BASE jumpers: first there are "few" and second if they have to pay to jump this "man-made-BASE-wonder-object", they would stick to their usual local objects, that costs 0 (zero)...) and the economic outcome would be WAYYYYYY neglectable with respect to money spent to build it and to manage it, left alone ALL the liability issues regarding possible accidents/fatalities/whatever. For me: discussion about building up from scratch an object suitable for BASE jump = game for the mind and nothing more Another time: just my very personal 0.02€Stay safe out there Blue Skies and Soft Walls BASE #689 - base_689AT_NO_123_SPAMyahoo.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #15 October 21, 2003 QuoteFor me: discussion about building up from scratch an object suitable for BASE jump = game for the mind and nothing more unless you suddenly gets alot mony you dont know how to spend... Im whith you,its a dream,that posily will stay as a dream... Stay safe Stefan Faber Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 561 #16 October 21, 2003 Trying to charge the BASE community enough to cover the cost of construction is ludacris. The trick is convincing the general public to pay for the tower. You would not believe the numbers of first-skydive students who tell me that they want to take up BASE jumping. The problem is that few of them have the determination to make the two or three jumps required for freefall, much less the 200 or 300 before I will introduce them to a BASE mentor. The trick is develop an idiot-proof parachute that will allow them to survive a single jump, then charge their friends and relatives an arm and a leg to watch, double if they want to take pictures. From an instructor's perspective this is way safer than dropping students out of Cessnas: no hassles with spotting, static-line guarantees they will have something overhead, etc. Yes, I know this concept runs counter to BASE philosophy, but it is the only way I can see to convince jumpers to pay for a tower. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base689 0 #17 October 21, 2003 > The trick is convincing the general public to pay for the tower "general public" = too few people... (see after...) > You would not believe the numbers of first-skydive students who tell me that they want to take up BASE jumping "1st-sd-BASE-wannabe" = still too few to even think about sharing building and running and maintenance costs... > The trick is develop an idiot-proof parachute that will allow them to survive a single jump... So far away from reality... If such a parachute existed, we (=world BASE jumpers) would use it for ANY jump!!!!! > then charge their friends and relatives an arm and a leg to watch, double if they want to take pictures Still too few for sharing costs of tower/whatever like... > Yes, I know this concept runs counter to BASE philosophy, but it is the only way I can see to convince jumpers to pay for a tower Theoretical. Theoretically it COULD work, in the real world: never in a million years. Building up a tower is tremendously costly, left alone the "cost-of-purchase-the-field-where-tower-is-to-be-manufactured" or even the "rent-the field-where-tower-is-to-be-manufactured"... Left alone all the liability issues anything could go wrong... Left alone all security means that must be put in force to avoid any BASE-wannabe climb it night time in a self-taught BASE jumping fashion ("hey, mate, you saw the tower? Yes? What about this night..."), left alone BASE jumpers in activity which are NOT going to pay to jump it (but they are going to jump it anyway ) Just my 0.02€Stay safe out there Blue Skies and Soft Walls BASE #689 - base_689AT_NO_123_SPAMyahoo.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterk 0 #18 October 21, 2003 I have an idea floating around in my head that I got from combining BASE and these silly MBA classes that I am taking... Essentially, it would include getting an antenna and having BASE jumpers own it, for free!!! If someone would be interested in hearing about it, PM me...--------------- Peter BASE - The Ultimate Victimless Crime Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterk 0 #19 October 21, 2003 How much would a 500-1000' antenna out in typical BFE location be worth? Are there any expensive FAA or FCC permits that have to be updated, or is it one of those things that once you own it and have it sticking up in the air, it is low-cost?--------------- Peter BASE - The Ultimate Victimless Crime Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy2 0 #20 October 21, 2003 that 250' freestander on ebay sold for about 5 grand I believe. It had a half acre of property too iirc. --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 561 #21 October 22, 2003 Actually, it is pretty easy to build 99.999999% reliable parachutes. Armies around the world do hundreds of thousands of jumps per year from less than 1,000 feet (300 metres) with static-lined parachutes. Malfunctions are almost non-existent on military canopies. I would cheerfully jump any modern military static-line canopy from an airplane flying at 500 feet, without a reserve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ber 0 #22 October 22, 2003 well.. theres two small villages in my country with a river between, they ask for a bridge for long, so...Ber --------------------------------- "Who Needs Oxygen Anyway?" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chapsta 0 #23 November 6, 2003 I've had an idea for awhile... What about some sort of really light gas? Why couldn't we incorporate some sort of baloon into our rigs to take us up and then just release? I understand that we would be at the mercy of the wind on our ride up... but we could use some sort of guide wire for the first couple of hundred feet... right? Just a thought. ChapsCarpe diem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lolie 0 #24 November 6, 2003 QuoteWhat about some sort of really light gas? Why couldn't we incorporate some sort of baloon into our rigs to take us up and then just release? I understand that we would be at the mercy of the wind on our ride up... but we could use some sort of guide wire for the first couple of hundred feet... right? Like this? (Hope the link works, I'm retarded at this sort of thing.) -Miranda you shall above all things be glad and young / For if you're young,whatever life you wear it will become you;and if you are glad / whatever's living will yourself become. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #25 November 6, 2003 QuoteI've had an idea for awhile... What about some sort of really light gas? Why couldn't we incorporate some sort of baloon into our rigs to take us up and then just release? I understand that we would be at the mercy of the wind on our ride up... but we could use some sort of guide wire for the first couple of hundred feet... right? Hot air balloons take skydivers up all of the time. There was a thread a while back about whether a tethered balloon qualified a BASE jump or not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
