fandomhigh | Popular Mechanics, Tuesday, May 26, 2015

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practical mechanics

Popular Mechanics, Tuesday, May 26, 2015

True to his word, Ben had constucted a 28-foot platform down by the docks for the mechanics students to launch their flying machines into the water from.

How much did you trust your own ability to fight gravity, kids? Because it's now or never.

In the spirit of fun, Ben had even constructed his own craft that looked like a big wheel bicycle--mostly because he'd felt like it.

"Right, we're going to help push each other's machines over the edge and see who's gets the furthest," Ben said with a grin. "Hope no one here melts if they get wet. As a reminder, all of your machines must be human-powered and can't be longer than 10m or heavier than 150 kg, including yourself."

He pointed to some squirrels chittering down at the bottom of the platform, waving digital cameras. "All of this will be filmed for posterity, so if you don't want the pictures getting out, take it up with them after your run. So...who's going first?"

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Ready to fling yourself off a very high platform!

Ronan Lynch

Cosima Niehaus

Thorin

They probably won't fly very far, but they'll look cool, right?

This class made some ridiculous things but it gave Ronan some time to work with his hands so he'd take it. He didn't think this thing would fly at all but it'd look decent falling.

Did this flying device need decorative pieces added to it? Nope.

Was this a running theme with Thorin? Yep.

Or fall with style. The squirrels will probably rate your landing.

Cosima made a simple hovercraft. It didn't fly far or stylishly, but it did fly. She counted that as a win.

That's what they're here for!

Ender showed up to meet Ben near the end of class, bearing two cups of coffee - and a baby. "How'd it go?"

Edited 2015-05-26 13:07 (UTC)

"Fell like a really amazing rock," Ben said, running his fingers through still-damp hair. "It was astral."

Ender offered him one of the coffees (which would help him free up at least one of his hands, because this was a lot to carry). "I'm thoroughly unsurprised you think so," he said fondly. (At least damp Ben looked attractive.) He glanced down at the baby. "Val, please, don't listen to your redheaded father about anything related to sensible mechanics."

"You should definitely listen to me," Ben said, taking the coffee and grinning at the baby. "Because we're gonna be buddies."

Valentine didn't really follow, but she let out a squeak and flailed a little.

"I'm not sure if that's a yes or a no," Ender admitted.

"It's a yes," Ben made up. "We have a connection."

"I don't know if Force powers actually work that way," Ender sighed, sipping his own coffee. "I should've brought a towel."

But he was already overpacked, since he was also carrying some of Val's stuff in a backpack.

"It's amazing that the 'fall from a thity foot drop for fun' hobby isn't more popular," Ben mused.

"Well it might be the thirty foot drop part," Barry said with a grin.

"Wimps," Ben said, grinning back. "This is fun!"

"Exactly," Barry agreed. "What are we doing for next week? I'm thinking base jumping."

"Oooh," Ben said, grinning. "Maybe testing landing gear?"

"It seems like a logical continuation from testing flying machines," Barry agreed.

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Sign in 5/26

Re: Sign in 5/26

Re: Sign in 5/26

Re: Sign in 5/26

Finishing touches on your aircraft!

Re: Finishing touches on your aircraft!

Re: Finishing touches on your aircraft!

Fly my pretties!

Re: Fly my pretties!

Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

OOC