Jim Yanik wrote:

(John Clear) wrote in
John Doe wrote:

How far-fetched is the idea, to use a propeller or jet engine
(radio controlled type?) to push an in-line skater? How does
aircraft takeoff thrust compare to using a conventional motor
and wheel to push oneself along the ground? What sort of
incline would be achievable at say a skater weight of about
160 pounds? I think the rolling resistance can be assumed to
be zero or maybe the same as a small aircraft.

Years ago (maybe late 1990s) one of those 'whacky invention'
type TV shows featured a guy with jet engines mounted on the
tails of his skis. No need for a chair lift, he'd just ski
uphill.

So it has been done, just make sure your life insurance is paid
up.

how did he -not- fall on his behind? get on some skates,tie a
rope to your ankles,and have someone tow you,and see if you can
stay upright. You need the center of pressure to be in the
center of your mass.

Ideally, Yes. Also, putting a motor on skates weighs it down and
destroys most of the quality of skating. However, I have put a
motor on my skates, powering the center two wheels on one skate,
and it worked very well propulsion wise. The problem was with the
weight and the motor being too close to the ground.