I’m guessing it has gyroscopes to detect tipping, and then it automatically corrects. Otherwise, it would have to be impractically heavy to stay balanced with a dinosaur on top of it.
That said, the bigger problem is that it’s rising uncontrollably. Even if Tip could tip it to change the angle, the only way to stop it going up into the death zone would be to turn it such that the amount it’s pushing up is equal to the force of gravity pulling it down. Go even slightly too far and its thrust starts pushing it down, which is bad because the thrust is at least as strong as gravity and now they’re working together. The platform would plummet, probably going into a tailspin, throwing Tip off and crash-landing at well past terminal velocity.
(Disclaimer: not a physicist, just imagining what Randall Munroe would say if I asked him.)
Plummeting would not be the problem, he could lean it over until he lost enough lift to descend gradually with no problem. The problem would be landing, he’d be moving sideways at a pretty good clip, and if he tried to stop that and hover he’d just rise again. No way he could make a controlled landing. Maybe he could ditch in a body of water…
Tip knows how to use them; he used the platform to fly up to the roof (with a dinosaur passenger, even). But the controls (or something affecting the controls) were shot by the goons on the roof, and now they don’t work so good maybe.
Agreed. I’m sure that Tigerlily could come up with something in a jiffy to save Tip. She would also raz him about it, but at least she would do it in a way that she and Tip would both enjoy.
If Tip can’t mojo up a parachute, How about pair of parachute pants?
Those should work in the skin horse world, although Tip might rather die than
wear them.
He’s probably still learning those words as part of Korean in general in order to talk with Ginny’s family. Certain aspects of language have always fascinated him.
The swear filter interprets intent, rather than going by a specified list of words. I would assume that was nonverbal, rather than any real words in a different language.
What swear filter? Virginia disabled the swear filter when Nick was re-embodied.
Any lack of swearing from Nick is from some other reason(s).
The reason that makes the most sense to me is that Nick associates his swearing with being lonely, miserable, and immature, and now that he’s happily engaged to Virginia, and actually wants to act more mature, he’s deliberately swearing less.
He could probably mojo-port if he knew Tigerlily were waiting at the other end. But he’d have to have complete assurance and confidence that she was actually waiting there.
Tip’s got his very own chopper. His very own rescue airdropper. But a whole bunch of swears doesn’t show Nick much cares. So Tip might just come hard a-cropper.
Should’ve paid more attention during his few minutes in charge of jetpack suppression. He’d know he can steer by leaning.
I’m guessing it has gyroscopes to detect tipping, and then it automatically corrects. Otherwise, it would have to be impractically heavy to stay balanced with a dinosaur on top of it.
That said, the bigger problem is that it’s rising uncontrollably. Even if Tip could tip it to change the angle, the only way to stop it going up into the death zone would be to turn it such that the amount it’s pushing up is equal to the force of gravity pulling it down. Go even slightly too far and its thrust starts pushing it down, which is bad because the thrust is at least as strong as gravity and now they’re working together. The platform would plummet, probably going into a tailspin, throwing Tip off and crash-landing at well past terminal velocity.
(Disclaimer: not a physicist, just imagining what Randall Munroe would say if I asked him.)
Plummeting would not be the problem, he could lean it over until he lost enough lift to descend gradually with no problem. The problem would be landing, he’d be moving sideways at a pretty good clip, and if he tried to stop that and hover he’d just rise again. No way he could make a controlled landing. Maybe he could ditch in a body of water…
Presumably the device has controls, Tip just doesn’t know how to use them.
Tip knows how to use them; he used the platform to fly up to the roof (with a dinosaur passenger, even). But the controls (or something affecting the controls) were shot by the goons on the roof, and now they don’t work so good maybe.
Isn’t Tip… always Tipping?
#sorrynotsorry
[insert joke about Nick and circumcision here.]
He’ll fall off his platforms. Sheep plummet.
Haha Tipping!
Tip, if you wanted what Ira’s air support is giving him then you should have called Tigerlily instead! 😀
(Still shipping Engelbright and Ira! 🙂 ).
Agreed. I’m sure that Tigerlily could come up with something in a jiffy to save Tip. She would also raz him about it, but at least she would do it in a way that she and Tip would both enjoy.
If Tip can’t mojo up a parachute, How about pair of parachute pants?
Those should work in the skin horse world, although Tip might rather die than
wear them.
Y’know, they have other air support opitions. There’s Kay and Roger. There’s the Constitution.
I think all those are busy with the vast profusion of attack drones.
Rethinking Nick’s swear censor?
Victorian Era Tip would have enough petticoats to sew into a parachute.
It’s a pity that no-one thought of using actual Korean swears and insults instead of grawlix (growlix?) swear characters.
Or an amusing mix of Yiddish and and Korean, maybe.
He’s probably still learning those words as part of Korean in general in order to talk with Ginny’s family. Certain aspects of language have always fascinated him.
The swear filter interprets intent, rather than going by a specified list of words. I would assume that was nonverbal, rather than any real words in a different language.
What swear filter? Virginia disabled the swear filter when Nick was re-embodied.
Any lack of swearing from Nick is from some other reason(s).
The reason that makes the most sense to me is that Nick associates his swearing with being lonely, miserable, and immature, and now that he’s happily engaged to Virginia, and actually wants to act more mature, he’s deliberately swearing less.
Pork pork pork pork MUKLUK
I’ve got plenty to get rescued by.
I might not have a flying cage
That floats from low to high.
Still, I’ve got plenty to be rescued by.
I’ve got plenty to get rescued by.
No rescue flight, no Engelbright
Who comes in from the sky.
Still, I’ve got plenty to get rescued by.
He’s got arms to shoot with,
Phone to hear with,
Blades to spin with,
Mouth to swear with.
Someone who can fly.
How long till I will get rescued by?
My plight is bad, I’m getting sad,
All before I fall and die.
Oh, I’ve got plenty to get rescued by.
—from “I’ve Got Plenty to be Thankful For,” written by Irving Berlin
Why can’t he mojo-port?
He has nobody to mojo with
He could probably mojo-port if he knew Tigerlily were waiting at the other end. But he’d have to have complete assurance and confidence that she was actually waiting there.
Tip’s got his very own chopper. His very own rescue airdropper. But a whole bunch of swears doesn’t show Nick much cares. So Tip might just come hard a-cropper.
In Nick’s defense he’s a little busy just now.
He’s probably also in the middle of a battle.