>Having being denied an exit visa, Mr Zdarsky decided to take matters into his own hands and built his own plane; a hang glider with an engine from a car.
> On August 1984, he set off at 3am and made good his escape to Vienna where he requested political asylum.
That's one of the most impressive achievements I've ever heard in my life time. It's like I've just read RMS' portfolio again. That's a huge stunt, probably done on a budget, and it worked!
Another person did the same thing in East Germany a few years later, which is possibly even more impressive (as the security was likely much higher there):
I saw a documentary about it on TV last year, although I can't remember what channel, and nothing relevant seems to come up on youtube.
Fascinating people! It would be interesting to drop in on Ivo and have a chat with him, although it would probably be good to get PPR first so he doesn't try and shoot the plane down (and bush-tires might be a good idea, unless you know the runway condition).
yeah, those were some properly fed times back home. people were shot on the borders, electrocuted on wires, blown up by landmines and killed by border dogs. my father used to do hang gliders back then, and told me about the failed attempt to escape that had guy falling down, but down in half by opened garage doors (i think after some shooting aimed at him). Another ones trying to cross border river in winter by swimming, putting thick layer of fat on their bodies, and only 1 out of 2 making it on the other side.
this is how Russian mentality sees 'helping out' to their friends. anytime I hear anything seemingly nice from Putin (or anybody from east), these memories put things in perspective.
> On August 1984, he set off at 3am and made good his escape to Vienna where he requested political asylum.
That's one of the most impressive achievements I've ever heard in my life time. It's like I've just read RMS' portfolio again. That's a huge stunt, probably done on a budget, and it worked!