The Human Thrust Equation

Embarking on a journey through the annals of human discovery, one is struck by the profound realization that every breakthrough, every flash of insight, has always lingered in the shadows, patiently awaiting its moment in the sun. These discoveries, whether forged in the crucible of a laboratory, unearthed from the depths of the crust, or conjured from the complex realms of mathematics, have existed long before they were brought into the light by the intrepid souls we hail as pioneers.

Consider, if you will, the humble gold nugget, nestled within the embrace of the riverbank, its existence unnoticed yet undeniable. It remained a secret treasure until the day a determined gold panner, with nothing but a pan and a vision, swept across the river's edge. With a simple, yet transformative action, what was once concealed within the earth was brought forth into the realm of discovery, altering its fate from an unseen wonder to a coveted treasure.

This tale unfolds around a man and a singularly enigmatic variable: the Lift Coefficient. This concept, so fundamental yet so elusive, has hovered at the edge of human comprehension throughout our shared history. Its persistent obscurity and the mystery surrounding its untapped potential have haunted me, compelling me to delve deeper into the narratives and bring this lost story to light.

However, this is not just a story. It is an odyssey that charts the indomitable spirit of human curiosity and our relentless pursuit of the unknown. Through the lens of this journey, we explore the essence of innovation and the unyielding drive that propels us beyond the bounds of the conceivable, into the vast expanse of the possible. Join me as we uncover the hidden dimensions of discovery and celebrate the relentless pursuit of knowledge that defines the human experience.

Before I take you into the weeds with the nitty-gritty of symbols, equations, and charts, we must start at the beginning.

So, let's begin.

A Spark of Flight

Stewart McHonen, born in the bustling city of Lyon, France, in 1698, was always fascinated by the mechanics of flight. His dad, a gifted yet humble watchmaker, raised Stewart. His father's workshop was filled with tools, gadgets, and books on various subjects, including a few on the early theories of flight and aerodynamics. Among these, Stewart found tales of Leonardo da Vinci's flying machines, which sparked his imagination and set the course for his future ambitions. Though the understanding of aerodynamics were rudimentary at the time, as a child, he watched birds soar and wondered why humans couldn't do the same. 

Stewart’s father, with being a watchmaker with a penchant for precision, encouraged his son’s curiosity, teaching him that even the most complex mechanisms begin with a simple idea.

As Stewart grew older, his interest in flight and mechanics evolved into a passion for understanding the natural world and the principles that govern it. Despite his unconventional ideas and dreams, Stewart knew that to make a significant contribution to the field of flight, he would need a formal education in the sciences. This realization led him to the University of Grenoble, known for its strong programs in physics, engineering, and mathematics. Stewart's decision to attend college was driven by his desire to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to turn his dream of human flight into a reality.

Field of Study

At the University of Grenoble, Stewart chose to major in Aeronautical Engineering with a minor in Physics. This combination allowed him to immerse himself in the study of forces, motion, and the principles of aerodynamics, as well as to explore the broader physical laws that govern the universe. Aeronautical Engineering provided him with a solid foundation in the design and analysis of flying machines, while Physics offered insights into the fundamental behaviors of matter and energy, critical for understanding the potential for human flight.

Stewart's coursework was rigorous, involving complex mathematics, fluid dynamics, materials science, and thermodynamics. He excelled in his studies, often going beyond the curriculum to explore topics that intrigued him, such as the aerodynamics of bird flight and the history of attempts at flight. His minor in Physics led him to delve into topics like wind patterns, air pressure, and the effects of altitude on the human body—knowledge that would later prove invaluable in his experiments.

The Moment of Lift

On a crisp autumn evening in 1721, Stewart McHonen was walking back to his lodgings after a long day of lectures at the University. The air was fresh with the scent of fallen leaves, and the sun had just dipped below the horizon, casting a beautiful array of colors across the sky. As Stewart stretched his arms, yearning for the brief respite after hours of study, a sudden and unexpected gust of wind swept through the valley.

This was no ordinary breeze; it was a powerful, swirling vortex that seemed to converge on Stewart from all directions. As he extended his arms, they caught the wind just so, creating a unique aerodynamic effect. For a fleeting moment, Stewart felt his feet lift off the ground, propelling him upwards by three to four feet. This sensation lasted for approximately four seconds, an eternity in the moment, before he gently landed back on the path.

Scientific Curiosity Ignited

This serendipitous event ignited a fire within Stewart. He was bewildered and exhilarated by the experience. The physical sensation of lift, coupled with the sheer improbability of the event, drove him to understand the mechanics behind what had happened. Stewart knew the principles of lift and aerodynamics applied to aircraft, but the idea that the human body could interact with the wind in such a manner was revolutionary.

In the days following, Stewart became consumed with the study of aerodynamic forces, particularly as they applied to the human body. He pondered the angle of his arms, the positioning of his hands, and the speed and direction of the wind that evening. Stewart began to theorize that under the right conditions, with precise control over body posture and in the presence of specific atmospheric phenomena, human flight might not be an impossibility after all. He named this perfect body position The Sweet Spot.

The Intersection of Science and Fate

Stewart's experience with the gust of wind was more than just a physical anomaly; it was a moment of convergence between the realms of science and fate. It challenged the conventional boundaries of human capabilities and scientific understanding. Stewart was driven not just by the desire to replicate the phenomenon, but by a deeper quest to explore the limits of human potential.

He began to document and analyze weather patterns, studying the aerodynamics of various body positions and the potential for lift, searching for The Sweet Spot. He experimented with models and conducted preliminary tests in controlled environments, trying to recreate the conditions of that fateful evening. This meticulous approach laid the groundwork for what would later become "Natural Flight Mathematics," a new branch of study that sought to harness the natural forces of the earth to achieve human flight.

Foundations of Natural Flight Mathematics

Conceptual Framework

Natural Flight Mathematics builds on the premise that under specific conditions, the human body can achieve lift and sustained flight without mechanical assistance. It integrates principles from aerodynamics, specifically lift and drag, with human anatomy and environmental conditions to create a theoretical framework for human flight.

Key Equations and Concepts

In Stewart's theory, the lift coefficient is maximized through precise body positioning, termed The Sweet Spot, where the arms and torso create an optimal aerodynamic shape, similar to wings.

Application and Limitations

Simply put, by maximizing lift and efficient thrust while minimizing drag, a human could theoretically achieve short bursts of flight. This would likely involve running at high speeds in optimal environmental conditions (e.g., strong headwinds), jumping from elevated positions, and adopting a body posture that maximizes lift while minimizing drag, such as where The Sweet Spot comes into play.

The Swiss Alps Experiments

Choosing the Swiss Alps for their unique atmospheric conditions, Stewart embarked on a series of experiments that were as much about human endurance and the limits of the human body as they were about flight. He meticulously documented the effects of altitude, wind speed, body position, and muscle strength, drawing on local folklore and the expertise of mountaineers to refine his techniques.

The Flight Seen Around the World

Commonly referred to as “the flight seen around the world” this flight gained wide-spread local attention, not only because of the distance covered but also because of the physical and mental preparation Stewart underwent. He practiced meditation and breathing techniques borrowed from the mountaineers to control his body’s reactions to high altitudes and low temperatures. The Sweet Spot was not just a physical posture but a state of mind that Stewart believed was crucial for achieving flight, a state of mind that could not be represented in Natural Flight Mathematics at the time.

With a crowd of friends, family, local media, and critics, on October 27, 1724. Stewart positioned himself on test hill F at 9:22. With all eyes on him, mostly critical, he ran full speed and lept off the hill. To the crowds disbelief, he was able to fly over 412 meters before hard-landing on the ground. He believed he finally cracked the code to consistently hit The Sweet Spot with his arm and hand position. The flight, however, raised controversy as some non-believers in the crowd claimed to see “ropes pulling from the sky” and called it merely a trick of smoke and mirrors, more of a circus act rather than a scientific revelation.

The Hidden Golden Nugget

To prove the doubters and non-believers wrong, Stewart knew for his next flight he needs to transcend past what any human has done before. He aimed to transcend the boundaries of human capabilities and touch the realm of the divine. The crowd gathered on that fateful day witnessed not just a scientific test but a spectacle that challenged their understanding of reality. Stewart's preparation for this flight included fasting and isolation, seeking to purify his body and mind for the ultimate test of his theories. He was confident in himself in mastering The Sweet Spot with his arm and hand position, and was determined to break all that humans knew about achieving flight.

Over a year after his first public flight, he announced that March 3rd, 1725 would be the day he will conduct his next flight and sustain human flight. Meanwhile, word has spread, and the next flight gained world-stage attention. While some heard the news and were instilled with hope, most wanted Stewart to fail due to his contraction of modern science. 

The “Ascension into Heaven”

On the morning of March 3, the crowd was large. Scientists, Friends, Family, Critics, Journalists, and even represetaion of the Roman Catholic church was present.

With watchful eyes, Stewart conducted his flight at 10:30. The conditions were prime. Like before, Stewart sprinted full force towards the edge of the hill, leaping into the morning sun. While airborne with a tailwind behind, he positioned his arms and hands into what he believed to be definitively The Sweet Spot.

As Stewart McHonen launched himself from the crest of Test Hill D, the air itself seemed to pause, as if nature itself held its breath in anticipation. The crowd, a mix of skeptics and believers, watched in silent awe as Stewart, embodying the very essence of hope and defiance, melded with the wind. His body, perfected through years of relentless training and study, caught the tailwind with the precision of a master craftsman aligning the final piece of a puzzle. In that moment, Stewart was not merely a man but a symbol of human ambition soaring towards the unknown.

His ascent was swift, his form blurring into the brightness of the morning sun. Witnesses later recounted how Stewart, with his arms and hands locked in The Sweet Spot, seemed to command the air around him, merging science and spirit in a dance as old as Icarus yet as groundbreaking as the Wright brothers' first flight. His trajectory took him higher and further than any had anticipated, his figure cutting through the clouds, leaving a wake of stunned silence below.

Higher he went towards the clouds, until the crowd had to squint their eyes to see him. Eventually, he was merely a black dot in the cloudy morning sky.

As Stewart pierced the cloud cover, the last glimpses of him showed a man transformed. Bathed in sunlight, surrounded by the ethereal mist of the clouds, he appeared not as flesh and blood but as a being of light and air. To the onlookers below, it was as if Stewart had transcended the mortal plane, reaching towards something greater. In those final moments before he vanished from sight, Stewart McHonen was no longer just a scientist or an adventurer; he was the embodiment of human aspiration, reaching for the divine.

And then, he was gone. The clouds closed behind him like the doors to another realm, leaving no trace of his passage. The crowd, spellbound and silent, remained still for long moments, grappling with the magnitude of what they had witnessed. Had Stewart succeeded in his ultimate test, or had he sacrificed himself in pursuit of a dream? The question hung in the air, unanswered.

Stewart McHonen was never seen again.

Search parties scoured the area and beyond, but no sign of him was ever found.

His disappearance became legend, a tale of a man who flew into the heavens and into the annals of history. To some, he was a martyr to the cause of science and exploration; to others, a cautionary tale of hubris. Yet, to many, Stewart remained a symbol of the indomitable human spirit, a reminder that to reach for the impossible is, perhaps, the most profound expression of what it means to be human. Some say that was the day he flew into Heaven to meet God as he was The Chosen One.

In the years that followed, Stewart's theories and experiments were studied, debated, and mythologized. His final flight became a beacon of inspiration for those who dared to dream. And though the mystery of his fate lingered, one thing was clear: Stewart McHonen, in his quest to touch the realm of the divine, had achieved immortality not through his disappearance into the clouds but through the enduring legacy of his courage, his vision, and his unwavering belief in the boundless potential of the human spirit.

Legacy and Mystique

However, after his disappearance the Roman Catholic Church's response played a pivotal role in knocking his legacy. The Church, who had representatives at that fabled final flight, grappling with the implications of Stewart's “godlike” ascent, embarked on a concerted effort to obscure his achievements and mitigate his influence on the collective consciousness of the era. This campaign, rooted in the fear of his story challenging established doctrines and the divine hierarchy, contributed significantly to the silence that enveloped his name in history.

 The Silence Strategy

Instead of outright denunciation or public controversy, the Church opted for a strategy of silence and suppression. By minimizing the spread of Stewart's story and ensuring it did not gain canonical status in popular lore or scientific circles, the Church aimed to prevent Stewart from becoming a symbol of human overreach into divine domains.

1. Suppressing Documentation: The Church exerted influence to restrict access to and publication of any scientific papers, personal journals, or eyewitness accounts that detailed Stewart's experiments and theories on human flight. This ensured that credible sources of information on his work were scarce, limiting academic discussion and public fascination.

2. Discrediting Through Silence: By choosing not to engage publicly with Stewart's story, the Church avoided giving it additional legitimacy or attention. This lack of engagement from such a powerful institution contributed to a general ambivalence towards Stewart's achievements, casting them into the shadows of anecdotal curiosity and myth rather than spotlighting them as milestones of human ingenuity.

3. Encouraging Alternative Narratives: The Church subtly promoted stories and achievements that aligned with its views on human endeavor and divine providence. By focusing public attention on tales that reinforced the separation of the human and the divine, the Church diluted the impact of Stewart's narrative, making it one among many rather than a singular challenge to ecclesiastical authority.

The Effect on Public Memory

Over the decades, the combination of these strategies effectively muffled the story of Stewart McHonen. As generations passed, the absence of substantial records, the lack of institutional acknowledgment, and the Church's quiet campaign of omission led to a gradual fading of Stewart's story from public memory and academic discourse. What remained were fragments of legend, too insubstantial to withstand the erosion of time.

 The Modern Perspective

Today, the story of Stewart McHonen and his attempt to breach the heavens serves as a fascinating what-if in the annals of human achievement. The Church's efforts to suppress his story, while successful in the short term, have ironically contributed to the mystique surrounding his name. In an age where the boundaries between science and spirituality are increasingly explored and challenged, Stewart's story finds new relevance.

Historians and enthusiasts, armed with the tools of digital archiving and a global network of collaborative research, have begun to piece together the fragments of Stewart's legacy. In this renewed interest lies the potential for Stewart McHonen to be rediscovered, not just as a footnote in the history of flight, but as a symbol of the eternal human quest to reach beyond our grasp, to touch the divine, and to forever leave our mark on the unyielding fabric of history.

Urban Legends and Sightings

Sightings of Stewart McHonen are reported every year. Particularly those of people claiming to still see him flying high in the sky on clear, sunny days, serve as a testament to his enduring legacy and the human fascination with the unexplained. These tales, emerging in the years and decades following his disappearance, have woven Stewart into the fabric of local folklore and international mystique, keeping his memory alive in a way that facts and records could not. The name High Flyin’ Stewie has been used as a modern slang for his sightings. 

The Sightings

The stories vary in detail but share a common thread: on certain clear, sunny days, when the light hits the sky just so, some claim to see a figure soaring gracefully above. These sightings are reported from various parts of the world, often in regions known for their clear skies and conducive atmospheric conditions for gliding or flying, such as the Swiss Alps where Stewart conducted his experiments, or remote areas in the French countryside, echoing back to his origins.

Witnesses describe seeing a silhouette that defies the typical appearance of modern aircraft, moving with a fluidity and grace that suggest a human form. Some reports even detail the figure performing maneuvers no known aircraft could achieve, lending a supernatural aura to these sightings.

The Meaning Behind the Legends

To many, these sightings represent more than just an unresolved mystery; they symbolize the indomitable spirit of human ambition and the desire to reach beyond our limits. Stewart McHonen becomes a figure of inspiration, embodying the dream of conquering the sky.

The urban legends have evolved into a cultural phenomenon, blending the lines between myth and history. They serve as a collective narrative that speaks to our fascination with flight and the possibility of transcending human boundaries.

For some, the legends spark scientific curiosity, prompting discussions about the possibilities of human flight and the exploration of unknown technologies or phenomena. Skeptics and believers alike delve into the tales, seeking explanations or simply marveling at the enduring mystery.

Impact on Society

The urban legends of Stewart McHonen have inspired various forms of expression, from literature and film to art and music, each interpreting his mythical flight in unique ways. They provoke questions about what it means to pursue the impossible and the cost of such pursuits.

In educational settings, Stewart's story, embellished with these legends, serves as a catalyst for discussions on the history of aviation, the nature of scientific inquiry, and the intersection of myth and science.

Conclusion

While no concrete evidence has ever surfaced to validate these sightings, the legends of Stewart McHonen flying high in the sky persist, a fittingly ethereal legacy for a man who dared to dream of human flight. Whether seen as a cautionary tale of hubris or a beacon of human aspiration, the stories ensure that Stewart's name continues to be whispered whenever eyes turn skyward, searching the endless blue for a glimpse of the impossible.