flyingimam
09-26-2008, 04:06 PM
"Fusion Man" makes historic Channel flight
Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:16am EDT
LONDON (Reuters) - Swiss airline pilot Yves Rossy became the first person to fly between France and England on Friday with a jetpack strapped to his back.
The pilot, who normally flies an Airbus airliner, swapped the plane's controls for four jets attached to a wing on his back to get across the Channel.
The simple kerosene-burning jet turbines propelled him the 22 miles between Calais and Dover at speeds of up to 120 mph. The journey took just under 10 minutes.
The 49-year-old Rossy, who calls himself "Fusion Man," ignited the jets inside a plane before jumping out more than 8,000 feet above ground.
After a period of free fall he opened the wing and soared across the water. With no steering controls, the only way to change direction was like a bird, moving his head and back.
When he reached Britain, he released his parachute and drifted down gently before landing in a field.
Rossy traced the route of French aviator Louis Bleriot, who became the first person to fly across the Channel in an aircraft in 1909.
He usually flies a Swiss International A320 Airbus between Zurich and Heathrow and took at least five years to develop the jet-propelled device.
The wing, which spans eight feet, is made of lightweight carbon composite and weighs about 55 kg (120 lb) including fuel.
He postponed the flight for a day due to poor weather and wore a flameproof suit to help him withstand the jet exhaust around his legs.
A helicopter accompanied him during the journey.
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man, my childhood sci-fi dreams are coming true one by one... im just luv'n it!
thats why i believe "nothing is impossible" :thumbsup:
Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:16am EDT
LONDON (Reuters) - Swiss airline pilot Yves Rossy became the first person to fly between France and England on Friday with a jetpack strapped to his back.
The pilot, who normally flies an Airbus airliner, swapped the plane's controls for four jets attached to a wing on his back to get across the Channel.
The simple kerosene-burning jet turbines propelled him the 22 miles between Calais and Dover at speeds of up to 120 mph. The journey took just under 10 minutes.
The 49-year-old Rossy, who calls himself "Fusion Man," ignited the jets inside a plane before jumping out more than 8,000 feet above ground.
After a period of free fall he opened the wing and soared across the water. With no steering controls, the only way to change direction was like a bird, moving his head and back.
When he reached Britain, he released his parachute and drifted down gently before landing in a field.
Rossy traced the route of French aviator Louis Bleriot, who became the first person to fly across the Channel in an aircraft in 1909.
He usually flies a Swiss International A320 Airbus between Zurich and Heathrow and took at least five years to develop the jet-propelled device.
The wing, which spans eight feet, is made of lightweight carbon composite and weighs about 55 kg (120 lb) including fuel.
He postponed the flight for a day due to poor weather and wore a flameproof suit to help him withstand the jet exhaust around his legs.
A helicopter accompanied him during the journey.
----------------------------
man, my childhood sci-fi dreams are coming true one by one... im just luv'n it!
thats why i believe "nothing is impossible" :thumbsup: