"Fusion Man" makes historic Channel flight

"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:

INSANITY! :eek: But whatever floats your boat......:)

lets see, im predicting this thing to become increasingly popular if some1 mass produces it and they make operating regulations for it.

I'll be enjoying my "high" ride in cold breeze up there everyday to and from school :D and time will be saved like u have never seen b4.

they just gotta find a way to regulate that kind of traffic lol, we'll have control towers like we have cell phone ones one day!

btw there is already a flying car pending approval for operation from FFA