Jet Man crosses the English Channel

In a previous post I highlighted the exciting birdlike flight by JetMan/FusionMan Yves Rossy.

  


Now, the adventurer has become the first person to fly across the English Channel using a personal rocket wing. With his four kerosene-powered jets mounted on a carbon fiber wing, Rossy completed the 22-mile (35-km) trip from Calais, France to Dover, UK in less than 8 minutes (5 powered, 3 parachute to ground), which seems to be a record for personal powered trips across the channel. In Rossy's own words,

I have proved it is possible to fly like a bird. My aim (was) to realize the dream. You have an idea in your head, and to actually achieve it is the most gratifying thing you can do.


National Geographic broadcasted the historic flight live from two aircraft and helicopters. You can learn more about it from their website or watch the video below:



You can see an AP news story and many photos documenting the achievement here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080926/od_afp/franceswitzerlandbritainaviationoffbeat_080926164149

What's next in store for the flying jet man? He says he wants to build more rocket wings and do team formation flying. Stay tuned...

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