'Fusion Man' jetpacks his way over the Channel

Monday, 29th September 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

Swiss pilot Yves Rossy has become the first person to cross the English Channel via jetpack showing that "it is possible to fly a little bit like a bird".

Rossy, who calls himself 'Fusion Man', usually flies a A320 Airbus for Swiss International airlines but can now claim to be the pilot of an eight-foot jet-propelled plank made from lightweight carbon composite.

The 49-year old launched himself out of an aircraft at 8,200 feet with 120 lb of fuel strapped to his back and crossed the 22 mile gap between Dover and Calais at a speed of 120mph. Igniting the kerosene-burning jet engines whilst still aboard the plane, Rossy enjoyed a period of freefall before opening the wing and heading for the British coast.

The flight had been postponed twice this week due to poor weather conditions but this time "everything was perfect".

He reached the white cliffs in an impressive 13 minutes, opening a parachute as they came into view and floating gently down on light winds to a safe landing in a field. In completing this flight, the Swiss adventurer follows in the footsteps of Louis Bleriot, the French aviator who first crossed the Channel by air in 1909.

And for his next trick, he hopes to master a James Bond-style take off from standing and intends to attempt a jetpack flight across the Grand Canyon.

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