DOVER, England UK — A Swiss daredevil crossed the English Channel strapped to a homemade jet-propelled wing Friday, parachuting into a field near the white cliffs of Dover after a 10-minute solo flight.

Yves Rossy leapt from a plane at more than 8,800 feet, fired up his jets and made the 22-mile trip from Calais in France. Rossy passed over a thin strip of land in front of South Foreland lighthouse, looped over onlookers and opened his parachute, his wings still strapped to his back.

VIDEO: A Swiss pilot becomes the first person to fly solo across the English Channel with a jet pack.

"It was perfect. Blue sky, sunny, no clouds, perfect conditions," he said. "We prepared everything and it was great."

The trip across the Channel is meant to trace the route of French aviator Louis Bleriot, the first person to cross in an airplane 99 years ago.

The lighthouse was the site of Guglielmo Marconi's experiments with radio telegraphy in 1898. Bleriot used the white building as a target during his pioneering flight, the building's manager, Simon Ovenden, said.

Several hundred spectators rushed to greet the pilot, trying to take photographs with cameras and cell phones.

"It's a remarkable achievement, we saw the climax of his attempt as he came down to earth with his parachute. It's been an exciting afternoon," said Geoff Clark, a 54-year-old onlooker from Chatham, in Kent.

The carbon composite-wing weighs about 121 pounds when loaded with fuel, and carried four kerosene-burning jet turbines that kept him aloft. The wing had no steering devices — Rossy moved his body to control its movements.

He wore a heat-resistant suit similar to that worn by firefighters and racing drivers to protect him from the heat of the turbines. The cooling effect of the wind and high altitude also prevented him from getting too hot.

Mark Dale, the senior technical officer for the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, described Rossy's flight as a "fabulous stunt."

Copyright © 2008, The Associated Press.

09-26-2008 03:01 PM  #1
Chrisn Certified Level Four   Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 29	Re: Article: Swiss man flies over English Channel on jet wing I had the opportunity to watch this live, but ended up forgetting all about it. bummer

09-27-2008 05:30 AM  #2
agrippo Certified Level Three   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 131	Re: Article: Swiss man flies over English Channel on jet wing BIG nuts...

09-27-2008 06:15 AM  #3
BobbyB Hangar 11   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 16	Re: Article: Swiss man flies over English Channel on jet wing Agreed, we are talking "watermelon size" here.... I had the opportunity to watch live and the watch a full rerun... I have seen him test fly this before... we are talking 11+ out of 10 on the "Kool" meter. surprizingly small wing considering what we are used to seeing lift a person..I'm guessing 6-8 ft span withthe tips deployed??? . They put the wing in the plane...A Pilates they take off , he straps on the wing, they start the turbines IN the plane [ door open > he jumps out... deploys unfolding wingtips and sets up in cruise mode for the clifffs of Dover.... shuts downs engines over the landing site and deploys a chute... lands safely. NOTE The jump plane pulled out ahead of him and he used it for navigation to his landing site. James Bond is jealous, this guy has a "toy" he hasn't got.... Q get back to work.... Quote: BIG nuts...

09-27-2008 11:20 AM  #4
Juerg Certified Level Three   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 265	Re: Article: Swiss man flies over English Channel on jet wing Here is Yves Rossy's homepage, for reference: http://www.jet-man.com Youtube will return some videos when searching for Yves Rossy as well... Cool achievement! Juerg

09-28-2008 01:42 AM  #5
Snoman New Member   Joined: May 2007 Posts: 8	Re: Article: Swiss man flies over English Channel on jet wing Wow !!!!!!!!!!!! Talk about hair brain ideas Looks like he had fun I hope his insurance agent was out of town Whats next a two seater I hope with cocktails and peanuts Snoman

10-03-2008 01:22 PM  #6
R2K Certified Level Three   Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 273	Re: Article: Swiss man flies over English Channel on jet wing I would have liked to see him land it on a runway... Roller blades?

10-05-2008 09:14 AM  #7
DAllen Certified Level Two   Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 51	Re: Article: Swiss man flies over English Channel on jet wing There you go.