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22/08/2008
'Rocket Man' Completes Channel Trial Run
A Swiss daredevil has edged closer to his ambition of flying solo across the English Channel strapped to a jet-pack wing.
Yves Rossy successfully completed a crucial test flight yesterday after several failed attempts owing to electronic interference problems.
Rossy, dubbed 'Birdman', flew for 10 minutes over a distance of more than 21 miles which is the equivalent to Dover to Calais, France.
The stuntman jumped out of a plane at 2,300m with his wing strapped to his back and flew in a straight line to Villeneuve, from a height of 1,700m, before turning back to Bex airfield.
He then switched off the jet engines before deploying two parachutes at 1,500 and 1,200m.
In further credit to the brave 'Birdman', he steers his way by shifting his weight and moving his head.
Rossy, also known as Fusionman, said "everything went well, it was awesome, it's my longest flight with this wing".
He added "if there are no technical problems" it's "OK for the English Channel".
"I can't wait for this next challenge!" he exclaimed.
The 48-year-old Swiss is bidding to become the first person in history to carry out a solo, jet-propelled flight across the Channel.
Fusionman, as he likes to be called, will attempt the daring feat on 24 September, weather permitting.
The attempt is going to be streamed live on the National Geographic Channel.
Rossy is a pilot, inventor and aviation enthusiast. In 2006, he became the first person to fly a jet engine-powered wing strapped to his back.
He has served as a fighter pilot in the Swiss Air Force and flew Boeing 747s for Swissair and now works as an Airbus pilot for Swiss International Air Lines.
(DS)
Yves Rossy successfully completed a crucial test flight yesterday after several failed attempts owing to electronic interference problems.
Rossy, dubbed 'Birdman', flew for 10 minutes over a distance of more than 21 miles which is the equivalent to Dover to Calais, France.
The stuntman jumped out of a plane at 2,300m with his wing strapped to his back and flew in a straight line to Villeneuve, from a height of 1,700m, before turning back to Bex airfield.
He then switched off the jet engines before deploying two parachutes at 1,500 and 1,200m.
In further credit to the brave 'Birdman', he steers his way by shifting his weight and moving his head.
Rossy, also known as Fusionman, said "everything went well, it was awesome, it's my longest flight with this wing".
He added "if there are no technical problems" it's "OK for the English Channel".
"I can't wait for this next challenge!" he exclaimed.
The 48-year-old Swiss is bidding to become the first person in history to carry out a solo, jet-propelled flight across the Channel.
Fusionman, as he likes to be called, will attempt the daring feat on 24 September, weather permitting.
The attempt is going to be streamed live on the National Geographic Channel.
Rossy is a pilot, inventor and aviation enthusiast. In 2006, he became the first person to fly a jet engine-powered wing strapped to his back.
He has served as a fighter pilot in the Swiss Air Force and flew Boeing 747s for Swissair and now works as an Airbus pilot for Swiss International Air Lines.
(DS)
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25 September 2008
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Swiss pilot Yves Rossy will attempt to fly across the English channel using a single jet-propelled wing strapped to his back. The former military pilot intends to complete the 22 mile flight from Calais to Dover in 12 minutes.
'Fusionman' To Cross The English Channel
Swiss pilot Yves Rossy will attempt to fly across the English channel using a single jet-propelled wing strapped to his back. The former military pilot intends to complete the 22 mile flight from Calais to Dover in 12 minutes.
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14 April 2003
Education vision offers 'Teachers TV'
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
