Rocket Daredevil To Cross English Channel On Jet Pack!!!!!!!

by **J The Kidd** Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:46 pm

A Swiss pilot will defy death by attempting to become the first
person in history to fly across the channel with a home-made
jet-powered wing strapped to his back.

Weather permitting, Yves Rossy - also known as Jet Man - will step
out of a light plane more than 2,500 meters above Calais, France.

Relying entirely on his own body to steer, he will open his wing, flick
on his four tiny jets and rocket over the 22-mile sea stretch to Dover
in about 12 minutes at speeds of up to 187 miles per hour.

He will uses a motorcycle grip to control thrust.

If he successfully parachutes down on British soil, he will become the
first person in history to have carried out a solo, jet- propelled
flight from Dover to Calais, retracing the route – albeit at far higher
velocity - of French aviator Louis Bleriot, the first person to cross
the Channel in an aeroplane 99 years ago.

The 47-year old, whose day job is flying passengers for Swiss, the
national airline, has a carbon composite-wing carrying four
kerosene-burning jet turbines adapted from jets for model aircraft and
unmanned military drones.

In all, the contraption weighs 55 kilograms when loaded with fuel.

He has taken six years to develop his jet wing and has been practising
for months, giving a stunning aerodynamic display in May, when he
performed figure of eights high above the Alps.

As well as a crash helmet, he will wear a heat-proof suit resembling
those worn by Formula One drivers to protect him from the scorching
heat of the engines, whose temperature is kept from overheating by the
high wind and altitude.

His daring attempt can be watched live, as cameras have been installed into the launch plane and on a helicopter following him.

If all goes well, he hopes to create more powerful engines and a
lighter wing that will enable him to climb vertically like a fighter
jet and take off from the ground.

Although his current device is a prototype, he ultimately hopes to
market his Jet Man wing to flying enthusiasts at a similar price to a
microlight aircraft.