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- Name: Yves Rossy
- Known as "Fusionman" or "Rocket Man"FoxNews.com: "Rocket Man" Soars Across English Channel
- First man to ever to fly with jet-powered wingsAFP: Swiss 'FusionMan' plans to fly across the Channel (September 18, 2008)
- Crossed the English Channel in his homemade rocket device in 13 minutesFoxNews.com: "Rocket Man" Soars Across English Channel
- Wears a 120lb. heat-resistant suit during flights; jet-powered wings have a span of about 10 feetAFP: Swiss 'FusionMan' plans to fly across the Channel (September 18, 2008)
- Works as Airbus pilot for Swiss International Air Lines; is a former pilot for Swissair
- Hopes to someday fly through the Grand Canyon
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On May 14, 2008 Swiss pilot Yves Rossy gave his first public demonstration of a jet-fuel powered wing he's been developing for the past five years, flying over the Swiss Alps at speeds of more than 180 miles per hour.FoxNews.com: "Rocket Man" Soars Across English Channel
On September 26, 2008, Rossi made a 22-mile flight across the English Channel wearing his homemade device. The stunt was originally scheduled for September 25, but was canceled due to bad weather.BBC News: Pilot Postpones Jetpack Adventure (September 25, 2008) FoxNews.com: "Rocket Man" Soars Across English Channel
First Public Demonstration
In May 2008, Yves Rossy jumped from a plane at 7,500 feet and began flying through the skies. With the homemade wing strapped to his back, the 48-year-old Rossy soared over the Swiss Alps, at one point reaching speeds of over 180 miles per hour, before parachuting safely to the ground.BBC News: Pilot Postpones Jetpack Adventure (September 25, 2008) FOXNews.com: Swiss 'Fusion Man' Flies Over the Alps With Jet-Propelled...Yves Rossy Quotes
- "I had tried sky-surfing, but that didn't last long enough either, so I decided to create my own wings to enable me to fly for longer."Daily Mail: Flying Like a Bird at 5,000ft, the Winged Wonder (December 30, 2006)
- "Happiness, an extraordinary sense of fullness to have once again been able to fly and mostly to show it, because it's one thing to do it on one's own, but to be able to share it live like today, that's extraordinary."Guardian Unlimited: Rocket Man Flies Into Record Books at 180mph (May 15, 2008)
- "Physically, it's absolutely no stress. It's like being on a motorbike."FOXNews.com: Swiss 'Fusion Man' Flies Over the Alps With Jet-Propelled...
