Flying a Jetpack Over the Channel

Swiss pilot Yves Rossy of Switzerland (previously at Neatorama) flew 22 miles over the English Channel from Calais to Dover today, wearing a jet-propelled wing! The entire trip, which had been postponed twice, took only ten minutes on.

The 49-year-old flew on a plane to more than 8,200ft (2,500m), ignited jets on a wing on his back, and jumped out.

Mr Rossy had hoped to reach speeds of 125mph.

It felt "great, really great", said Mr Rossy: "I only have one word, thank you, to all the people who did it with me."

The stunt was broadcast live on the National Geographic Channel. Link -Thanks, Andy!

(image credit: AFP/Getty)

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Buzz Lightyear nothing, he looks like Ace McCloud of the Centurions.

Power EXTREME!!

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I was also expecting him to actually take off and land as well. I guess that would require him to have a more powerful jet system.

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Ray is right. If it's not a flight from take-off to landing , it seems like cheating

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From his starting height and distance travelled, he had a glide ratio of 14:1. Almost any plane (ultralight, Cessna, big jet) can glide better (power off). His power-off glide ratio would be likely lower, but still, (like Him said) the jet mostly provides just speed.