In 2006, the Swiss pilot Yves Rossy became the first and only man in the history of aviation to fly with a jet-propelled wing, and still is to this day.

For several decades, Yves Rossy has wanted to fly like a bird, with a minimum of instruments but with the ability to steer himself in space.

After prototypes of skysurf (1993-1998), wingsuit and inflatable wing (1999-2003), he had the idea to power a wing using model jet engines. The German company Jet-Cat supplied the engines which were initially attached to an inflatable wing. This method failed because of insufficient rigidity.

In 2004 Yves Rossy developed a rigid deployable 3m-span carbon wing. The early days were difficult but promising. The pilot worked on improving the wing deployment system and the aerodynamics of the wingtips to improve its stability.

Photos: Stéphane Marmier, André Bernet. Copyright © 2012 Jetman

In 2005, he completed two successful flights under a wing fitted with two jet engines A long year of hard work and the addition of two additional jet engines were needed for the wing to attain the required level of performance and safety. This prototype with 4 jet engines, guided only with the movements of his body, allows a stabilized ascension of the flight. This was the flight of November 2006, in Bex, a  dream lasting 5 minutes and 40 seconds.

Since then, Yves Rossy has been training constantly in order to optimise his wing. He increased the range of the wing in order to fly across the English Channel from Calais (France) to Dover (UK) in September 2008.

Yves is now working on a new prototype, smaller and more powerful, which will should allow the take-off from the ground and more freedom for aerobatics!

In May 2011, Jetman achieved a beautiful and memorable flight in the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA… and here’s the official souvenir video! Many thanks to all who were involved in that adventure!

Wing Statistics:

DIMENSIONS
Span 2 m
WEIGHT
With fuel and smoke 55 kg
Dry 30 kg
ENGINES
Type 4 Jet-Cat P200 of 22 kilograms thrust each, automatic start (25 second sequence)
Fuel type Mix of kerosene and 5% of turbine oil for lubrification
Fuel quantity 30 L.
PERFORMANCE
Speed
– Average 200 km/h
– At Ascent 180 km/h
– On Descent 300 km/h
Climb 330 m/min
Flight time 10 minutes
SAFETY FEATURES
Parachute Parachutes de France « Legend R »
Canopy PD Spectra 230
Harness Cut-away system with engine shut down and automatic opening of a rescue parachute for the wing

Copyright © 2012 Jetman

For more video and photos
visit official site of Yves Rossy (Jetman): http://www.jetman.com