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Exclusive: I followed behind jetman in a plane
The moth-like silhouette of Swiss daredevil Yves Rossy appeared over Dover at 1.15 yesterday less than ten minutes after jumping out of a light aeroplane over Calais, making history as the first jet-propelled human crossing of the Channel.
Any scepticism about Rossy's journey was dispelled as he soared over the white cliffs at more than 100mph powered by four jets on his homemade wing.
At first he was little more than a speck against a cloudless sky, surrounded by a pair of yellow helicopters and the Pilatus Porter plane from which he began his record-setting attempt.
The shape of his wings soon became visible and he soared upwards in a final manoeuvre as he prepared to cut his engines.
The Swiss pilot seemed to disappear for a moment before the blue and white parachute deployed, delivering him gently to earth.
The tail wind meant that he landed hundreds of metres away from the intended drop zone in a ploughed field, but within seconds he was visible, standing and unharmed, prompting cheers from onlookers.
Ecstatic colleagues raced across the field to hear him shout: "Thank you."
He raised his arms triumphantly as the smell of hot metal and fumes from the remains of his kerosene fuel filled the air.
"It's like I am in a second world," he said. "It is a mix of reality and dreams. I am flying with a wing and just a turn of my head."
Mr Rossy's only instruments on his wing were a throttle and a rip cord to abandon the wing should anything go wrong.
"It was the perfect flight, as planned. It was a mixture of being euphoric and concentrated,” he added.
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What?! Ron Obvious didn't do this first? Luigi Vercotti has some explaining to do!
T. J. Cassidy, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A.
What a tripper!! Well done M. Rossy.
Elwood Davis, Calgary, CANADA
What about passport control?
Paul, Wassenaar, The Netherlands
Absolutely fantastic! With typical Swiss precision he's just jetted himself into the annals of history's great pioneers, and I've no doubt that he's also just started something huge here in terms of personal travel..!
Congratulations and well done Yves Rossy..!
Simon Brock, Hong Kong,
Excellent, well done !
Need to reset your sights and go supersonic !
victor, crewe, cheshire
Is this the beginning of the end for Eurostar?
Richard, Reading, UK
what a star - a completely pointless exercise but it still makes me happy to see him succeed.
Joe
Joe, Kiev, Ukraine
Gotta have one - how much?
ben trovato , cape town ,
I am so excited that he has made the crossing, not only is it a great personal achievement but it is one step closer to the wings becoming available to the public!
Congratulations!
Ross, London,
Brilliant! Well Done Yves Rossy!!
Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK
Once again, the Swiss rule the waves
Steve, Cambridge, UK
Congratulations to the guy. This is the kind of thing you dream about doing as a kid. Now could someone please deport him for entering the country illegally. lol
Bisa Amo-Gottfried, Purley,
mr rocketman, you are cool.
Angus , London,
David Blaine take note, this is real achievement
Chris Best, Kettering , UK
TO INFINITY AND BEYOOOOOOOND!!!! Oh come on, someone had to say it!!!
Stiina, Yorkshire,
Nice stunt. But why???????????
Bruce L. Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA
The man is extremely intelligent, not your average dare-devil.
He is a commercial airline pilot also.
I like to think of him as a modern day Chuck Yeager / Wright Brothers. I hope Wilbur and Orville are looking down from above and smiling.
David Amos, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
What a tremendous thing Yves has done. It is always a joy to watch someone who knows what they are about succeed.
Robert M, Savannah, U.S.
richard davies, your a funny man.
Simon, london,
I can see a million migrants from Asia and Mexico flying into California and then turning those things into leaf blowers!
Incredible!
Richard, Davis, California
Well done!!! What a brave MAN.
Not only does he preach what he believes, but stands up and puts into practice his theories.Few people have the courage to stand up and be counted when that time arrives to do so.
John Bennett, York, U.K.
As far as I can see he knew what he was doing, so:
Congratulations!
D.C.M., Doncaster,