Fusion Man flies solo across the Channel

[Philip Argy]

I know we have mentioned Fusion Man previously, but the thread is not showing up in any search, so I'm re-starting it here.

'Fusion Man' makes historic Channel flight

Yves Rossy parachutes towards his landing site near Dover, England. (AFP: Adrian Dennis)

• Video: Rocketman flys over Channel (ABC News)

Swiss airline pilot Yves Rossy has become the first person to fly between France and England using a jet-powered wing.
The pilot, who normally flies an Airbus airliner, swapped the plane's controls for four jets attached to a wing on his back to get across the Channel.
The simple kerosene-burning jet turbines propelled him the 35 kilometres between Calais and Dover at speeds of up to 200 kph. The journey took just under 10 minutes.
The 49-year-old Rossy, who calls himself "Fusion Man", ignited the jets inside a plane before jumping out more than 2,400 metres above ground.
After a period of free fall he opened the wing and soared across the water. With no steering controls, the only way to change direction was like a bird, moving his head and back.
When he reached Britain, he released his parachute and drifted down gently before landing in a field.
Rossy traced the route of French aviator Louis Bleriot, who became the first person to fly across the Channel in an aircraft in 1909.
He usually flies a Swiss International A320 Airbus between Zurich and Heathrow and took at least five years to develop the jet-propelled device.
The wing, which spans eight feet, is made of lightweight carbon composite and weighs about 55 kilograms including fuel.
He postponed the flight for a day due to poor weather and wore a flameproof suit to help him withstand the jet exhaust around his legs.
A helicopter accompanied him during the journey.
- Reuters