This article was first published in the October 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online
To Yves Rossy, soaring 2,100 metres above the Dubai desert in a self-designed jet pack is child's play. "You know when you see kids in the garden pretending to fly? It's like that." But what else would Rossy say? The Swiss former fighter pilot -- AKA Jetman -- has been flying his self-designed jet pack since 2008. "It took 20 years to develop," he says. "It looks easy, but it wasn't."
Each of Rossy's flights starts with a plane jump. Using the 55kg carbon-fibre wing, powered by four small Jet-Cat P200 turbine engines and attached using a custom harness, he can hit up to 300kph. Since his debut, Rossy has racked up tens of millions of YouTube views. But recently he became frustrated with the craft's limitations. "There are still engine failures. Not enough power. We struggle with high heat," he says.
He will soon unveil a new wing. The centrepiece: improved Jet-Cat engines designed to be faster and more manoeuvrable. "We will have more power, more speed, the ability to go really high," he says. He has also worked with a parachute developer to create a low-altitude parachute for the wing, which will allow him to fly even closer to the crowds.
But Rossy won't be the Jetman forever - at 56, his age is catching up with him. So in May he introduced his protégé, French wingsuiting champion Vince Reffet, who is also helping him develop the new wing system. "The first time we flew, I was frustrated, as he is much better than me," says Rossy. Together, the two plan to develop a commercial gliding wing. The ultimate goal? Individual air transportation for all. "For sure, it will come," says Rossy, "it's just a question of energy." Until then, he'll keep pushing the limits. "This is like the beginning of aviation. It's the beginning of Flying Man."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
