'Human Jet' to Soar in Daring Stunt
Source: The Associated Press
Posted: 09/26/08 8:37AM
Filed Under: World
LONDON, England (AP) - Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy will try to cross the English Channel using his homemade jet-propelled wing Friday, a day after the thrill-seeking pilot canceled his attempt due to bad weather, organizers said.
Sky-High Adventures |
Yves Rossy of Switzerland comes into land by parachute after his solo flight from France to England near Dover, England, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. The Swiss daredevil crossed the English Channel strapped to a homemade jet-propelled wing Friday, parachuting into a field near the white cliffs of Dover after a 10-minute solo flight. Yves Rossy leapt from a plane at more than 8,800 feet (2,500 meters), fired up his jets and made the 22-mile (35-kilometer ) trip from Calais in France. |
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Rossy plans to leap from plane more than 8,800 feet or a mile and a half off the ground, fire up his jets and try to make the 22-mile trip from Calais in France to Dover in England in about 12 minutes.
The stunt was postponed from its scheduled date Thursday when visibility deteriorated.
"It's not so safe to fly across water if you can't see," Rossy told National Geographic Channel in a live television interview Thursday. "I don't have any instruments, and I need to be able to see the landing site."
The trip across the Channel is meant to trace the route of French aviator Louis Bleriot, the first person to cross the narrow body of water in an airplane 99 years ago.
Rossy told reporters at a news conference Thursday that he was ready for another try.
"I'm not disappointed," Rossy said. "If it was easy, everyone would do it. ... But I cannot control the weather."
Balloon Stunt Goes Wrong |
The body of Catholic priest Adelir Antonio de Carli, above right, was found off the coast of southeastern Brazil on Tuesday, July 29, police said. De Carli disappeared on April 20 after floating out over the ocean suspended by 1,000 party balloons. De Carli was trying to break a 19-hour record for the most hours flying with balloons to raise money for a spiritual rest-stop for truckers. |
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