A great story for a Friday. Yves "Jetman" Rossy flew 200 feet above the Grand Canyon in west Arizonam USA May 10th, 2011. The flight lasted 8 minutes after Rossy jumped from a helicopter at 8,000 feet. Four model jet turbines, Jet-Cat P200, on Rossy's Jet-Wing gave him enough lift to stay up for the test run. Steering was done via his body. A maximum speed of 190mph was reached at one point.
This Jet-Wing is the 15th in a line of prototypes that have spanned 10 years of development. According to Rossy's website, 30L of Kerosene (with 5% turbine oil) gives him about 10 minutes of flight time. The 2m wingspan, when fueled, weighs 55 kg (121 lbs). It can move at an average speed of 200 km/h (124 miles/h), and up to 300 km/h (186 miles/h) on descent. Which this speed was broken during the test. And, of course, a built in parachute from Parachutes de France, a model Legend R. (Is there a secondary?)
Rossy's next step is to make the Jet-Wing smaller and more powerful to perform "aerial acrobatics." It looks like a delight to fly in the Jet-Wing. Maybe someday. Until then, we will have to settle for the $100,00 jet pack.
Eavesdropper