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Video: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's 'Jetman' Yves Rossy over Mount Fuji

Iron Man might sound like a Marvel's comic, and only a comic, but a Swiss pilot proves wrong and flies up in the skies using an engine-powered jetsuit

Linda Sharkey
Wednesday 06 November 2013 12:37 GMT
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Yves Rossy soared over Japan's iconic landmark Mount Fuji using jet-powered wings attached to his body.

Nicknamed Jetman, Rocketman and Fusionman, the Swiss pilot is the inventor of his own jet pack, with which he can fly up in the skies reaching speeds of 300 kilometres per hour.

His custom-built jetsuit is a backpack with carbon-fibre wings spanning about two metres, powered by four attached jet engines modified from large model aircraft engines.

With the 60-kilogram kit strapped on his back, Mr Rossy has flied over some of the world's most inspiring places, including the English Channel, the Grand Canyon and the scenic city of Rio de Janeiro, as well as flying in formation with jet airplanes and a Spitfire fighter in the US.

This time he circled Japan's highest and most revered mountain nine times over one week until last Sunday.

Yves Rossy, known as the Jetman, flies by Japan's most iconic and highest landmark, Mount Fuji
Yves Rossy, known as the Jetman, flies by Japan's most iconic and highest landmark, Mount Fuji (AP)

“It’s a fantastic privilege to be a little mosquito flying in front of that big mountain,” he said.

Each flight lasted about 10 minutes, he dived from a helicopter, soared 3,657 metres high and parachuted back to earth from an altitude of 800 metres.

Yves Rossy jumps from a helicopter at an altitude of 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) and successfully flew the jet-powered carbon-Kevlar Jetwing near Mount Fuji
Yves Rossy jumps from a helicopter at an altitude of 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) and successfully flew the jet-powered carbon-Kevlar Jetwing near Mount Fuji (AP)

Mr Rossy said: "That's one of the most common dreams. Everyone has once dreamed to fly like a bird.

"And I am between human and bird. It's a human physiology with fixed wings."

Yves Rossy is currently a captain with Swiss International Air Lines on sabbatical leave.

Yves Rossy, known as the Jetman, descends by parachute after flying around Mount Fuji in Japan
Yves Rossy, known as the Jetman, descends by parachute after flying around Mount Fuji in Japan (AP)

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