Yves Rossy, 50, was a former fighter pilot. He attempted the feat with a homemade wing 8 feet across strapped to his back. It was powered by four kerosene-fueled jet engines. The fact that he's using a jet pack rather than a rocket pack had led some to call him Jetman rather than Rocket Man, but the Elton John song led many to the Rocket Man terminology. Video showed Rossy waving was he was waiting to be picked up.
He has performed similar flight in the past, successfully. In 2008 Rocket Man (or Jetman) Yves Rossy flew across the English Channel from Calais to Dover (video here). The trip from Morocco to Spain, however, would have qualified as the first human jet-pack powered intercontinental flight, if it had succeeded. It was planned to be a 15 minute flight.
While Yves Rossy, the Rocket Man (or Jetman) was rescued, it was unclear what happened to the wing itself. The wing is made of carbon fiber and was designed by Rossy himself. With a full load of fuel it weighs around 132 pounds, and because of the dangers involved, he wears a fire-retardant suit.
Rossy launched, so to speak, his attempt from the skies above Tangiers in Morocco on Wednesday. He jumped out, unfurled his wings, and lit his engines. He was trailed by a team of paramedics in a helicopter. In fact, the team lost sight of the Yves Rossy for several minutes, but eventually located him floating in the ocean about halfway through the flight.
While Jetman Yves Rossy failed in his attempt on an intercontinental flight, it still brings to mind lyrics from Elton John's "Rocket Man." One such is: "Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone."
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
Posted November 25th, 2009 by Michael Santo
