Bad weather grounds Fusionman
- 00:01:25
- ITN
Bad weather grounds Fusionman
A Swiss adventurer attempting to fly solo across the English Channel with nothing more than wings and a jet pack strapped to his back has abandoned the risky stunt for the second time. The organisers cited bad weather for the postponement and said another attempt would take place on Friday. Yves Rossy, known as Fusionman, was planning to jump from a plane more than 8,200ft (2,500m) above ground, then fire up jets on his home-made wing and soar across one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Earlier in the week the 49-year-old was forced to cancel the Calais to Dover flight due to poor weather. Mr Rossy, a former military pilot, aims to trace the route of French aviation pioneer Louis Bleriot, who became the first person to fly across the Channel in a plane 99 years ago. Flying at speeds approaching 125mph, it is expected that the 22-mile televised flight across the Channel should take Rossy around 12 minutes to complete. To achieve the feat, Rossy - a pilot with Swiss International Air Lines - must overcome significant challenges, not least the container ships that will be passing through the sea. In an interview earlier this week, he said: "If I calculate everything right, I will land in Dover. But if I get it wrong, I take a bath." Rossy will review safety measures before take-off in Calais, especially important as his jet-propelled wing needs to be ignited while still inside the plane. He has never flown for longer than ten minutes. And his wing weight and measurements must be incredibly precise, with even the addition of a tiny camera possibly affecting how long he can stay in the air. In addition, weather conditions must be perfect for him to fly long enough to complete the journey. A helicopter will hover nearby to capture images of him and he will be equipped with a camera mounted on his 2.5 metre-long wing. Over the past few months, he has been fine-tuning the wing's design and performance and carried out several test flights in wind tunnels and the Swiss Alps. His wing weighs about 55kg with fuel and includes four simple, kerosene-burning jet turbines to keep him airborne. Created from a lightweight carbon composite, the wing has no steering devices, meaning Rossy will have to use his head and back to control the wing's movement. He will be outfitted with a special suit, helmet and parachute as part of the precautions to protect him from the jet turbines mounted just centimetres from him on the wing.
ITN | September 25, 2008
