As AVweb reported recently, Yves Rossy, who flies a unique jet-powered strap-on glider, apparently has plans to teach his skills to others, and last week, a reporter at EpicTV.com followed up to learn more about the Jetman’s plans. Rossy confirmed that he is planning to open a flight school, which would accept as students only experienced skydivers who also have experience flying either airplanes or wingsuits. “We plan courses between one to four weeks depending on the abilities of the students, the weather and the level of proficiency targeted,” said Rossy. “From controlled solo in blue sky, to multi-formation flights around clouds.” Rossy also said he would build and sell a copy of his jetwing for a million Euros, but he is developing a glider version that he hopes to offer at an “affordable” price.
The glider will have the same safety features as his jet version, Rossy said, with two parachutes and a release mechanism to detach the pilot from the wing in an emergency. He also said he is using a skydiving rig with a special two-step opening patented by Parachutes de France. Rossy has piloted his powered jetwing across the English Channel and a section of the Grand Canyon. He’s flown his gliding wing in excess of 150 mph and has demonstrated aerobatics while flying it. Click here for a video by AVweb‘s Glenn Pew that shows Rossy flying with the glider wing.
