Yves "Jetman" Rossy flew a jet-propelled wing attached to his back, steering only by movement of his body flew through the Grand Canyon on Saturday May 7, 2011. After being launched form a helicopter at 8,000 feet, Rossy reached speeds of up to 190 mph.
The self-proclaimed "Jetman" sustained flight for more than eight minutes, 200 feet above the rim of Grand Canyon West. To end the flight, Rossy deployed his parachute and descended to the canyon floor.
An earlier flight scheduled for Friday was cancelled when final FAA certification was held up due to the difficulty in classifying Mr. Rossy’s one-of-a-kind jet-powered wing. By the time the process was complete, sufficient practice flights were unable to occur prior to the scheduled 9 a.m. flight.
"My first flight in the U.S. is sure to be one of the most memorable experiences in my life," Rossy said before taking off. "Not only for the sheer beauty of the Grand Canyon but the honor to fly in sacred Native American lands."
"Thank you Mother Nature and the Hualapai Tribe for making my lifelong dreams come true."
* With files from Breitling Media Agency
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