Yves Rossy Jetman

Yves Rossy is a Swiss military-trained pilot and aviation enthusiast, widely recognized as “Jetman.” He served as a fighter pilot in the Swiss Air Force, where he flew Dassault Mirage IIIs, Northrop F-5 Tiger IIs, and Hawker Hunters. Later, he piloted Boeing 747s for Swissair and Swiss International Air Lines. Rossy’s extensive background in aviation, both military and commercial, provided a foundational understanding of flight dynamics that informed his later innovative work.

Driven by a vision for personal flight, Rossy dedicated himself to developing and building an experimental wingsuit system. This system incorporates a carbon-fiber wing equipped with four Jetcat P400 jet engines, modified from model aircraft engines, strapped to his back. This innovative design allows for sustained, controlled human flight, a concept Rossy first started developing in 1993. His work with this jet-powered wing has earned him monikers such as ‘The Airman,’ ‘Rocketman,’ and ‘Fusionman.’

Throughout his career, Rossy has achieved numerous milestones, pushing the boundaries of human flight. His notable accomplishments include the first successful horizontal flight using his jet-powered wing in December 2006, crossing the English Channel in 2008, and flying over the Grand Canyon in 2011. Rossy has consistently sought to refine his technology and demonstrate its capabilities globally, including performing aerobatics and flying in formation with various aircraft. He has also mentored other pilots, like Vince Reffet, extending the legacy of jet-powered human flight.