Jet Power Swiss fl yer Yves Rossy wanted to feel more like a bird during fl ight. To do that, he needed thrust as well as liſt . T rust is a force that pushes an object forward. So, he made a wing to strap on his back. T en he added tiny jet engines to create thrust. Ten years later, observers say Rossy fl ies


with the grace of an eagle. His wing is made from strong, light carbon fi ber. T e man, wing, and jet engines are too


big to get inside a plane. So he stands in the back of the plane on a platform. High above the ground, he starts the engines. T en he falls backward into the open sky.


Fast Flight Rossy can fl y for about 10 minutes. He’s limited by the amount of fuel he can carry. He uses his body to steer the wing, much like a bird does. He straightens his body to dive. To stop


his dive, he raises his head and arches his back. T is action shiſt s how the air fl ows over his wing. T en he relaxes his back to move straight and level. If Rossy wants to turn or roll, he twists his shoulders. Rossy carries two tools. A timer tells him


how long he has fl own. A meter shows how high he is. Both are needed to land safely. With just 15 seconds of fuel leſt , he stops


the engines. T en he opens his parachute. He can cut loose his wing if he’s in danger. T e wing has its own parachute. Rossy no longer fl ies alone. Vince Reff et


is the only other fl yer who knows how to use Rossy’s invention. Rossy taught him how to fl y.


14 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


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