Jet Man
Who: A Swiss aviator named Yves Rossy, known as Jet Man.
What: He flew 22 miles across the English Channel in Europe; the first person ever to do so with a jet-powered device.
When: August 20, 2019
Where: Europe (France to England)
Why: This article was important because it showed how humans are able, with planning
and practice, to achieve amazing things. It also showed how anyone can accomplish
great things with individual effort and belief in themselves. It relates to culture by illustrating
how technology can take us to great heights in the pursuit of our dreams and inspire others to do the same.
Summary
On August 20 a Swiss aviator named Yves Rossy, also known as Jet Man, flew
22 miles across the English Channel in Europe. He was the first person ever to achieve
this feat, flying from France to England, using his own jet-powered device. He traveled
at speeds up to 125 miles per hour and had 120 pounds of equipment and fuel strapped
to his back. He did have some help getting into the air however. A plane lifted him to
a height of 8,200 feet where he jumped out and made his way toward England’s White
Cliffs of Dover. Along the journey he wore a flight suit, long wings, and a helmet, and
steered by moving his head and back. This amazing journey completed a 6 year plan that
included months of practice, individual tenacity, and a wild sense of adventure. It was
important because it showed how humans are able, with planning, practice and belief in
themselves, to achieve amazing things. It relates to culture by illustrating
how technology can take us to great heights in the pursuit of our dreams and inspire others to do the same.
ARTICLE:
'Jet Man' Zooms Across English Channel
September 20, 2016
In just 13 minutes last week, Yves Rossy flew his way into history,
under his own power.
The Swiss aviator crossed the 22 miles of the English Channel on Sept.
20 with nothing powering him but his own jet-powered device. He
wore a flight suit and helmet, of course, for safety reasons. To steer,
he moved his head and back.
Rossy, also known as "Jet Man," had a bit of help from a plane, which
lifted him into the airspace over the French port of Calais. When the
plane was 8,200 feet high, Rossy jumped out and made his way
northwest, toward the United Kingdom's White Cliffs of Dover.
He traveled at speeds of up to 125 mph. Strapped to his back were
120 pounds of equipment and fuel.
It was the first jet-powered, human-steered crossing of the English
Channel. At the end of it, Rossy did a figure-eight in the sky, opened
up his parachute, and floated to land.
Rossy had postponed a few earlier attempts because of bad weather.
The successful journey completed a six-year plan that included months
of practice.