Our most famous pilot
Yves Rossy, or better known as the "Jetman" is a Swiss former fighter pilot of the Swiss Air Force, flying military fighter aircraft like the British Hawker Hunter, the French Dassault Mirage III and the American Northrop F-5 Tiger II. The Swiss Air Force at this time wasn't a professional one, so many Swiss AF pilots became Airline pilots also (others where farmers and butchers!). Yves Rossy also became an airline pilot, flying the Boeing 747 for Swissair.From Fighter Pilot to Jetman
During his time as an airline pilot, Yves started to develop a wing system that is powered by RC-plane turbines. He would start the jet engines from a helicopter and plane and once they are warm he jumps down like with a parachute and fully opens the wing. In case of emergency, he can drop the wing and he as well as his wing have an own parachute (and a float help in case he flies over water).
Difficult to fly
As this is a new way to fly - Yves had to learn everything from scratch. He soon realized that he had to be extremely careful with his body movements. If he looks around and moves his head to fast for example, he could easily get out of control. So it is highly sensitive. Yves soon used so much time for his hobby that he quit his job as a pilot for Swiss International Airlines (the successor of Swissair). After flying for Breitling and in formation with the the Breitling Jet Team he is no sponsored by Dubai and renamed himself "Jetman Dubai".
Yves Rossy
The Jetman still loves flying fighter jets
From time to time, Yves also flies with MiGFlug customers - in Switzerland. In Switzerland, there is still a few flyable Hunter two-seaters, ynd Yves still has the type rating and us current. And he really enjoys to fly this historic fighter bomber. The Swiss Air Force operated the subsonic jet as long as 1994! MiGFlug customers are always very surprised by their prominent pilot. And the great thing about Yves: He is an incredibly humble and nice person - customers just love to fly with him. Hawker Hunter flights usually start from Sion or the breathtaking mountain airbase of St. Stephan. Interested in flying with the Jetman? Contact us.Questions connexes
Who is Yves "Jetman" Rossy?
Yves Rossy, known as "Jetman," is a Swiss aviator and former Swiss Air Force fighter pilot who became famous for inventing a jet-powered wing that lets a person fly like a winged human. After his military service he flew airliners, then developed and piloted his rigid carbon wing powered by small jet turbines.
What aircraft did Yves Rossy fly in the Swiss Air Force?
In the Swiss Air Force, Yves Rossy flew the British Hawker Hunter, the French Dassault Mirage III and the American Northrop F-5 Tiger II. The Swiss force was a militia at the time, so many pilots also held civilian jobs. Rossy later trained others and you can read about whether anyone can really fly a fighter jet.
How does Yves Rossy's jet-powered wing work?
Rossy's wing is a rigid carbon-fibre wing fitted with model-aircraft jet turbines. He is carried aloft by a helicopter or plane, starts the engines, then drops away and opens the wing to fly under power. Body movements steer it, and both he and the wing carry emergency parachutes.
Why is Yves Rossy called "Jetman Dubai"?
Rossy adopted the name "Jetman Dubai" after the emirate of Dubai became his sponsor. Earlier in his flying-wing career he was backed by the watchmaker Breitling and flew in displays alongside the Breitling Jet Team before the Dubai partnership.
What airliners did Yves Rossy fly?
Rossy flew the Boeing 747 for Swissair and later flew for Swiss International Air Lines, the airline's successor. He eventually left airline flying to devote himself full-time to developing and performing with his jet-powered wing.
Does Yves Rossy still fly fighter jets?
Yes. Rossy still holds a type rating on the Hawker Hunter and occasionally flies two-seat Hunters in Switzerland, sometimes taking up MiGFlug customers. If you have wondered why passengers cannot fly a fighter jet solo, two-seat warbirds like the Hunter are the answer.
The Swiss International Airlines lost one passionate pilot! Amazing to see the enthusiasm people have for aeronautics, he clearly earned his title of “Jetman”