'Jetman' Yves Rossy completes Grand Canyon flight

Swiss daredevil "Jetman" Yves Rossy successfully completed his flight along the Grand Canyon in his jet-propelled wingsuit on Saturday.

Swissinfo reports that Rossy, 51, launched from the side of a helicopter at about 8,000 feet and, flying at speeds of up to 190 mph, remained airborne 200 feet above the rim of Grand Canyon West for more than eight minutes before deploying his parachute and safely descending to the canyon floor.

This was the first U.S. flight for Rossy, who had previously completed flights over the Swiss Alps and the English Channel. Originally planned for Friday, the Grand Canyon flight was postponed because of issues with Federal Aviation Administration permissions.

"My first flight in the U.S. is sure to be one of the most memorable experiences in my life. Not only for the sheer beauty of the Grand Canyon but the honor to fly in sacred Native American lands." Rossy said in a press release. "Thank you Mother Nature and the Hualapai Tribe for making my lifelong dreams come true."

-- Kelly Burgess

twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Video: Swiss "Jetman" flies over Grand Canyon. Credit: YouTube

Comments

[C. Wyatt Hertz]

Katharine, didn't you notice the ad for Breitling watches on his wing and parachute?

[Katharine Rafferty]

So cool! Now if we could just get "Jetman" to fly with a billboard -- think of the possibilities, ha-ha...This company out of NYC is already doing it with a helicopter: http://www.bootcamplights.com