WATCH: A Jetwing Air Ballet over the Dubai Desert

Dan Tynan

Whoever said man was not meant to fly — at least without an airplane — has never met Yves Rossy.

The 55-year-old former Swiss fighter pilot, whose nickname is Jetman, makes a habit of strapping on a 7-foot-wide, 120-pound jetwing and taking it for a spin over some of the most beautiful and desolate regions of the planet.

In this stunning 4K video, Rossy teams up with aerobatics champ Veres Zoltán for an acrobatic arabesque high in the sky over the sands of Dubai.

The jetwing uses four small jet engines to achieve a maximum speed of 125 miles per hour. Rossy uses a handheld throttle to control the wing and a parachute to land.

Yves Rossy in flying jetwing
Yves Rossy in flying jetwing

(Jetman.com)

This is not Rossy’s first air rodeo. The aerialist has made similar trips over the Alps, the English Channel, the Grand Canyon, and Mount Fuji, racking up an impressive number of frequent-flyer miles. You can view most of these trips on the Jetman Dubai YouTube channel.

Information about how much the wing cost to develop, or whether mere mortals will one day be able to buy one, was unavailable at press time. In the meantime, you’ll have to settle for a cramped coach seat and the dream of your own personal jetpack.

You can reach Dan Tynan at ModFamily1@yahoo.com.