Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman? Well, it’s none of the above. Just Jetman Dubai flying over Dubai Marina having just achieved 100% autonomous human flight.
Not only was this the first time a ‘Jetman’ could combine hovering safely at an altitude and acrobatics as well but also according to Sheikh Hamdan‘s Instagram post, it is a major milestone towards the first 100% autonomous human flight. Achieving human flight is one of Expo 2020‘s missions.
According to the video description:
On Friday, February 14, 2020, Jetman Vince Reffet took off, headed south towards Jumeirah Beach Residence, building speed and height. In 8 seconds he had reached 100 meters height, in 12 seconds 200m, 19 seconds 500m, and reached 1000m in 30 seconds at an average speed of 130 knots. At the end of a 3-minute flight punctuated by a roll and a loop at 1800m altitude, Jetman Vince Reffet opened his parachute at 1500m before landing back at Skydive Dubai.
It is the first time that a #JetmanDubai pilot could combine hovering safely at a limited altitude and flying aerobatics at high altitude in the same flight.
Controlled from the ground by the human body, the equipment enables Jetman Dubai to reach speeds of 400kmh, as well as hovering, changing direction and performing loops.