Jetman‘s First Flight In Asia

Mount Fuji or Fujisan, Japan's holy mountain has been venerated as an awe-inspiring symbol. So globally significant this ancient Volcano, which last erupted in 1707, has been added to the World Heritage List as a cultural site on June 22nd, 2013.

Yves Rossy, together with Swiss watch manufacturer Breitling, were honored to be able to showcase this demonstration of advanced human flight to new audiences, above this area of outstanding natural beauty.

Japan, revered for its innovative technology and its leading industrial spirit seemed a suiting location for the first endeavors of Yves Rossy in Asia, who had always expressed a strong desire to fly here.
"Flying here for me is a dream. It is such a contrast flying free with just a wing on my back, compared to being enclosed in a cockpit as an airline pilot," said Yves Rossy. "It is hard to describe the emotions and feeling of having an opportunity like this, it's spiritual, it is immense. I am the lucky guy who gets to do this, but I hope I can motivate the next generation of forward thinkers to do something different, to strive and achieve their goals! even if it seems impossible."

Yves Rossy has carried out a series of flights, using a carbon-Kevlar Jetwing with four Jetcat engines, each of which are capable of a 22 kg thrust. The Swiss pilot is able to propel himself through the skies, controlled by a simple throttle in his hand. The rest of the controls are left to the human fuselage -- Rossy himself -- who simply uses his shoulders, body and legs to steer, pitch and descend. This forward-thinking technology has allowed Rossy to achieve many outstanding feats, including soaring above Rio de Janeiro, completing aerobatics from the Breitling Orbiter Balloon, crossing the English Channel and flying in formation with various Breitling Jets, Warbirds and passenger aircraft.

Following the recent tour of the Breitling Jet Team in Japan, Breitling, a watch brand synonymous with aviation, is pleased to support these outstanding achievements, which are part of activities marking the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relationships between Switzerland and Japan.

Yves Rossy first started developing the Jetman project in 1993 and in 2008 completed the first significant Jetman feat by crossing the English Channel. In 2010 the Swiss watchmaker Breitling joined as the main sponsor and the joint venture has continued to achieve many aviation firsts.

ABOUT BREITLING
A specialist of technical watches, Breitling has played a crucial role in the development of the wrist chronograph and is a leader in this field. The firm has shared all the finest moments in the conquest of the skies thanks to its sturdy, reliable and high-performance instruments. The world's only major watch brand to equip all its models with chronometer-certified movements, the ultimate token of precision, Breitling is also one of the rare companies to produce its own mechanical chronograph movements, entirely developed and manufactured in its workshops. This family business is also one of the last remaining independent Swiss watch brands.