Dubai is the new city of dreams. It has become so to the extent that it's materialized the most common fantasy of all: flying.
Last week, Jetman pilot Vince Reffet completed a head-turning autonomous human flight in the emirate. It wasn't long before Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum took to Instagram to share breathtaking footage of the feat.
"A major milestone in the quest to achieve 100% autonomous human flight. Well done boys," Sheikh Hamdan wrote.
The clip shows Reffet take off towards Jumeirah Beach Residence while donning a carbon wire wing powered by four mini jet engines. The equipment, which can be controlled by the human body, enables a person "to reach speeds of 400kmh, as well as hovering, changing direction and performing loops."
The stuntman reached 1,000 meters in 30 seconds at an average speed of 240.76km/h, according to Gulf Today. By the end of a three-minute flight, Reffet opened his parachute at 1,500m before landing back at Skydive Dubai.
After securing a smooth landing, Reffet took off for a second time and headed south. On his second flight, the stuntman traveled "at an average speed of 240kmh, he climbed 100m in the air in eight seconds, 200m in 12 seconds, 500m in 19 seconds and 1,000m in 30 seconds."
He also performed a roll and a loop at 1,800m altitude before he opened his parachute and landed back again.
This marks the first time a Jetman pilot flies aerobatics at a high altitude and hovers at a low altitude all on the same flight.
Jetman Dubai is launching into the future
The unique human flight stunt concept was created by Swiss military-trained pilot and aviation enthusiast Yves Rossy. Driven by his desire to "fly like a bird," the adventurer designed and built what has now become known as the Jet-wing.
Jetman Dubai is an extension of the idea and a project that "will create a future for individuals flying with Jet-wings and that will one day change the way we experience the world."
In partnership with XDubai, an extreme sports company, thrill-seekers can now experience a new kind of adrenaline rush when visiting the emirate.
This isn't the first time Prince Hamdan shares footage of Jetman Dubai making history. Last year, the royal posted footage capturing Jetman Dubai thrill-seekers wearing jet-propelled wings and flying over the city.
