Rossy revels in solo flight across Channel

SWISS adventurer Yves Rossy cracked open the champagne as he toasted becoming the first person to fly solo across the English Channel using a single jet-propelled wing.

A global audience witnessed Rossy leap from a plane more than 8,200ft (2,500m) above France before soaring at more than 100mph over one of the world's busiest shipping lanes powered by four jets on his home-made wing.

Before making the jump, he gave a high five to his crew and then perched himself perilously on a step just outside the plane door in what Rossy described as perfect weather conditions.

Several minutes into the flight, scores of spectators waiting for him on top of the White Cliffs of Dover saw the 49-year-old professional pilot come into view amid cloudless skies.

Rossy said: "It was just perfect. I'm in a dream."

He added that he felt "great, really great". He said he felt no fear at any point during the adventure.

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ADVENTURER: Yves Rossy, 49, also known as Fusionman, from Switzerland, after successfully completing a crossing of the English Channel from Calais to Dover using a single jet propelled wing

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