| Q. |
What inspired you to become the Jet Man? Have you always been such a risk-taker? |
| A. |
My inspiration has always been to realise my dream. The actual technology allows it but at the beginning, I could only glide with the wing. The next step was to motorise the wing, so I went to JetCat in Germany, the company that made it possible for the wing to have power/engines.
I used to have a tendency to be a bit of a daredevil. Now I do not take unnecessary risks.
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| Q. |
How exactly is the jet-propelled wing designed? |
| A. |
The very first wing was based on an aerodynamic model from the Ukraine. It was an inflatable wing, which over the years through trial and error I have modified into a solid wing, which folds out.
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| Q. |
How many prototypes did you develop before finding something that worked, and how long did it take you to perfect the jet wing that you are currently using? |
| A. |
I have developed about 15 wings over the last 15 years! The first time I used a wing was in 1992. I have been working on this prototype (the one with four engines) for almost three years and I never stop trying to improve it.
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| Q. |
How are you able to navigate while in flight? |
| A. |
I navigate by sight, and steer only with the movement of my body (essentially using my head, shoulders and arms). All I need to do is shift slightly to my right for the wing to move right, etc. The only instrument I have is the fuel lever.
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| Q. |
How have you been preparing for your flight across the English Channel? What sort of challenges have you had to overcome to make this monumental event happen? |
| A. |
The greatest challenge remains the length of the flight. It is crucial to succeed in flying for 35 kilometres at the risk of ending up in the water. I have to do one more 35-kilometre distance test because I have added extra fuel in the wing and that will enable me to fly for longer.
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| Q. |
Flying on a jet-propelled wing seems like an incredibly risky manoeuvre. Have you had any close calls in your testing flights? |
| A. |
AOh yes, I must have dropped the wing about 20 times ! Luckily every time I have dropped the wing, it has been ok. I let the wing go to become a normal parachutist. These problems during flight have happened and they will certainly continue to occur.
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| Q. |
What preparations and safety precautions do you make before flying? Do you feel nervous before each test run? |
| A. |
There is a certain tension, because I have had quite a few setbacks in the past. With each flight I try to eliminate them, to avoid making the same mistakes twice. Do not forget my wing is the premier model, the goal is to simplify it. Before each flight I have a kind of positive tension ; that tension helps me to concentrate.On top of physical and mental preparation, I prep the wing. I have a checklist of what has gone wrong in the past and I make sure that those issues have been resolved and that makes the flight more feasible.
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