"For five decades the National Championship
Air Races in Reno have captured the imagination of spectators from around the
globe. Jetman's flight this year exceeded everyone's expectations, and we look
forward to his presence at future events," remarked Mike Houghton,
President and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association.
Yves Rossy first started developing the Jetman project in 1993. In September 2008, 99 years after the first crossing of the English Channel by air, the man now known as JETMAN followed the path of Louis Blériot, achieving an amazing flight that was broadcast live to 165 countries and widely covered by the worldwide press. Yves Rossy became legendary - even if all this ground work is actually only just opening the way to a world of adventures and emotions, both for him and his fans!
![]()
- In this photo provided by Breitling, Swiss Adventurer Yves Rossy, also known as Jetman flies in his carbon-Kevlar jetwing with four engines during an event for reporters on Monday, July 29, 2013 over Appleton WI. Rossy in his first public flight in the US in Oshkosh at the EAA AirVenture. Image: Breitling, Mike Shore/AP -
In 2010 the Swiss watchmaker Breitling joined as the main sponsor and the joint venture has continued to achieve many aviation firsts. Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert said. "It's an honor, therefore, that Breitling could play a part in this amazing event by sponsoring the National Championship Air Races and helping bring Jetman in front of a new audience. Breitling has always been dedicated to the world of professional aviation, and Jetman's performance points toward the future of races at Reno." Could Jetman's participation in Reno potentially lead to a future Jetman class at Reno?
![]()
-Yves "Jetman" Rossy performs during the National Championship Air Races in Reno, NV. Photo by Bernet, courtesy of Breitling SA. Image: PRNews Foto/Breitling, Bernet-
A military pilot, he was assigned on the Hawker Hunter, and later Mirage III. After his career in the Air Force, he has worked as a captain with Swiss International Air Lines on Boeing and Airbus airliners.
At 54 years old the Swiss born legend aviator, Yves is training a protégé to perhaps fly in formation by next year. A near crash in Spain left an indelible impression, Yves says after a six month break- that flame inside, that passion remained and he continued.
"Why do I do that? Because I hope I can realize my dreams, I can push the limits of what I have in my brain. That is the most gratifying thing that I did in my life, is create that dream."
![]()
-Yves Rossy talks about his early Jetwing flying days at the Reno Air Race. Image: Alabama Aviator-
Yves "Jetman" Rossy flies at speeds of up to 190 miles per hour using a customized carbon-Kevlar® Jetwing fitted with four engines, each of which capable of 22 kg thrust and controlled by a simple hand-held throttle. Rossy used his own body to steer, allowing his shoulders, body and legs to help him pitch and descend. This forward-thinking technology has allowed Rossy to achieve many outstanding feats in recent years, including a soaring flight above Rio de Janeiro, aerobatics from the Breitling Orbiter Balloon, a flight across the English Channel and even formation aerobatics with the Breitling Jet Team. -B Meyer FMI: http://www.breitling.com/en/ , http://www.airrace.org/ .
Yves Rossy first started developing the Jetman project in 1993. In September 2008, 99 years after the first crossing of the English Channel by air, the man now known as JETMAN followed the path of Louis Blériot, achieving an amazing flight that was broadcast live to 165 countries and widely covered by the worldwide press. Yves Rossy became legendary - even if all this ground work is actually only just opening the way to a world of adventures and emotions, both for him and his fans!
- In this photo provided by Breitling, Swiss Adventurer Yves Rossy, also known as Jetman flies in his carbon-Kevlar jetwing with four engines during an event for reporters on Monday, July 29, 2013 over Appleton WI. Rossy in his first public flight in the US in Oshkosh at the EAA AirVenture. Image: Breitling, Mike Shore/AP -
In 2010 the Swiss watchmaker Breitling joined as the main sponsor and the joint venture has continued to achieve many aviation firsts. Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert said. "It's an honor, therefore, that Breitling could play a part in this amazing event by sponsoring the National Championship Air Races and helping bring Jetman in front of a new audience. Breitling has always been dedicated to the world of professional aviation, and Jetman's performance points toward the future of races at Reno." Could Jetman's participation in Reno potentially lead to a future Jetman class at Reno?
-Yves "Jetman" Rossy performs during the National Championship Air Races in Reno, NV. Photo by Bernet, courtesy of Breitling SA. Image: PRNews Foto/Breitling, Bernet-
A military pilot, he was assigned on the Hawker Hunter, and later Mirage III. After his career in the Air Force, he has worked as a captain with Swiss International Air Lines on Boeing and Airbus airliners.
At 54 years old the Swiss born legend aviator, Yves is training a protégé to perhaps fly in formation by next year. A near crash in Spain left an indelible impression, Yves says after a six month break- that flame inside, that passion remained and he continued.
"Why do I do that? Because I hope I can realize my dreams, I can push the limits of what I have in my brain. That is the most gratifying thing that I did in my life, is create that dream."
-Yves Rossy talks about his early Jetwing flying days at the Reno Air Race. Image: Alabama Aviator-
Yves "Jetman" Rossy flies at speeds of up to 190 miles per hour using a customized carbon-Kevlar® Jetwing fitted with four engines, each of which capable of 22 kg thrust and controlled by a simple hand-held throttle. Rossy used his own body to steer, allowing his shoulders, body and legs to help him pitch and descend. This forward-thinking technology has allowed Rossy to achieve many outstanding feats in recent years, including a soaring flight above Rio de Janeiro, aerobatics from the Breitling Orbiter Balloon, a flight across the English Channel and even formation aerobatics with the Breitling Jet Team. -B Meyer FMI: http://www.breitling.com/en/ , http://www.airrace.org/ .