Aircraft

Jetmen join French Air Force aerobatic team for insane formation flight

Jetmen join French Air Force aerobatic team for insane formation flight
Jetmen Yves Rossy and Fred Fugen in very tight formation, this photo taken by the third member of the team Vince Reffet
Jetmen Yves  Rossy  and  Fred  Fugen  in  very  tight  formation, this photo taken by the third member of the team Vince Reffet
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Jetman in close formation with the the Patrouille de France Alphajets
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Jetman  in  close  formation  with  the  the  Patrouille  de France Alphajets
The Jetmen used only body movements to maintain their position just feet away from the eight Dessault Alpha jets
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The Jetmen used only body movements to maintain their position just feet away from the eight Dessault Alpha jets
Each jet-powered wing has four Jet-Cat P400 engines fueled by a mix of kerosene and 5 percent turbine oil. It has a wingspan of 2 meters, and a dry weight of 40 kg.
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Each jet-powered wing has four Jet-Cat P400 engines fueled by a mix of kerosene and 5 percent turbine oil. It has a wingspan of 2 meters, and a dry weight of 40 kg. 
Jetmen Yves Rossy and Fred Fugen in very tight formation, this photo taken by the third member of the team Vince Reffet
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Jetmen Yves  Rossy  and  Fred  Fugen  in  very  tight  formation, this photo taken by the third member of the team Vince Reffet
"What a fantastic experience for us, as pilots, to be able to fly in formation with these men," said Squadron Leader Christophe Dubois after the performance
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"What a fantastic experience for us, as pilots, to be able to fly in formation with these men," said Squadron Leader Christophe Dubois after the performance
A breathtaking example of precision flying at 4,000 ft and 140 knots from the Patrouille de France aerobatic demonstration team and the three Jetmen
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A breathtaking example of precision flying at 4,000 ft and 140 knots from the Patrouille de France aerobatic demonstration team and the three Jetmen
The three Jetmen in close formation with the Patrouille de France aerobatic demonstration team
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The three Jetmen in close formation with the Patrouille de France aerobatic demonstration team
French Jetman Fred Fugen just a few feet from an Alphajet's right wing
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French Jetman Fred Fugen just a few feet from an Alphajet's right wing
The three Jetmen in close formation with the French Air Force display team, followed by Eric Magnan shooting the movie for Airborne Films
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The three Jetmen in close formation with the French Air Force display team, followed by Eric Magnan shooting the movie for Airborne Films
The Jetmen were flown into drop position by helicopter
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The Jetmen were flown into drop position by helicopter
Each of the four jets on the rigid Jetman wing puts out 40 kg of thrust
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Each of the four jets on the rigid Jetman wing puts out 40 kg of thrust
From left to right: François-Olivier Robin (co founder of Airborne Films), Vince Reffet (three times world Free Fly champion), Yves Rossy (inventor of the Jet wing), Fred Fugen (also three times world Free Fly champion) and movie director Eric Magnan
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From left to right: François-Olivier Robin (co founder of   Airborne Films), Vince Reffet (three times world Free Fly champion), Yves Rossy (inventor of the Jet wing), Fred  Fugen (also  three  times  world  Free Fly champion) and movie director Eric Magnan
Fighter pilots from Patrouille de France, Yves Rossy, Fred Fugen and Vince Reffet
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Fighter pilots from Patrouille de France, Yves Rossy, Fred Fugen and Vince Reffet
The three Jetmen suited up and ready for lift off
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The three Jetmen suited up and ready for lift off
View gallery - 14 images

Three jetmen have taken to the skies of southern France to join the Patrouille de France aerobatic demonstration team for a "world's first" formation flight. The breathtaking aerial performance was captured on film by Airborne Films and can be seen in the video below.

The Jetman Dubai team's Yves Rossy and Vincent Reffet already have an impressive formation flight feather in their cap, after flying alongside an Emirates Airbus A380 passenger jet in October 2015. Now they've been joined by fellow jet-propelled wing flyer, and local boy, Fred Fugen for a nine minute precision dance in the skies above Saint-Christol in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France for the first flight with the iconic Alphajet team.

The three Jetmen in close formation with the Patrouille de France aerobatic demonstration team
The three Jetmen in close formation with the Patrouille de France aerobatic demonstration team

The Patrouille de France is said to be the world's oldest aerobatic demonstration team, and its pilots regarded as among the most skilled. This latest precision flying performance required brain-melting concentration from jet pilots and human flyers alike, as the latter trio used only body movements to maintain their position just feet away from the eight Dessault Alpha jets.

"What a fantastic experience for us, as pilots, to be able to fly in formation with these men," said Squadron Leader Christophe Dubois after the performance.

This exceptional example of precision flying, at a reported altitude of 4,000 ft (1,200 m) and flight speed on 140 knots (260 km/h), can be seen in the video below.

Source: Airborne Films

Alpha Jetman – Human Flight And Beyond 4K

View gallery - 14 images
5 comments
5 comments
Buellrider
That was the most inspiring thing I've seen for awhile. Simply awesome!!
SiteGuy
The stunt itself was clearly a mastery of precision and was no doubt technically involved and difficult to pull off, given the coordination it would have required. But that feat was equalled by the stunning footage captured by Airborne Films. Given where it was filmed, I think it would be appropriate to say that this event was a tour de force!
MichelleLimGalvez
Wow!
MattII
Great stuff, and doubtless would have seemed even more spectacular in 3D.
MartinVoelker
Breathtaking - and famous Mont Ventoux in the background!