Man free flies over Swiss Alps

BERNE, Switzerland, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- An airline captain in Switzerland has found his own way of free flying --wearing a small pair of wings and four tiny jet engines.

The Sunday Times of London reported on Yves Rossy and his attempts to achieve man's long-sought goal of free flying.

Rossy, who says he has skimmed the Swiss Alps at 187 miles per hour, told The Sunday Times the only obstacle he has come up against is the Swiss law.

"They were totally confused," said 47-year-old Rossy. "The authorities said that I was an unregistered aircraft and to fly, you need a license. I told them, 'No. To fly, you need wings.'"

Rossy began his experiment in 2004. He said he hopes one day to be able to take off from the ground. For now he jumps from airplanes, flies along for six minutes till his fuel runs out, then parachutes to the ground.

The goal, he said, is to eliminate as much weight as possible. Rossy currently flies with engines, fuel and a crash helmet. He said he hopes to one day sell his kit to flying enthusiasts.

"It's a compliment if someone says I'm a bit mad," Rossy told The Sunday Times. "In our society no one wants to take risks any more. No one wants responsibility."