In a daring world first, a jetpack-powered pilot managed to take off from a standing start to reach an altitude of 1,800 meters and speeds of 240 kph. Such stunts previously needed to launch from a height, such as a helicopter.

The impressive feat was carried out in Dubai on February 14, but the footage was first posted online by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan on Monday with the caption: “A major milestone in the quest to achieve 100 percent autonomous human flight. Well done boys.”

The group behind the Ironman-like project is called Jetman Dubai and is backed by Expo 2020 Dubai. They said they carried out 100 take-offs and landings – and at least 50 preparatory flights – before pilot Vince Reffet pulled off the aerial milestone, wearing a carbon fiber wing powered by four mini jet engines.

The daredevil pilot was “overjoyed” by the successful flight, describing it as “the result of extremely thorough teamwork.”

“Everything was planned to the split second,” he added. “It’s another step in a long-term project.”

Though Reffet landed using a parachute, the team says they’re already working on touching back down on firm ground after reaching such heights without needing to deploy a canopy. Indeed, in a shorter flight earlier that day, Reffet carried out a series of acrobatic maneuvers at a much lower altitude and landed using only the jetpack.

Last year, Reffet and another member of the team flew through Tianmen Cave - also known as Heaven’s Gate - in China’s Hunan Province, after using a helicopter to launch the pilots and their packs.

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