Real-life Iron Man takes flight in Dubai

Dubai - Richard Browning and his jet suit with enough power to sweep up to 90kg off the ground, at a maximum height of 70 feet at 54km per hour

Richard Browning, inventor of the gravity jet suit, took flight today for the first time in the eastern hemisphere.
Known as the Daedalus Mark 1, Browning has flown in 16 countries with the suit, but said: "Dubai is the hottest place I have ever flown in, and it was a great technical test to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate the approximate 40°C temperature, at Dubai World Trade Centre. It was a great achievement!"
So how did this English engineer get the moniker of "real-life Iron Man"? Of course, good looks and a lean figure do play a part, but the real clincher is the leather suit - worth £250,000 - with enough power to sweep up to 90kg off the ground, at a maximum height of 70 feet at 54km per hour, for up to 5 minutes.
Browning said: "The capacities do depend on certain factors such as outside temperature and how much fuel is carried."
The jet suit is created by attaching a series of micro gas turbines (miniature versions of what private jet airliners fly with) to the arms and back of the suit. As the turbines are fired, air blows downwards, defying gravity and lifting the person and 45 kg of equipment upwards.
The control and manoeuverability of the suit is not AI-driven as some may think; your own control and balance must drive the suit in the right direction. "It's quite simple: if you point the turbines down, you go up; and if you point them out, you go down." The endeavor all started two years ago, as "just as a bit of fun" Browning said. "I personally like a challenge and this challenge was as big as they come - to take on something that was supposed to be impossible. It was a wonderful feeling to have a breakthrough like this." Any man or woman who is reasonably fit can fly the suit. A new flight experience hangar has just been set up in the UK suit, and the experience will soon branch out and be available to the rest of the world.
crystal@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai