He was known to have entered a mid-air plane in 2017, to have soared from the tallest tower in the world, the 828m high Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, but also to have flown next to a A380 from Emirates and Patrouille de France in 2016 ...
The long list of spectacular feats of Vince Reffet, 36-year-old Frenchman who had acquired the nickname "flying man", ended abruptly on Tuesday in Dubai where he was the victim of a fatal accident during training .
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"It is with unimaginable sadness that we announce the passing of Jetman pilot Vincent (Vince) Reffet, who passed away this morning, November 17, during training in Dubai," said the spokesperson for Jetman Dubai. , Abdallah ben Habtour.
An open investigation
“Vince was a talented athlete, and a much loved and respected member of our team.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all who knew and worked with him, ”he added.
The accident, which occurred at the Jetman base in the desert on the outskirts of the city, is currently under investigation, said Abdullah bin Habtour.
The champion, a former member of the French parachuting team, had been associated for 20 years with Fred Fugen, his Soul Flyers sidekick, with whom he soared in wingsuit or jetman (equipped with mini-reactors).
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His exploits went viral earlier this year, with a video showing him taking off from the ground and soaring to an altitude of 1,800 meters, a world first.
To achieve this feat, Vince Reffet was fitted with a carbon fiber wing powered by four mini jet engines.
Controlled by the human body, the equipment enables the Jetman to reach speeds of 400 km / h, hover, change direction and perform loops.
"Life is so short"
The Jetman Dubai team also includes a UAE apprentice pilot, Ahmed Al Shehhi.
“It's something unique, there are three of us in the world […] There is everything to do, everything we do is something new,” Vince Reffet had rejoiced in an interview with the AFP in October.
"We have so many dreams and life is so short," said the youngest of the Soul Flyers.
With Fred Fugen, Vince Reffet also crossed the famous Gate of Heaven at the end of 2019 - an opening 130 m high and 30 m wide, in the mountainous park of Mount Tianmen, located in the province of Hunan, in the south of the China.
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