Fusionman flies across the Channel

Yves Rossy, known as Fusionman, jumped from a plane more than 8,200ft above the ground and soared at more than 100mph over one of the world's busiest shipping lanes powered by four jets on his homemade wing.

The 49-year-old daredevil took less than 10 minutes to fly from the French coast to the white cliffs of Dover. He then parachuted safely to the ground.

Rossy, whose day job is an airline pilot, traced the route of French aviation pioneer Louis Bleriot who became the first person to fly across the Channel in a plane 99 years ago.

It was third time lucky for Rossy, who had to twice postpone the attempt earlier this week because poor weather conditions made any bid too hazardous.

On Thursday a late build-up of cloud in Dover hampered visibility and forced the second postponement.

Inside the plane, he exchanged "high fives" with his crew before he balanced himself on a step thousands of feet above ground with his compressed wing strapped to his back.

Final checks were then carried out on his wing before his jets were fired up and he leapt from the aircraft and across the Channel before he started to climb.

He parachuted on to British soil near the South Foreland lighthouse. After landing with a bump, he waved and smiled as ambulance crews stood by.

Rossy said he felt "great, really great". "It was just perfect. I'm in a dream.....I just showed that it is possible to fly like a bird," he said.