Haut-Savoyard Vince Reffet, here in 2017 in the foreground, accompanied by Fred Fugen, his friend from the Soul Flyers duo.

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Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP

Enter a plane in mid-flight, soar from the tallest tower in the world, the Burj Khalifa (828 m) in Dubai, fly alongside an A380 or alongside the Patrouille de France.

All these spectacular feats are the work of “the flying man” Vince Reffet, in the extreme sports duo Soul Flyers.

Fred Fugen's sidekick in wingsuit or Jetman flight (equipped with mini-reactors) died Tuesday in an accident during training in Dubai.

The Soul Flyers, here in 2019 during the crossing at 370 km / h of "the door of heaven" in China thanks to Jetman.

- Predrag Vuckovic

"It is with unimaginable sadness that we announce the passing of Jetman pilot Vince Reffet," said Jetman Dubai spokesperson Abdallah ben Habtour.

Vince was a talented athlete, and a much loved and respected member of our team.

The accident, which occurred at the Jetman base in the desert, on the outskirts of the city of Dubai, is currently under investigation, said Abdullah bin Habtour.

"We have so many dreams and life is so short"

The exploits of this former member of the French skydiving team, associated for 20 years with Fred Fugen (41), have gone viral.

First of all, this video of the sportsman from Annecy taking off from the ground and taking off at an altitude of 1,800 meters, a world first.

To achieve this performance, Vince Reffet was fitted with a carbon fiber wing powered by four mini jet engines.

Controlled by the human body, the equipment allowed the Jetman to reach speeds of 400 km / h, glide, change direction and perform loops.

"It's something unique, there are three of us in the world to be able to do that," rejoiced Vince Reffet in October.

We have so many dreams and life is so short.

This unfortunately stopped on November 17, 2020 for the youngest of the Soul Flyers.

World

The "plane man" takes off at an altitude of 1,800 meters above Dubai

Sport

"An ultimate achievement" ... The Soul Flyers crossed at 370 km / h "the gate of heaven" in China thanks to Jetman

  • Annecy

  • Sport

  • Skydiving

  • Base jump

  • Extreme sport