Richard Browning has been compared with Iron Man superhero Tony Stark. Others might think he is stark raving mad.
By attaching miniature jet engines to various parts of his body, Mr Browning is able to achieve man’s dream of flying like a bird. Most of the time.
At the opening of Dubai’s GISEC security and technology conference on Tuesday , he soared around five metres in the air across a car park, landing successfully in a cloud of dust and at an ear - splitting 108 decibels, about the same as being in the front row of a Motorhead concert.
In the quest to develop his Daedalus suit - named after the father of Icarus who didn’t die after taking to the air in Greek mythology - he has more than occasionally come down to earth with a bump.
For his Guinness World Record attempt last November, for the fastest speed in a body - controlled jet - engine powered suit, Browning sensibly chose an artificial lake for the course.
After reaching a world record speed of 51. 53kph over 100 metres on his third and final attempt, the video shows him plunging into the water in a cloud of smoke and steam, emerging with a broad grin and an inflated life jacket.
“A good flight is a good landing, ” says Browning, 39. He describes the flight level options as “Water - high. Grass - lower. Concrete? Hmm. ”
The suit is made up of six micro gas turbines, each capable of 22kg of thrust, or 1, 000 horsepower.
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