Now arriving on board ... at 6,000ft

Skydiver Patrick de Gayardon shows his amazing new trick . . . flying into a plane in mid-air.

He jumps out at 6,000ft, flies through the air, then steers himself back in through the cabin door.

"It's the most incredible feeling," says Patrick (inset). "The fact that you are flying across the sky rather than falling through it takes your breath away."

The 37-year-old Frenchman developed the technique that he calls "Wing Flight" with the help of aerodynamics experts. He straps on a special suit that has wings fitted under the arms and legs. Tilting his body slightly upwards, he achieves a lift effect similar to that of the wings of a plane. This slows his fall to around 56mph and increases his horizontal speed to 112mph.

"It is as if you have got a huge suction pad behind you," said Florida- based Patrick, who has twice been French parachuting champion.

"When I first tried it, I had done my sums and knew I should be able to move forward, but I couldn't imagine what it would be like. Then when I did it it was the most incredible feeling. I was screaming my head off with joy."

Patrick already holds the record as the only man to jump from 12,700 metres without oxygen.

But his new trick really takes your breath away.

Copyright 1998 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.