newsmakers

newsmakers

Man performs aerial loops with jet wings

BERCHER, Switzerland

Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy jumped from a hot-air balloon Friday and completed two aerial loops using just his custom-made jet-propelled wingsuit — the first time such maneuvers have been performed.

It was just the latest daredevil stunt by the former fighter pilot who hopes one day to fly through the Grand Canyon.

Rossy, 51, launched himself from a replica of the Breitling Orbiter — the first balloon to be piloted nonstop around the world in 1999 — at an altitude of 7,874 feet near Lake Geneva.

Then he fired up the jets on his new — smaller and sleeker — wingsuit to perform the loopings before landing safely with a parachute.

Rossy declared himself “very happy and satisfied” with Friday’s stunt, which comes two years after his first successful flights over the nearby Swiss Alps.

The extreme-sports enthusiast has since flown across the English Channel and last year tried to cross the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco to Spain. That attempt ended in failure when Rossy ditched in the sea due to strong turbulence.

Rossy said he still is hoping to fly through the Grand Canyon in Arizona but is waiting for permission from U.S. authorities.

Miss. court date set for actor Gary Collins

JACKSON, Miss.

A Dec. 9 court date has been set for former TV host Gary Collins, who was cited on allegations of leaving the scene of an auto accident.

Jackson police officer Colendula Green said an arrest warrant was prepared for Collins, but the citation was handled through his attorney.

Green said the 72-year-old actor reportedly hit a car at a stoplight Tuesday. Collins reportedly exchanged information with the other driver but said it was taking too long for police to arrive and left, according to authorities. An officer went to his house and wrote him a ticket.

Green said another citation was issued after the other driver pressed charges against Collins for purportedly leaving the scene.

Collins is married to former Miss America Mary Anne Mobley of Mississippi.

Associated Press