Photo Gallery Becoming Batman
A parachutist outfitted with the Gryphon wing system. Conceived as a recreational device, the wing has caught the eyes of militaries around the world.
The device also has a parachute, necessary for landing.
Gryphon designer Alban Geissler (left) and parachutist Frank Carreras prepare a test jump. The wing is still a bit on the unstable side.
Testing the Gryphon high above Germany. Erich Jelitko falls away from the plane. Just a couple seconds before, Frank Carreras led the way. He is only visible as a tiny spot on the bottom edge of the photo.
Wing wearers can fly through the air at 200 kilometers an hour.
When the fliers reach the ground, they deploy a parachute in the wing to sail gently to the earth.
Militaries are interested in the Gryphon due to its special operations potential.
Erich Jelitko after his test flight. The wing is still a bit unstable in flight.
The Gryphon can carry some 20 kilograms of cargo, enough to lightly equip a soldier for battle. Here, Jelitko demonstrates the equipment soldiers could bring with them -- with a toy rifle.
The science-fiction flyer was supposed to make a cameo in a James Bond film, but the stunt was apparently vetoed by Pierce Brosnan.
