We happened to post video of what these folks were up to, see after the jump.
From Yahoo (who appear to have some sort of syndication deal with AFP), November 17:
Frenchman Vince Reffet, part of the "Jetman" team which has performed groundbreaking stunts above Dubai using jetpacks and carbon-fibre wings, was killed in a training accident Tuesday, a spokesman said.
The Jetmen have pulled off a series of dramatic flights over the Gulf city, soaring in tandem above the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa and alongside an Emirates Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial airliner.
Stunts elsewhere in the world, including swooping into an aeroplane through a small door in mid-flight, and flying through China's famed "Heaven's Gate" archway in the mountains of Hunan province, drew huge audiences on social media.
"It is with unimaginable sadness that we announce the passing of Jetman Pilot, Vincent (Vince) Reffet, who died this morning, 17 November, during training in Dubai," Jetman Dubai spokesman Abdulla Binhabtoor told AFP.
"Vince was a talented athlete, and a much-loved and respected member of our team. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who knew and worked with him."
The accident, which happened at 36-year-old Reffet's Jetman base in the desert outside the city, is now under investigation.
"We are working closely with all relevant authorities," Binhabtoor said.
Reffet's exploits went viral earlier this year, with video of him taking off from the ground and climbing to 1,800 metres (nearly 6,000 feet) over Dubai's waterfront, in a feat reminiscent of Marvel's "Iron Man"....
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September 21
UAE: This isn't your ordinary jetpack
******
This is extraordinary
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) February 17, 2020
The Crown Prince of Dubai @HamdanMohammed just posted this video: "A major milestone in the quest to achieve 100% autonomous human flight."
The milestone is about speed (and perhaps altitude)
This isn't your ordinary jetpack...watch the whole clip pic.twitter.com/SoDquf5IAv
