Organized by the Dubai Sports Council in collaboration with Gravity Industries, the event took place against the backdrop of the city's iconic skyscrapers and luxury yachts.
The competition saw pilots navigate a one-kilometer course, weaving between 12 inflatable obstacles placed in the water. The unique three-dimensional aspect of the race, with pilots maneuvering above, below, and around each other, added an exciting challenge to the event.
Gravity Industries, founded by Richard Browning in 2017, designed the jet suit using a combination of five engines in a 3D-printed polymer, aluminum, and titanium suit. With a power equivalent to a Bugatti Veyron sports car, the jet suit can reach speeds of up to 136 kilometers per hour. Pilots control their flight by adjusting the direction of their arms.
Despite the adrenaline-fueled excitement, safety remains a priority, with jet suit crashes likened to falling off a motorcycle. Gravity Industries conducts low-altitude flights over water or grass to minimize risks.
The event's winner, Issa Kalfon, secured first place, with British pilots Paul Jones and Freddie Hay following closely behind. The competition showcased not only the entertainment potential of jet suits but also their broader applications in industries such as search and rescue, medical services, and military defense.
Gravity Industries has previously collaborated with the Great North Air Ambulance Service, testing jet suits in the UK's Lake District to expedite emergency responses. The British Royal Navy and Royal Marines also explored the use of jet suits for quick shipboard boarding.
While the showcase served as a spectacular introduction to the sport, Gravity Industries aims to establish a championship in Dubai next year, featuring a larger field of at least 12 competitors. The hope is to inspire global interest and demonstrate the versatile applications of this cutting-edge technology.
In the words of Richard Browning, chief test pilot and founder of Gravity Industries, "To a lot of our audience, this is science fiction coming to life." The company envisions sparking the imagination of people worldwide, turning childhood dreams inspired by characters like "Ironman" into reality.
