Flew Over 32 MPH In The Contraption

The man who created a homemade "Iron Man" suit for himself is now the proud owner of a Guinness World Record for "fastest speed in a body-controlled jet-engine powered suit."

Engadget relays a report from the U.K. newspaper The Mirror indicating that Richard Browning and his Daedalus suit flew 100 meters at a speed of 32.02 miles per hour (about 28 knots). He got the record by default, as no one else has ever flown a body-controlled jet-engine suit in a  record attempt. He is the first listed holder of the record.

Browning first came on the aviation scene back in March, according to Engadget. The Daedalus suit cost about $50,000 to put together. He had partners who helped defray some of that cost. But since then, Browning and his company Gravity have raised a lot of money for further development of the concept. A recent investment round brought in $650,000 on top of hundreds of thousands that had previously been raised.

According to the Guinness organization, the record flight took place at Lagoona Park in Reading, U.K. in celebration of Guinness World Records Day 2017 (Thursday, November 9). Adjudicator Pravin Patel was on hand to verify the achievement, making sure that the speed was measured accurately over a minimum distance of 100 meters.

The Iron Man suit is made up of six kerosene-fueled micro gas turbines, which each have 22 kg of thrust. The record was set on his third and final timed attempt, before dropping into the lake. By that point though it didn't matter because Richard had made already history with Gravity’s game-changing invention.

Once he was back on the ground, Richard said: “I am delighted we have set the record. I’m very proud indeed to be a part of Guinness World Records Day, it is a pleasure and a privilege to have our unique creation recognised and celebrated all round the world.”

(Images provided with Guinness World Records news release)

FMI: Endgadget, Guinness News Release