Dubai officially transformed science fiction into reality this week by hosting the world’s first-ever jet suit race. The “Dubai Jet Suit Championship” saw eight elite pilots take to the skies over Dubai Marina, zipping across the water in high-tech suits reminiscent of Marvel’s Iron Man.
The groundbreaking event, organized by Gravity Industries in partnership with the Dubai Sports Council, Skydive Dubai, and XDubai, took place against the backdrop of the city’s iconic skyline.
The jet suits, engineered by British firm Gravity Industries, are a marvel of modern aeronautics. Each suit is equipped with five gas turbine engines—two on each arm and one on the back—delivering a staggering 1,500 horsepower. This immense power allows pilots to reach speeds of up to 128 km/h (80 mph) while maintaining precise control through body movements.
The competition featured a 1-kilometer course marked by inflatable buoys. Pilots navigated the 3D racecourse at low altitudes, often just meters above the water’s surface, which served as a safety cushion for the high-speed maneuvers.
The race drew high-profile attention, including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who met with the pilots and praised the spirit of innovation behind the event.
After a series of intense knockout heats, the podium was dominated by a trio of British pilots:
1st Place: Issa Kalfon (Gravity Industries’ Deputy Head of Flight Training)
2nd Place: Paul Jones
3rd Place: Freddie Hay
“Everything’s hot, the engines are screaming at you, and when the flag drops, you just absolutely go for it,” said champion Issa Kalfon. “It’s a moment of pure adrenaline.”
The event was not without its dramatic moments. Emirati pilot Ahmed Al Shehhi, who underwent intensive training in the UK to become the first Arab jet suit racer, suffered a crash during his heat. Al Shehhi plunged into the water at high speed but surfaced seconds later, smiling and giving a thumbs-up to the rescue teams, much to the relief of the thousands of spectators at Dubai Harbour.
The success of the inaugural race has sparked discussions about the future of aerial sports. Richard Browning, founder of Gravity Industries, noted that while the technology currently mimics science fiction, its applications in search and rescue, paramedics, and entertainment are becoming increasingly tangible.
As Dubai continues to position itself as a global hub for innovation and extreme sports, the Jet Suit Grand Prix serves as a powerful reminder that the future of flight is no longer over the horizon—it has arrived.
