Extreme sport enthusiasts always dreamed of an attachable rigid-wing system to add airplane-like agility to skydiving. This concept has become quite popular in recent years, and many have claimed it as their sole invention. Nevertheless, the idea goes back deep into the times of Icarus. The photo below shows the trial of a rigid-wing system on an airfield in Moscow, 1935. The designer comrade Sanfirov tries the rigid-wing, his solution for stealth deployment of airborne troops:
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Unfortunately, the history is silent about the fate of comrade Sanfirov and his invention. But the dream of flying solo is still alive. Just few days ago the "rocketman" Yves Rossy flew over Alps with a rigid-wing and jet-pack combo strapped to his back:
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Russian Rigid-Wing Skydiver
I do not know what material he used. But that just seems way to heavy to be able to fly, Especially when you take into consideration how small a wing span he has. I doubt he achieved enough lift to glide around.
He was actually quite
He was actually quite capable of flying around in that.....however he did not take off from ground like an airplane. I believe there are videos of the flight