(RNN) - The man who claims to have completed the world's first drone jump from high altitude expects to see other skydivers following his lead.
Ingus Auguskalns was lifted by a 28-propeller drone from atop a 393-foot communications tower on May 12 to 1,082 feet. He let go of handlebars suspended from the drone and deployed his parachute.
"Definitely also my friends skydivers all over the world will be excited about these new opportunities," he said. "We live in an exciting time."
Augstkalns said the drone lifted him quickly and easily from the tower of the Latvian State Radio and Television Center.
He predicted the drone would have important uses, a point stressed by Janis Putrams, the pilot of the drone.
"Already in the near future, our technology will save human lives, will help to fight fires and carry out other challenging and significant work," Putrams said. "With this project, we show that wer are ready for serious tasks in the field of civil defense and sports."
Preparing six months for the jump, the team carried out tests that included flights with jumper over the river Daugava.
Copyright 2017 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
