The real-life James Bond: Incredible moment daredevil paraglider flies into a moving cable car in the French Alps
- Arnaud Longobardi, 43, spent a year preparing for the breathtaking stunt
- The run had to be timed to perfection to avoid slamming into the cabin
- At only 150m up there would have been no time to pull a reserve chute
It's a stunt that wouldn't look out of place at the start of the latest James Bond film, but this is 100 per cent real with no special effects or safety net involved.
In what is believed to be a world first, daredevil paraglider Arnaud Longobardi flies directly into the cabin of a moving cable car 150 metres above the rocky slopes of Chamonix in the French Alps.
The 43-year-old professional 'speed flyer' had to time his run to absolute perfection in order to soar directly in through the open door at just the right speed.
Incoming: Paraglider Arnaud Longobardi prepares to swoop in through the open door of a moving cable car
A freak gust of wind could have spelled disaster - a fraction too slow and the parachute would have collapsed, too fast and My Longobardi could have punched straight through the other side of cabin.
And because the cable car was only 150 metres above the ground it is unlikely there would have been enough time for him to open his reserve parachute if something went wrong.
Everything appeared to be going like clockwork as Mr Longobardi flew straight through the cable car door into the arms of his friends.
Mr Longobardi sets off from a slope on the side of a mountain in the ski resort of Chamonix in the French Alps
The paraglider begins his run towards the cable car travelling at around 80kph. It is believed to be the first time a stunt of this kind has been attempted
Skill: As Mr Longobordi approaches the cabin he slams on the brakes and slows to around 35kph
But in a heart-stopping moment his parachute caught the wind and it appeared he was going to be pulled back outside.
Fortunately his friends managed to secure him to the inside of the cabin using carabiners and he was able to raise his arms in triumph
He told the Telegraph: 'I have been thinking about this flight every day for a full year before I did it,
'I thought through all the challenges - speed, angle, and height - all the different scenarios from the take off, to the approach, to the landing.
In we go: Mr Longobardi's friends grab hold as he sails into the cable car around 150m above the ground
The team struggle to keep Mr Longobardi inside the cabin as his parachute catches the wind and threatens to drag him back outside
Home and dry: The team celebrate as the fearless daredevil is safely secured inside the cabin
'I was travelling at over 80kph in flight. When I was about 200 meters from the cable car I had to reduce my speed to 35kph so I didn’t fly through the cable car!
'A tricky piece of skill that could have resulted in me stalling and potentially missing the car. I really cannot find the words that describe how elated I am to have completed this flight.'
When he's not performing incredible stunts or competing in speed flying tournaments Mr Longobardi works as a pilot for Air France.
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