Yves Rossi always launched from an airplane in flight, so Reffet has introduced an important but incremental advancement. It’s interesting to watch the pilot’s feet which are in constant motion below the engines’ thrust line as he maneuvers in hovering and forward flight - a crude form of thrust vectoring?
The aerobatic maneuvers were performed at considerable altitude and, it appears, with nearly zero fuel. It suggests their outcome was not entirely assured. The demo leaves me wondering how long it took Reffet to build those control skills and whether he made use of a protective tether early on.
All that said, this was a truly breathtaking demonstration and I wholeheartedly share Paul’s enthusiasm.