If you want to do something extraordinary, there's always risk involved. I was always willing to take that risk.

I once wanted to be a stuntman. I was constantly on the front pages when I was a base jumper. But if I were a stuntman, my name would only appear right at the end of the closing credits, even though I'd risked my life for others.

Normally, when I skydive, even in winter, I wear very thin gloves. I want to be flexible, with fast reactions.

I'm now a member of a pretty small club.

I want to find a nice decent job as a helicopter pilot.

Aviation - and space travel, in particular - have always been especially captivating.

If the Wright brothers hadn't put their lives on the line, we would not be flying around the world these days. So we need pioneers.