David Copperfield's flying illusion

David Copperfield has performed a levitation illusion in several magic shows since 1992 in which he appears to fly on stage for several minutes, while surrounded by audience members.

During the trick, Copperfield flies acrobatically on the stage, performs a backflip in midair, and then has spinning hoops passed around him, supposedly to prove that he is not suspended by wires.

He then selects a female volunteer from his audience and flies with her in a fashion similar to Superman carrying Lois Lane.

A blue backcloth is used in the background, and the television version uses fake clouds hanging from the ceiling, taking advantage of a larger stage than is used in theatrical appearances.

[1][2] According to the patent, the performer is supported by two fan-shaped arrays of fine wires that remain invisible to the viewing audience.