This has already been done. A United States Air Force pilot jumped from a balloon back in the late fiftes or early sixties. I have been on the road since this thread started and have not been able to get all the details. The person in question was a Major at the time of the jump and retired as a full Colonel and the last I heard he is still alive. He also has an airport named after him somewhere in the US.
Among many records he set are:
1. First man in what is now accepted as outerspace.
2. Higest parachute jump.
3. Exceeded the speed of sound without a vehicle.
Anyway good luck to the Frenchman, but it's already been done.
Sorry, I didn't read all the replies, It was Colonel Kittinger and I don't think he got a bonus, it was just his job.
[This message has been edited by con-pilot (edited 24 October 2000).]