LOS ANGELES (REUTERS) - High above the California desert, skydiver Luke Aikins stepped out of a plane, with no parachute.

The 42-year-old daredevil became the first person to jump from 7,620m and land in a net.

The net, set up in Simi Valley just west of Los Angeles, measured 30m by 30m and was about 60m off the ground.

Aikins was free falling for about two minutes before he flipped onto his back and hit the net.

After he was lowered to the ground he hugged his wife, Monica.

"I mean I'm almost levitating, it's incredible, this thing that just happened. I mean the words I want to say I can't even get out of my mouth. It was all these guys, everybody who made this thing happen. The guys wrapping me up and helping me do this, it was awesome," said Aikins.

The jump is a personal best for Aikins and world record for the highest jump without a parachute or wing suit.