Ceremony of Ascension

From Flash Gordon Wiki

Ascension is a sacred Dactyl ceremony, where young warriors are tested and initiated into the tribe. The main part of this ceremony involves the young warrior jumping off a cliff, to show that he can "fly". If he does not achieve flight, then he falls to the ground and dies. If he does achieve flight, then he is initiated into the tribe and has earned the right to be called a Dactyl.

An Earth boy named T.J. took part in this ceremony in "Ascension".