Wing-suiting: extreme sport that makes flying possible

Wing-suit is a special suit that is used to help people fly. Those who are passionate about this extreme sport are called wing-suit flyers. What are the peculiarities of this sport?

Types of wing-suit flying

The first and the most popular type of wing-suit flying is an individual flight at the height of 3.5-4.5 kilometers. However, there are more types of this sport. Each of them has its unique characteristics.

• Wingsuit B.A.S.E. This type is known as jumping from stable object located on the land at approximately small height. Base-jumpers try to spend as much time flying as possible by choosing squirrel suits which reduce vertical speed to 11 meters per second. At the same time, on condition that the weather is god and there is some wind, it is possible to fly at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour.
• Proximity flying. This type of wing-suit flying is quite similar to B.A.S.E. flying, but the accent is on the last letter of this abbreviation which stands for “Earth”. Sportsmen jump from mountains and rocks and try to stay as close to the hills and other objects as possible. Usually such flights are registered with the help of a video camera that is attached to the body of the jumper. Sportsmen cover a distance equal to 5 kilometers in mountains, after that they open their parachutes and land on the flatland.
• Group flying. In terms of this jump wing-suit fliers form something similar to a flock that consists of 12 persons. Usually such flights start at the height of around 4-4.5 kilometers and lasts for 5 minutes. There is a leader who shows the direction of movement. Not only do sportsmen spend some time in the air, but also they show different tricks and create various figures while flying. They can move either vertically or horizontally. At the height of 1.5 kilometers they ungroup to feel safe when opening their parachutes and landing.
• A.L.O. flying. This type of wind-suit flying involves jumping from the highest points possible. A sportsman who started his flight at the height of 11.2 kilometers set the world record. On the one hand, it is possible to stay in the air for 15 minutes. On the other hand, the temperature is too cold and there is very little oxygen so this is the most dangerous variation.

Requirements

There are several things that are required for those who want to try wing-suit flying.

• Complete a course at a flying school.
• Be an active participant of a parachuting club.
• Have an official permission for flying.
• Do a control jump to get the permission in case you still do not have it.
• Have experience in parachuting (200 jumps are required).
• Have a wing-suit that fits you.
• Take out insurance that can cover most expenses in case of an injury.
• Have a medical permission to fly.

In addition, it is recommendable that you take some lessons on group jumps and acrobatics. Some experience in free-flying will also come in useful because you must be able to operate your body in any position.

Equipment and ammunition

Before setting off on such a journey, you need to rent or buy ammunition and equipment. By that we mean buying a squirrel suit that fits you perfectly, wearing a helmet, a pair of gloves and boots. Also, two parachutes (one of them will be extra) and a mechanism to measure heights. All the things mentioned above may be found in the local parachuting centre or bought in a specialized shop.

Wing-suits

Special clothing used by sportsmen is often referred to as a squirrel suit or a birdman suit. These suits have three wings that consist of two layers. Two wings are located between body and arms, while the third one is situated between legs. Their construction makes it possible for the wind to hold a person in the air.

Nowadays, there are three major companies producing the suits. They are: ‘Squirrel’, ‘Tony suits’ and ‘Phoenix Fly’. Those who want to buy a wing-suit must be warned that the prices are really high: the cheapest squirrel suit will cost you approximately $400, whereas the most expensive one might cost up to $3000. Remember: the bigger the wings, the more professional is the suit and the more expensive it will be.

How to control the suit

To control the trajectory of the flight and control the wing-suit, it is necessary to move your body by changing the position of your arms and legs or changing the angle of incidence. This is why some background experience in free-flying is important. Remember: the more accurate the movements of your body, the better you will control the situation.

How to land

The rules of landing are similar to the ones of any other parachuting sport. They are:

• A sportsman should begin the landing at the height of 150 meters.
• At the height of 100-150 meters it is necessary to bend your knees.
• It is of paramount importance to keep your legs tense and land on both feet.
• Since it is impossible to stand firm on one’s feet when landing, it is better to fall on your side carefully.

Landing is considered to be the hardest part of wind-suit flying, which is why it is vital to follow the steps mentioned above.

Risks

Wind-suit flying is a dangerous sport that is concerned with many risks. They are generally divided into two groups: the ones that may occur while jumping off the helicopter and the ones that are caused by problems while flying. What are the possible risks?

• Wrong landing that might be caused by a collision with other sportsmen or by weather conditions;
• Malfunction of the parachuting system or the wind-suit;
• Mistakes concerned with choosing the trajectory of the flight;
• Underestimation of the landscape peculiarities;
• Unstable flight.

Amazing records

Let us get acquainted with some records set by wing-suit flyerd.

• In 2017, Fraser Corsan managed to fly at the speed of 397 kilometers per hour.
• The highest average speed was 325 kilometers per hour.
• Jonathan Flores managed to stay in the air for 9 minutes 6 seconds.
• Also, he set another record: the highest jump of his was at the height of 11358 meters.
• The longest distance covered in a wind-suit is 332 kilometers.

History

How did this sport appear? The first attempts to fly were made by and Austrian tailor in 1912. They were unsuccessful, but they inspired many people to start looking for ways of flying. However, it was such a dangerous period that flying with the help of such mechanisms was prohibited in 1950s. Back in 1990s, though, Patrick de Gayardon created the first wing-suit with three wings. This form of squirrel-suits is now used worldwide.

To sum up, wind-suit flying is an extreme sport that requires a lot of background experience. Also, it is concerned with many dangers, that is why it is crucial to move carefully and check all the equipment and ammunition in advance to avoid being injured.