Adventure & Extreme Sports 🇫🇷France20th century

Wingsuit Flying

Officially Wingsuit Flying / Wingsuit Skydiving

Aviation sport using specialized suit with fabric between arms + legs to enable horizontal gliding flight after skydive/BASE jump. Modern wingsuit invented 1994 by Patrick de Gayardon (France); commercialized 1998 Jari Kuosma + Robert Pečnik (Birdman). Glide ratios 2.5:1 to 3.5:1; horizontal speeds 100-250 km/h; extreme risk in proximity flying.

📐airspace + mountainous terrain⏱~3 min🌤outdoor

Photo · Wikipedia

What is Wingsuit Flying?

Wingsuit Flying is aviation sport using specialized suit with FABRIC ('airfoil') between arms + legs enabling horizontal gliding flight. Modern wingsuit invented 1994 by PATRICK DE GAYARDON (French skydiver + BASE jumper); commercialized 1998 by JARI KUOSMA + ROBERT PEČNIK founding BIRDMAN (world's first commercial wingsuit manufacturer). Precursors: 1930s 'birdmen' (mostly died in early attempts); safe design breakthrough came from de Gayardon's tri-wing airfoil design. TWO PRIMARY FORMS: (1) WINGSUIT SKYDIVING — exit from aircraft, deploy parachute after wingsuit flight (typical altitude 3000-4000m). (2) WINGSUIT BASE (WSBASE) — exit from fixed object (cliff, mountain), no aircraft. WINGSUIT FLIGHT PHYSICS: glide ratio 2.5:1 to 3.5:1 (advance 2.5-3.5m horizontal per 1m descent); horizontal speeds 100-250 km/h; flight duration 60-180+ seconds. VARIANTS: (1) FREEFLY wingsuit (large fabric, big glide, slow). (2) SPEED wingsuit (smaller fabric, less glide, faster). (3) HYBRID wingsuit (balance). (4) PROXIMITY FLYING — flying close to terrain/mountainside (extreme risk, iconic YouTube videos). WORLD RECORDS: Longest wingsuit flight = 9:06 by Jhonathan Florez (Colombia 2012) from 11,358m altitude. Highest horizontal speed = 396 km/h. RISKS: FATAL for MANY wingsuit BASE athletes (Dean Potter 2015, Ilia Amrani 2013, Ludovic Woerth 2013, many others). Wingsuit skydiving relatively safe when parachute deployed at altitude. Modern iconic: Jeb Corliss (survived 2012 Table Mountain crash), Espen Fadnes (Norway), Roberta Mancino (Italy).

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Maintain stable horizontal flight; deploy parachute safely; optionally pursue distance, speed, or proximity flight goals.

Match structure

Non-competitive typically. Competitive: World Wingsuit League (WWL), FAI Wingsuit World Championships (formation + performance), Red Bull Aces (racing).

Rules

Basic rules

Exit from aircraft or fixed object
Skydive from 3000-4000m aircraft altitude; WSBASE from 500-4000m+ cliff.
Enter stable wingsuit position
Arms + legs extended; belly-to-earth stable position.
Fly horizontally
Glide ratio 2.5:1 to 3.5:1; horizontal speeds 100-250 km/h.
Deploy parachute at safe altitude
Skydiving: deploy 1000m+ altitude. WSBASE: deploy at cliff-base clearance.
Land safely under canopy
Standard parachute canopy landing.

Advanced rules

Wingsuit types
Freefly (large fabric, big glide, slow); Speed (smaller fabric, faster); Hybrid (balance). Choose per goal.
Formation flying (skydiving)
Multiple wingsuits fly together; visual bonds essential; group deployment timing.
Proximity flying
Flying close to terrain (5-50m of mountainside); extreme risk; iconic YouTube videos; many fatalities.
USPA wingsuit certification (skydiving)
Requires 200+ skydives; wingsuit-specific training.
BASE wingsuit progression
200+ wingsuit skydives + 100+ BASE jumps required before WSBASE.
WSBASE canopy timing
Track altitude carefully; deploy with cliff-base clearance; parachute opening seconds matter.
Wingsuit performance records
Distance (11.4km Florez 2012), speed (396 km/h), time (9:06 Florez 2012), altitude (7220m Everest Rozov 2013).

Scoring

Non-competitive typically; success = safe flight + landing. Competitive: performance formation, distance, or time records.

Action	Points
Safe wingsuit flight + parachute deployment	Success
FAI Wingsuit Performance Round	Distance/time/speed metrics
Formation flying scoring	Points per formation completed
Red Bull Aces racing	Fastest through slalom gates

Win condition · Non-competitive: safe flight + landing. Competitive: fastest, longest, or most-formations.

Playing area

Called

airspace + mountainous terrain

Dimensions

Wingsuit skydiving: 3000-4000m altitude exit. WSBASE: cliffs 500-4000m+. Proximity flying: within 5-50m of terrain.

Skydiving aircraft altitudes + high mountain cliffs; often scenic locations globally.

Equipment

Wingsuit
Squirrel Aura/Colugo, Phoenix-Fly, Birdman brands. €1500-4000 depending on model.
Parachute + reserve (skydiving)
Standard skydiving rig; €3000-6000 full setup.
BASE parachute (WSBASE)
BASE-specific rig; often no reserve; €2500-5000.
Altimeter + audible altimeter
Critical for pull altitude awareness; €200-500.
Helmet (skydiving or full-face)
€200-500.
GPS + speed tracker
For distance + speed records; €300-1000.
GoPro / helmet cameras
Ubiquitous documentation; €200-500 each.

Officiating

FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) governs wingsuit competitions; USPA regulates USA skydiving certification.

FAI officials (formal competitions)
Event organizers

Strategies

200+ skydives before first wingsuit
USPA requires 200 skydives + wingsuit-specific training.
First flight coaching essential
Wingsuit dynamics unlike belly-to-earth skydiving; instructor + video review.
Master wingsuit skydiving first
Aircraft-exit skydiving has parachute deployment altitude buffer; safer training.
100+ wingsuit skydives before BASE
Extreme progression; WSBASE requires 200+ wingsuit + 100+ BASE experience.
Proximity flying = highest risk
Close-terrain flying killed many; accept as most-dangerous option.
GPS + video review
Analyze flights for form + progression.
Physical fitness essential
Wingsuit flying physical; core + cardio + arm strength important.
Progressive wingsuit sizing
Start with intermediate wingsuit; graduate to large-performance suits with experience.

Terminology

Wingsuit: Suit with fabric between arms + legs; enables horizontal flight.
Glide ratio: Horizontal distance per unit descent; 2.5:1 to 3.5:1 typical.
Wingsuit skydiving: Wingsuit flight after aircraft exit; parachute deployed at altitude.
Wingsuit BASE / WSBASE: Wingsuit flight after fixed-object exit; higher risk.
Proximity flying: Flying close to mountainside/terrain; extreme risk.
Freefly wingsuit: Large fabric wingsuit; big glide, slow airspeed.
Speed wingsuit: Smaller fabric; faster airspeed, less glide.
Birdman: First commercial wingsuit manufacturer (Kuosma + Pečnik 1998).
Squirrel / Colugo / Aura: Major modern wingsuit brands + models.
Phoenix-Fly: Robert Pečnik's manufacturer; leading wingsuit brand.
USPA wingsuit certification: USPA requires 200+ skydives + wingsuit training.
Performance round (competitions): Distance, time, or speed metrics for competition.
Formation flying: Multiple wingsuits flying together.
Track suit / tracking suit: Small-wing alternative; less fabric than wingsuit.

Major competitions

FAI World Wingsuit Championships
biennial · worldwide · since 2015
World Wingsuit League (WWL) Grand Prix
annual · China (Zhangjiajie main venue) · since 2012
Red Bull Aces (wingsuit slalom racing)
occasional · various · since 2014
Formation Skydiving World Championships
annual · worldwide (wingsuit categories included) · since 1980

Where it is played

Governing bodies

FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale)
Founded 1905 · Lausanne, Switzerland
Official site ↗
USPA (US Parachute Association)
Founded 1961 · USA
World Wingsuit League (WWL)
Founded 2012 · China (major sponsor events)

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Patrick de Gayardon (France, 1960-1998) — Invented modern wingsuit 1994; died wingsuit skydiving Hawaii 1998
Jari Kuosma (Finland) — Co-founder Birdman (1998, first commercial wingsuit)
Robert Pečnik (Slovenia) — Co-founder Birdman; designer of Classic + GTi models
Jeb Corliss (USA, b. 1976) — Prominent wingsuit BASE; survived 2012 Table Mountain crash
Dean Potter (USA, 1972-2015) — Wingsuit BASE legend; died Yosemite Taft Point
Espen Fadnes (Norway, b. 1980) — Multiple speed + distance records
Roberta Mancino (Italy, b. 1979) — Female wingsuit athlete; multiple records
Jhonathan Florez (Colombia, b. 1974) — 9:06 wingsuit flight record 2012
Valery Rozov (Russia, 1965-2017) — Highest wingsuit BASE (Everest 7220m 2013); died Ama Dablam 2017

Records

Modern wingsuit invention
Patrick de Gayardon (France) — 1994 tri-wing airfoil design (1994)
First commercial wingsuit (Birdman)
Jari Kuosma + Robert Pečnik — 1998 Finland/Slovenia (1998)
First wingsuit BASE jump
Adrian Nicholas + others — 1999 (from mountain in USA + Norway) (1999)
Longest wingsuit flight duration
Jhonathan Florez (Colombia) — 9 minutes 6 seconds; 11,358m altitude 2012 (2012)
Longest wingsuit flight distance
Jhonathan Florez — 26.8 km (2012) (2012)
Highest wingsuit BASE
Valery Rozov — 7220m Mt. Everest north face 2013 (2013)
Fastest wingsuit horizontal speed
Various — 396 km/h (proximity flying) (2020)
Wingsuit deaths in BASE
Global community — 50+ fatalities 2000-2024 (proximity flying primary cause) (2024)

Learn this sport

beginner

1
USPA A/B/C license skydiving first (200+ jumps)
USPA requires 200 skydives minimum before wingsuit training.
2
First Wingsuit Course ($300-500)
1-day certified instruction; first flight on rental beginner wingsuit.
3
10-50 wingsuit skydives
Build stability + confidence with intermediate wingsuit.

intermediate

1
Buy own wingsuit + progress to larger performance suit
Squirrel Sumo, Phoenix-Fly Vampire; €2000-4000.
2
Formation flying + performance rounds
Coach + video review; compete at Wingsuit Championships.
3
GPS-tracked flights
Distance/time/speed metrics for improvement.

advanced

1
Wingsuit BASE (WSBASE) — 100+ BASE first
Progression: skydiving wingsuit → traditional BASE → WSBASE. 5-10 year progression.
2
Proximity flying — accept extreme risk
Requires 500+ WSBASE jumps + expert coaching; multiple fatalities.
3
Sponsored professional (Red Bull, GoPro)
Media presence + world records; €50K-500K/year top athletes.

Frequently asked

What is wingsuit flying?+

Aviation sport using specialized suit with FABRIC ('airfoil') between arms + legs enabling horizontal gliding flight. Modern wingsuit invented 1994 by Patrick de Gayardon (France); commercialized 1998 by Birdman (Kuosma + Pečnik). Physics: glide ratio 2.5:1 to 3.5:1 (2.5-3.5m horizontal per 1m descent); horizontal speeds 100-250 km/h; flight duration 60-180+ sec. TWO FORMS: (1) WINGSUIT SKYDIVING (aircraft exit 3000-4000m; parachute after flight; relatively safe). (2) WINGSUIT BASE (WSBASE — fixed object exit; extreme risk, many fatalities).

How dangerous is wingsuit flying?+

WINGSUIT SKYDIVING relatively SAFE — similar risk to standard skydiving (0.006% fatality per jump). WINGSUIT BASE (WSBASE) EXTREMELY DANGEROUS — 50+ fatalities 2000-2024. PROXIMITY FLYING (close-terrain) responsible for most deaths. RISK FACTORS: (1) Terrain misjudgment (mountainside strike). (2) Poor exit position. (3) Wind assessment errors. (4) Canopy opening timing at cliff base. (5) Video/GoPro distraction. FAMOUS FATALITIES: Patrick de Gayardon (Hawaii 1998), Dean Potter (Yosemite 2015), Valery Rozov (Ama Dablam 2017). RISK MANAGEMENT: 200+ skydives + 100+ wingsuit skydives + 100+ BASE jumps before WSBASE. Community strict about progression steps.

How do you become a wingsuit pilot?+

PROGRESSION (5-10 years): (1) SKYDIVING FOUNDATION: 200+ skydives (USPA A/B/C license); $10-30K, 1-2 years. (2) FIRST WINGSUIT COURSE ($300-500, 1 day, rental wingsuit): learn flight basics. (3) 10-50 WINGSUIT SKYDIVES on intermediate wingsuit; build stability. (4) BUY OWN WINGSUIT ($2000-4000); progress to performance model. (5) FORMATION FLYING + performance rounds; join wingsuit community. (6) FOR WSBASE: additionally 100+ regular BASE jumps + expert wingsuit BASE course; 3-5 additional years. TOTAL: $30-150K + 5-10 years. USPA + FAI + local skydiving federations regulate certification.

What are the longest wingsuit flights?+

RECORDS (2024): (1) DURATION: 9:06 by JHONATHAN FLOREZ (Colombia) 2012 from 11,358m altitude (Bolivia). (2) DISTANCE: 26.8 km by Florez 2012. (3) SPEED (horizontal): 396 km/h (proximity flying, various athletes). (4) HIGHEST EXIT: 7220m Mt. Everest north face by Valery Rozov 2013 (wingsuit BASE). Records typically require: (a) HIGH-ALTITUDE aircraft exit or mountain launch. (b) OXYGEN + cold-weather gear. (c) GPS + video documentation. (d) FAI certification for official records. Florez died in 2015 wingsuit incident; Rozov died 2017. Modern athletes pursuing new distance records at high altitude (10,000+m). Physics ultimate limit ~30-40 km horizontal from 10,000m exit at 3:1 glide ratio.

What is proximity flying?+

PROXIMITY FLYING = WINGSUIT FLYING CLOSE TO TERRAIN (5-50m from mountainside/canyons/buildings). Iconic YouTube videos: skimming ridges, canyoning through valleys, brushing cliff walls. Popularized 2000s+ by JEB CORLISS + Espen Fadnes + others. EXTREME RISK: seconds from fatal impact if flight path deviates. RESPONSIBLE FOR most wingsuit BASE fatalities. TECHNIQUE: memorize terrain via multiple pre-jump helicopter passes; visualize flight path; execute exact route; deploy parachute at valley bottom. REQUIREMENTS: 500+ wingsuit BASE experience + expert mentorship + specific terrain reconnaissance. Iconic locations: Chamonix France, Lauterbrunnen Switzerland, Zhangjiajie China, Table Mountain South Africa (where Jeb Corliss survived 2012 catastrophic crash into rock face). Considered ULTIMATE EXTREME AVIATION SPORT but ethical debates about promoting it via viral videos to inexperienced newcomers.

Sources & provenance

Wikipedia — Wingsuit flying— Wikipedia

Last verified 2026-08-25.verified