Wingsuit flyer dies.

As Kye wrote above ” Flight paths are scouted out for sometimes weeks at a time to make sure the route is safe and passable. However the human factor cannot be controlled, or other variables like the weather”.

So I am sure they take as many precautions as they can but ultimately it is a risk calculation, which they decide is acceptable.

Just a thought, I wonder if these chaps take into account updraughts, when skimming a ridge, surly that would cause a few problems?.

Jim.
Lincoln .7

Thank you for your expert input.

Hello all. I’ll reply broadly to the whole thread.

The equipment that was almost certainly used would have been designed for BASE jumping. Although the principles of use and operation are very similar to ‘normal’ skydiving rig, they do not contain a reserve canopy. They are next to useless owing to the low heights BASE jumpers and these types of wing suiters deploy at. A rectangular reserve (round ones are not used in the civilian sector) requires about 500 feet to fully inflate. BASE jumps take place well below this height. It is part of the appeal of BASE and not having a back up.

You possibly could wear a more conventional rig but then that detracts from the idea of opening the canopy very close to the ground. As far as I know, standard systems are not used for it.

The wing-suit element, or proxi-flying as it as know, is really starting to gain popularity. Some people have taken to it so much they have a celebrity like status with the skydiving/ BASE world. For some it becomes their career and life through sponsorship. It is however very dangerous. Flight paths are scouted out for sometimes weeks at a time to make sure the route is safe and passable. However the human factor cannot be controlled, or other variables like the weather.That doesn’t stop a lot of people doing it and getting in to it. The pilots that do it have experience behind them from being in the sky. I very much doubt people just put on a suit and chuck themselves down a mountain. They are easy to fly once you are taught how to use them, but they can make things go wrong pretty quickly too.

Some people embrace it, some people watch and other people shun it. Whatever the take, we all have one life. We might as well enjoy it in what ways we can.

I think, but take don’t this as verbatim, that a few months ago, a French chap also got killed, skimming a Mountain ridge.
At the end of the day, yes, as in many such sports, you know the risk you re taking, and somtimes, have to pay the price. I wonder what thoughts go through their minds when they realise what’s about to happen.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Its not so much what thoughts go through their mind,more like which part of their anatomy, their a–e would be high on my list of suspects!

Good points, well presented. 🙂
I just find not wearing a reserve to be an unnecessary risk.

Tragic all the same mind you.

It’s all about calculated risk, isn’t it? And the flyers would make that assessment and decide the risk is worth it. It applies across so many activities, after all, so it is not that surprising. How many people are now dead who might be alive had they taken more and/or better precautions in whatever activity they were engaged in?

Granted, but is it worth your life?

Bearing in mind the high risk level of Wingsuit flying perhaps the additional weight and perhaps drag of a second chute is a belt and brace too far.

Always. Carry. A. Reserve. Chute.

Wasn’t there one that hit a bridge a few years back?

For sure it’s dangerous but the danger is the thrill. Ban this and they’ll find something else. Human nature to push the limits well beyond where the normal footsteps tread. That is how and why we’ve progressed as a species.

Oh Jim you were lucky to come out of that! I can imagine how scary that must have been! jet wash is certainly no joke!

Student pilot, that’s interesting. I thought they were a new thing.

Jim, I can only imagine it must be an individual thing that goes through their minds; in 2008 when an aeroplane came head on towards the aeroplane I was flying, despite putting my aeroplane into a steep descent I was pretty certain that they were going to take off the tail section of my aeroplane as I descended so I remember maintaining the steep descent and in the back of my head I said goodbye to my family and carried on flying the aircraft. It was to my relief that after a few seconds I realised that they had passed over the top of us, just!

Unfortunately, or fortunately, I too had a similar experience. In a Cessna, and we were decending on the flight path to Fenland airfield, when a Harrier, flew from left to right, “Seeminly” very close to us. The pilot of the Cessna,, had his work cut out, as we were on the edge of the Harriers jet wash, and as such, we were tossed around like a wet rag. Geoff, the pilot reported it as a near miss.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

I think, but take don’t this as verbatim, that a few months ago, a French chap also got killed, skimming a Mountain ridge.
At the end of the day, yes, as in many such sports, you know the risk you re taking, and somtimes, have to pay the price. I wonder what thoughts go through their minds when they realise what’s about to happen.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

IF they have time to think, it’s probably “Oh! ****”.

Student pilot, that’s interesting. I thought they were a new thing.

Jim, I can only imagine it must be an individual thing that goes through their minds; in 2008 when an aeroplane came head on towards the aeroplane I was flying, despite putting my aeroplane into a steep descent I was pretty certain that they were going to take off the tail section of my aeroplane as I descended so I remember maintaining the steep descent and in the back of my head I said goodbye to my family and carried on flying the aircraft. It was to my relief that after a few seconds I realised that they had passed over the top of us, just!

Sad news from China. Don’t know whether this is the first fatal accident with a wingsuit? R.I.P.

http://www.aol.co.uk/article/2013/10/10/tragic-wingsuit-flyers-final-flight/20741937/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cukt1%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D214926

First death was around 1930, winged suits have been round a few years.

I think, but take don’t this as verbatim, that a few months ago, a French chap also got killed, skimming a Mountain ridge.
At the end of the day, yes, as in many such sports, you know the risk you re taking, and sometimes, have to pay the price. I wonder what thoughts go through their minds when they realise what’s about to happen.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

I think I may have mentioned this before, but I’ll repeat it as it’s relevant to this thread.
There was a program on TV a while ago about base-jumpers. One of which also jumped of mountains with a wing suit.
When I started watching the program I decided they were mad, but at the end I changed my mind. It was what the guy said.

“What is life but a series of experiences between birth and death. When I fly down the edge of a mountain moments from death I live more in that moment
than most people experience in their whole lives.”

You know I think he’s right. Most of us experience very little with our lives. Maybe we should do things that scare, excite, terrify us?

I think, but take don’t this as verbatim, that a few months ago, a French chap also got killed, skimming a Mountain ridge.
At the end of the day, yes, as in many such sports, you know the risk you re taking, and somtimes, have to pay the price. I wonder what thoughts go through their minds when they realise what’s about to happen.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Always thought that a death would be due to mis judging their height, not a chute failure. Sad news indeed.

Sad news. I always felt it was inevitably going to happen at some point. Sad all the same. Looks like a fun sport, but as much as I love flying I don’t think I’ll be taking up wingsuit flying!

You can kill yourself enjoying many sports. These ones just appear more dangerous. Ironically his chute failed not his suit.