What Is a Wingsuit?
A Wingsuit is a specialized suit with unique fabric stretched between the hands and feet. It allows for an exhilarating experience of jumping from high altitudes and gliding through the sky, akin to skydiving. The prototype was conceived in France in the 1990s, and it was introduced for sale in Finland in 1999.
Flight with a Wingsuit is often referred to as “Wingsuit Flying” or “Skyflying.” Individuals who fly with a Wingsuit are called “Wingsuit Pilots,” “Wingsuiters,” or “Skyflyers.”
This sport, falling under the category of skydiving, is popular in European countries such as Switzerland, Norway, France, and Italy, known for their numerous high cliffs and minimal regulations.
What sets it apart from traditional skydiving is the ability to change direction and maneuver freely in the air, owing to the use of a suit that provides greater control over flight. However, this increased freedom comes with a higher accident rate, resulting in fatalities each year.
Uses of Wingsuit
Typically made from nylon material that does not allow air to pass through, common and affordable Wingsuits utilize a ram-air structure, incorporating two types of nylon (thin and thick) that inflate and stiffen when air enters. This design not only increases air resistance during the dive, slowing the descent but also generates lift, enabling gliding.
Wingsuit users can achieve speeds exceeding 200 km/h. During landing, a parachute is deployed in advance to decelerate, as rapid deceleration during solo flight is challenging.
The difficulty of maneuvers such as gliding and landing increases, requiring advanced skills, making Wingsuit flying suitable for experienced skydivers who meet specific criteria. Therefore, the target audience for experiencing Wingsuit flying is limited.
Additionally, there are Wingsuits that can be equipped with airplane-like wings made of carbon fiber, known as “Wingpacks.” While these are more expensive, Wingpacks allow the attachment of jet engines, further increasing speed and travel distance. They find application primarily in military contexts.