Posted on 01/24/2010 6:08:18 AM PST by JoeProBono
Casting a kaleidoscope of colour against a cloud-filled sky, these jumpers boldly plummet towards a skydiving record. The 68 daredevils came together in a near-perfect diamond to make up America's largest ever wingsuit formation.
Wingsuits are specially adapted bodywear that give added control during skydives.
With flaps of material running across the gaps between their arms and legs the suits increase drag and allow the wearer to glide like a flying squirrel.
The record-breakers - who came from 16 different countries - jumped from four planes at 13,000 feet over Lake Elsinore, California. President of the group behind the American record, Raise the Sky, Taya Weiss, 32, said that some onlookers had even mistaken them for a UFO.
She said: 'The jump lasted for over a minute, with the whole formation travelling approximately two-and-a-half-miles across the ground.
'After a full year of holding skills camps and smaller records all over the world, each jumper on this formation had to be qualified before being allowed to join the team.
'We did 15 jumps at this event, seven of which were using all four planes together, before achieving the record.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Yep, flying squirrels dressed up for halloween or enroute to a disco party........not sure which.
Way cool. But just another thing I will never do.
Heh...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2435396/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2435501/posts
Heh...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2435396/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2435501/posts
Ahh Flying Squirrel Style Kung Fu resurfaces once more
WOW! A real example of folks learning to cooperate.
Amazing!
...nuthin’ up muh sleeve... presto! [roar] Don’t know muh own strength.
Cool photos. Scary glide ratio! They jumped at 13,000 feet and proceeded to fly 2.5 miles, which is about 13,000 ft! A 1:1 glide ratio. I’m sure it’s quite a ride.
Better than 1:1 because they probably opened at 2500 or so feet.
1:1 would be messy.
As I climbed into the cockpit of the Antique Navy T-6, the Instructor strapped a chute on my back.
“What’s that for?”, I asked, “I’m not skydiving today.”
“If you hear the words ‘BAIL OUT! BAIL OUT! BAIL OUT!’ , three times, unbuckle your seat belt, open the canopy, stand up, jump as far away from the aircraft as you possibly can, and pull on this red thing right here, OK? These old pratt and Whitneys have a tendency to stall out. Still wanna fly it?”
“Sure.”
My 50th Birthday present to myself.
left that other site does her thing.
Timing your landing flair-out on a 1:1 glide slope would be tricky! ;-)
ping
That’s awesome even though it makes me a little queasy. lol
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