Peter Salzmann, an Austrian wingsuit pilot and extreme sports enthusiast, has consistently redefined human flight’s potential. Known for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, he previously became a human rocket by incorporating an electric propulsion system into his wingsuit. Now, Salzmann returns with a new feat: a wingsuit enhanced by a unique foil system with a record-breaking performance.
Salzmann’s journey is anything but ordinary. For most people, reaching 186 mph (300 km/h) in a wingsuit might be enough to consider retiring from such high-risk pursuits. But Salzmann isn’t an average thrill-seeker, he has continuously pushed the boundaries of wingsuiting, previously by working with BMW Designworks to develop an electric-powered wingsuit.
Collaborating with Andreas Podlipnik, another wingsuit expert, and the skilled engineers at Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Salzmann spent three years crafting and fine-tuning a 6.9-foot foil wing. Through a meticulous process involving six prototypes, countless tests in a Stockholm wind tunnel, and precise adjustments in design, they finally achieved a model ready for real-world application. This unique foil attaches to the torso and incorporates insights from F1 aerodynamics, resulting in a lightweight (12 lb) yet durable structure that breaks down for easy transport.
On October 24, Salzmann’s historic jump took place on Jungfrau, one of Switzerland’s most iconic peaks. From a ledge at 13,330 feet, he assembled his gear, checked his action camera, and leaped off the mountain, embarking on a breathtaking glide. The resulting flight shattered three world records, with Salzmann covering a horizontal distance of 7.7 miles (12.5 km) in 5 minutes and 56 seconds, surpassing Dean Potter’s 2011 record by 3 miles. This jump also set a new mark for the longest BASE jump flight time.
As Podlipnik explained, the foil system significantly improved the wingsuit’s glide ratio, taking it from a typical 2.6–2.8 to nearly 3.7, meaning Salzmann could travel much farther horizontally per unit of vertical drop. “With a normal wingsuit, we achieve a good glide ratio of 2.6 to 2.8, maximum 3… With the foil, we can almost double in efficiency, gliding flatter and even further, covering more distance from the same starting point,” he shared.
Salzmann’s groundbreaking leap also set a record for the largest BASE jump drop, with a staggering altitude loss of 11,161 feet, culminating in his landing in Lauterbrunnen. Notably, his accomplishment stands apart from other wingsuit records achieved from aircraft, as BASE jumps must originate from fixed points, such as buildings or mountains, rather than planes or helicopters.
This achievement raises the question of whether Salzmann and his team have paved the way for a new discipline in wingsuit flying, or if this incredible feat will stand as a one-of-a-kind milestone.
Regardless, his jump represents the timeless human quest for unbounded freedom in flight, a desire that may inspire future athletes to attempt similarly bold records, either with foil technology or other approaches.
Source: Red Bull