Skydiving with a wingsuit is an exhilarating discipline that combines the thrill of ‘ordinary’ skydiving with wearing a jumpsuit with wings! It’s a high-risk, high-reward activity that requires dedication, skill, and careful preparation. If you’re wondering how to get into wingsuiting, this guide outlines the essential steps to begin your journey to the big, bad suit – safety-first.
What Is Wingsuit Skydiving?
A skydiving wingsuit, commonly referred to as a squirrel suit by the general public, is a special sort of jumpsuit with panels of fabric that run between the arms and torso, and between both legs. Wingsuits allow jumpers to travel further horizontally than anyone doing a traditional skydive can.
Wingsuiting adds a significant layer of complexity to a standard skydive. Not only does the jumper have to do everything that someone wearing normal clothing or a traditional jumpsuit does, but they need to do so while wearing a constricting suit. For example, the main parachute deployment is done the same way, i.e. by throwing the pilot chute. But a wingsuiter needs to worry about slowing their forward speed and being able to effectively toss the pilot chute while their arms are restrained. Wingsuiting is intimidating, but when done with the proper training, it can be one of the most rewarding and exhilarating disciplines in the sport!
How To Start Wingsuit Flying
1. Do A Tandem Skydive
Your first step of how to get started wingsuit flying is doing a tandem jump! A tandem skydive introduces you to the sensation of freefall and parachuting while securely attached to an experienced instructor. This is crucial for beginners because it allows you to experience the sky without needing to manage the technical aspects of the jump, like deploying a parachute. The tandem jump helps you gauge your comfort level with all the sensations brought on by the skydiving environment.
2. Get Your Solo Skydiving License
After you complete a tandem skydive and inevitably fall in love with skydiving, you’ll pursue your solo skydiving license. Licenses are awarded by the United States Parachute Association (USPA) and range from beginner to expert – A License to D License.
3. Work Your Way To 200 Skydives
How many skydives before wingsuit jumps become an option? The minimum is 200 before putting a wingsuit on – which may seem like a lot right now, but the time to get there will fly by (literally).
Is wingsuit flying legal in the US? Yep! Many people wonder this when they see BASE jumpers or BASE wingsuits getting knocked by law enforcement. What’s the difference? BASE jumping is done from an object, like a rockface or antenna, while skydiving is done from an aircraft, like a plane or helicopter. Although BASE is illegal in certain areas of the US and the world, wingsuiting from an airplane is not. (That said, not every dropzone allows wingsuiting – be sure to check that it’s permissible before manifesting.)
4. Take A Wingsuit First Jump Course (FJC)
Before you make your first solo skydive, you’ll go through a First Jump Course, or an FJC. These courses take part on the ground (about 6-8 hours) and end by doing your first solo jump! When people learn to wingsuit, they go through something similar with a reputable wingsuit coach.
How can you find a course? Call your local dropzone or check their events page! If there’s none near you, search online or check out a recent issue of Parachutist Magazine, which is published by the USPA and boasts tons of events at dropzones worldwide.
5. Get Your Own Wingsuit!
When you’re learning, chances are you’ll be renting a wingsuit. But what about when it comes time to take that next step? Ah – decisions, decisions! Similar to parachutes, there are different types of wingsuits for different purposes and skill levels. Meaning, the guy with 2,000 skydives ripping the skies on a teeny-tiny canopy and super fast wingsuit does so because of his experience. A beginner will start with something much more docile.
How much does a skydiving wingsuit cost? It depends! New, beginner-friendly suits are around $1k, while more advanced models can be a few thousands dollars. This is why many people rent until they know what they want, and even then, loads of jumpers will buy used before buying new.
6. Never Stop Learning
Okay, you got your license, you did the wingsuit FJC, and now you have a few wingsuit jumps under your belt. Now what? Don’t stop learning! Remember: complacency kills. Work with wingsuit coaches on the regular to refine your skills and nail down the harder-to-get techniques. Like many skydiving disciplines, there are multiple wingsuit progression and skills camps put on throughout the year at various dropzones. These camps specialize in varying disciplines and skill levels – there’s something for everyone, so don’t miss out on these great opportunities to continue learning.
Is Wingsuit Safer Than Skydiving?
Nope! Conventional skydiving isn’t “safe” – jumping out of a plane is inherently risky – but a wingsuit adds another layer of risk, or rather increases the number of things that could be less-than-advantageous during the process of skydiving. It’s a common misconception that wingsuiters fly their wingsuits straight to a soft landing on the ground. This isn’t the case, as they’re travelling at well over 100 mph forward! Wingsuiters only utilize their special suit for the freefall portion of the skydive, and then they deploy their parachute and land like other skydivers.
Are You Ready?
When learning how to wingsuit skydive, always remember to prioritize safety, learn from those who are certified, never be afraid to ask questions, and go at your own pace – everyone is different! Do you see wingsuit skydiving in your future? Get the process started and book your first jump today! Blue skies!