The wingsuit, or wingsuit flying, is often portrayed as one of the most extreme forms of air sports. Behind the spectacular images, however, the discipline is based on precise technical principles and strict supervision.
The principle is simple: membranes connect the arms and legs and, by inflating with air, create lift. The practitioner no longer falls only vertically but transforms their trajectory into horizontal flight, reaching speeds over 200 km/h. The parachute remains essential for landing.
The idea of gliding equipped with wings is not new and dates back to the early 20th century. In 1912, Austrian Franz Reichelt tested a suit from the Eiffel Tower, without success. For decades, these experiments remained marginal due to lack of materials and aerodynamic mastery.
It was not until the 1990s for a truly viable approach. Frenchman Patrick de Gayardon perfected the suits and helped structure modern practice.
“Proximity flying” in the 2000s takes the logic further: flying as close to the terrain as possible. Popularized by Loïc Jean-Albert, the discipline reduces the margin of error to just a few meters at high speeds.
Access remains supervised. In France, the French Parachuting Federation requires approximately 150 jumps before starting. Practitioners often accumulate much more experience.
Despite this, the risk remains. An estimated twenty people die each year. In 2020, Vince Reffet, a major figure in the sport, died during training. A reminder that in wingsuit flying, mastery never completely eliminates danger.
While wingsuit flying is often seen as the most extreme sport in the world, its danger lies as much in its conditions of practice as in its media exposure: highly supervised, it nonetheless remains one of the few sports where the slightest mistake can be immediately fatal.
