Features

Published on August 19th, 2015 | by FII Reader

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What are Wingsuits?

By David Duffy

What are Wingsuits?

By definition a wingsuit is a jumpsuit which transforms the wearer into an aerofoil creating lift during free-fall “the art of flying the human body through the air using a special jumpsuit that shapes the human body into an aerofoil which creates lift” (Dictionary.com, 2013). The wingsuit provides the pilot with the ability to increase his or her glide ratio, enabling large distances to be covered while maintaining manoeuvrability. “Wingsuits are capable of travelling tremendous distances from standard exit altitudes when compared to a standard skydiver”. (USPA, 2012)

Summary of Wingsuit Performance Competitions

Wingsuit performance competitions are a multi-task event. Competitors compete in 3 rounds, each comprised of three individual flights. The rules for these events are based on the well established FAI F3B class for model-sailplanes to measure the different aspects of high-performance flying. This format measures the three different performance parameters of flight. The three combined categories that make up each round are time, distance and speed. These parameters are recorded within a specific altitude window of 3000m to 2000m and judged using Flysight® GPS units and Paralog® PPC software.

Competition Tasks

For the time task, the time spent in the evaluation window will be recorded; the longer you stay in the competition window, the better. For the distance task, the horizontal distance covered over ground while in the evaluation window will be recorded; the further you fly while in the competition window, the better. For the speed task, the highest average horizontal speed over ground achieved while in the evaluation window will be recorded; the further you fly in the shortest time while in the competition window, the better.

The jump aircraft ascends to the required altitude and drops competitors 90 degrees to their intended flight path. These flight paths form like swimming lanes and competitors deploy parachutes at staggered altitudes for safety as illustrated.

Paralog ® Flight Data Graph

2015 Planning

It is our intention to attend the majority of the PPC Wingsuit Performance World Series 2015 events and a number of additional International competitions when announced if possible. The preliminary dates are as follows

Competition Planning for the “Irish Wingsuit Team 2015”

International Training Planning                                                                             

Competition Achievements

Competitions 2011/2012

Competitions 2013

Competitions 2014

Competitions 2015

(O). Open Class
(I). Intermediate Class   
(R). Rookie Class

Tags: Irish Wingsuit Team, Wingsuits

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