You can't land on, uhh... land. That's why I came up with the idea of landing on a lake. They are going 100 mph, so if you try to "walk it out", it could get ugly.

They're getting pretty close to landing wingsuits. There's a guy already landing with a 35 sq ft. canopy. He's a little guy, but that canopy is tiny. I used to watch him climb into the plane holding it in his arms, then pack it while on the plane with everyone crammed around :eek:

They'll be doing it one of these days. These nuts are always willing to push the envelope, no matter what the penalty.

but why such close order skimming? won't the suit work in open space? are the air currents more uniform near a surface? or is it all about the perception of their land speed?

sure it works in open air, but it's not as exiting

+ mountains generate updrafts, which gives em extra lift

I have done this in the Benar region of Venezuala--as SVD said, the updrafts are what keep you up--I'd elevate 20-30 meters over 200 (guess) meters of vertical space. The key is to "hug the rock" as they say. If you feel you're getting too tight to the "rock", you tip a bit away but not too much--you don't want to end up on your back or you're fu--screwed. It'd be cool to land in a lake but you're still hitting at 100+--could be done but that's about 2X what I'd feel comfortable with. It'd make a water skiing wipeout look like a jump in the pool.

The hike to the "point" took close to six hours--we left at 4 am, damn cold....tough to get a breath, physically and emotionialy. I chose to "coast" in a pair of plain old Nike wrestling shoes--good ankle support. Wind pants and a breaker from REI are enough--the temp is the last thing you're thinking of after you take "the step".

When you finally "drop", the force hits your arms immediately. Your bicepts and tri's burn like hell but the rush takes over. Stomach, quads, and toes are tight and tense...

After a while. (probably 20n seconds?) it all gels.

You realize you're flying.

Slight panic attack ensues, but that ends very quickly as you inhale...then exhale...and don't inhale for another 4? seconds.

Briefly you realize that your Spag Raggler helmet and your Forminder 3 goggles won't do **** if you slam in to the rock, but you don't care...

I meant horizontal space--sorry