Thursday, March 26, 2009

Human red arrows

In harmony: The BirdMan wingsuit display team perform in Germany

Once within 3,000ft of the ground they open a parachute and float to earth.

It might look terrifying but Mark Harris, 35, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, who also films the jumps, says: 'It's actually not as dangerous as you might think. I've never had a major accident yet.'

It may look terrifying but Mark Harris, 35, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, who also films the jumps, says it is one of the most 'liberating' and 'peaceful' experiences possible.

Mark, 35, from Kettering, Northants, said: 'For years sky divers have been trying various formations during jumps so this provided a framework for the jumps.

'But we have studied Red Arrow formations and how they move through the air, which gave us a lot of inspiration.

'It's actually not as dangerous as you might think because, although you're flying through the air at more than 120mph, you're actually only falling at about 40mph.

'The suit is as close to the sensation of flying as you can get, and enables you to glide rather than just free fall.

'Once you are in formation it is one of the peaceful experiences imaginable and you can't help but have your breath taken away by some of the views.'

The extreme sport of wingsuit jumping started in 2002 but has grown in popularity and evolved into formation sky-diving.

The team - called Topgun' - has members from Denmark, Sweden, Britain and Holland and jumps all over Europe in formations including up to 16 divers.

Mark, who has taken part in more than 6,000 wingsuit jumps, added: 'Wingsuit jumpers are experienced sky divers who want to try something different.

'I've never had a major accident yet - there have been a few mid-air collision but we usually just laugh it off and get back in formation.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1163439/Pictured-The-Human-Red-Arrows-leap-planes-13-000ft-wearing-just-wing-suits.html

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