Austrian wingsuit pilot Peter Salzmann broke three wingsuit records last week with new technology developed in partnership with Red Bull. On October 24, Salzmann leaped off a Swiss mountain at a starting altitude of 4,063m, eventually covering 12.5km over five minutes and 56 seconds.
The feat set records for Longest BASE Flight Time, Longest BASE Flight Distance, and Biggest Base Jump (from start to landing).
But as Salzmann shared in a post-jump interview, he’s less interested in etching his name in the record books than in advancing his thrilling (and famously dangerous) sport. Think of him as the da Vinci of BASE jumping.
Peter Salzmann pilots his groundbreaking foil wingsuit. Photo: Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
“I want to advance things, develop something further, and not be satisfied with the current state of development,” the athlete said. “We wanted to fly further than what has been flown before. I’m not really about records, I’m more into the innovation side, discovering new flying equipment.”
The equipment in question is a specially modified electric wingsuit with a foil and hand-controlled throttle. The additions were partially inspired by the sport of hydrofoiling.
It took Salzmann, collaborator Andreas Podlipnik, and the Red Bull team three years, six versions, and hours of wind tunnel testing to get the foil just right. The final product has a wingspan of 2.1m and includes 3D-printed elements.
Check the video for an intimate glance at the groundbreaking flight:
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Wingsuit purists might take issue with the modifications, but for Salzmann, 37, anything that keeps him soaring with the birds is a victory.
“When I’m on the ground, I long for what I can’t do,” he said. “Everyone has their passion. For me, it’s flying.”
