Austrian skydives from Jungfrau to break three world records

Austrian wingsuit pilot Peter Salzmann set three jump records yesterday while testing a new wingsuit over the Jungfraujoch. Originally derived from water sports, “foil” technology provides greater buoyancy, allowing for longer flight times. Salzman flew without an engine for nearly six minutes, covering a distance of 12.5 kilometers and an altitude difference of 3,402 meters. Here are the highlights from the flight:

With this jump, the Austrian also set world records for the longest fixed-point flight time, the longest fixed-point flight distance, and the largest fixed-point jump from takeoff to landing.

The wingsuit foil is composed of foam core and 3D printed parts. It is shaped like an airplane wing, with a wing length of 2.1 meters and a weight of 5.45 kilograms. It improves gliding efficiency and lift for wingsuit flight. Development of the foil took three years, with six prototypes tested in collaboration with Austrian wingsuit expert Andreas Podlipnik.

Due to aerodynamic optimization, the design increases the gliding rate of a typical wingsuit by nearly 50%. “With a normal wingsuit we can achieve a good glide ratio of 2.6 to 2.8, with a maximum of 3, which means 1 kilometer down and 3 kilometers forward,” Podlipnik said. With foil you can almost double that value.

Successful landing despite crosswinds

Jungfraujoch is the highest peak in the Interlaken region. It is a famous destination for experienced BASE jumpers and is known for its stunning scenery and dramatic cliffs. It also provided perfect conditions for Saltzmann's jump, as long-distance flights are possible and large amounts of data from other flights can be obtained. This means that flying with hydrofoils can be compared to “traditional” flying.

Salzman's flight took place in cold and windy conditions – from a ledge on the north side of the mountain at an altitude of 4,063 meters. With temperatures ranging from -5 to +9°C and wind speeds of up to 37 km/h, Salzmann reached a top speed of 200 km/h and flew for a total of 5 minutes and 56 seconds before opening his parachute. After landing he said he had to wait for the crosswinds to subside before flying because they were dangerous. He also had to battle cramps and a foggy mask. Still, the jump was “crazy” and he enjoyed it. (Left)

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