PREVIEW

Austrian wingsuit pilot Peter Salzmann set new world records with a groundbreaking wingsuit foil flight at Switzerland’s Jungfrau mountain on 23 October 2024.

Jumping from an altitude of 4,063m, Salzmann achieved a flight of 12.5 km in just under six minutes, setting records for Longest BASE Flight Time, Furthest BASE Flight Distance, and Biggest BASE Jump from start to landing.
Developed with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the wingsuit foil—resembling a hydrofoil with a 2.1-metre wing and weighing only 5.45kg—doubles typical wingsuit glide efficiency without engine propulsion, enhancing both lift and range.

Facing temperatures as low as -5°C and winds up to 37 km/h, Salzmann reached speeds of 200 km/h, ultimately flying for 5 minutes and 56 seconds before deploying his parachute.

The Jungfrau, a renowned destination for expert BASE jumpers, provided the ideal dramatic backdrop for this historic flight.

The wingsuit foil, a result of three years of development and six prototypes tested with Austrian wingsuit expert Andreas Podlipnik, nearly doubles the wingsuit’s glide ratio through aerodynamic optimisations.

“Today’s flight was just like being in space; it was challenging but also the best feeling,” Salzmann remarked. “I’m super happy everything went well.”

Inspired by hydrofoil design, the wingsuit foil’s 2.1-metre sandwich-constructed wing incorporates a foam core and 3D-printed components.

Podlipnik explained, “With the foil, we almost double the glide efficiency, covering more distance from the same starting point.”
Collaboration with Red Bull Advanced Technologies helped refine the foil’s aerodynamic profile, enhancing lift and glide. Lightweight and portable, the final foil prototype attaches to the torso, allowing easy hiking and significant lift during flight.

Salzmann’s achievement not only advances his personal career but also represents a significant leap for the wingsuit sport.

Marco Fürst and Marco Waltenspiel of the Red Bull Skydive Team, who joined Salzmann for their world-first flight through London’s Tower Bridge in May 2024, praised the innovation, with Waltenspiel saying, “Peter’s wingsuit-foil project is truly groundbreaking, merging traditional wingsuit precision with advanced foil technology for efficient gliding without engines.”