The History of Wingsuiting: A Skydive Subdiscipline

wingsuiting stw history
What’s the first thought that comes to mind when you think about flying? Most likely, your answer is “wings,” which means it should be no surprise that wingsuiting has a fairly long history despite its recent popularization.  The first known wingsuit skydive was made by Franz Reichelt, also known as “the Flying Tailor,” in 1912 […]

What’s the first thought that comes to mind when you think about flying? Most likely, your answer is “wings,” which means it should be no surprise that wingsuiting has a fairly long history despite its recent popularization. 

The first known wingsuit skydive was made by Franz Reichelt, also known as “the Flying Tailor,” in 1912 when he leapt off the Eiffel Tower in a parachute-wing combination suit design, much like modern-day wingsuits.

Franz Reichelt, the first-known wingsuit jumper.

Rex G. Finney, a 19-year-old from Los Angeles, CA is credited with the first successful wingsuit skydive in 1930. In an attempt to increase horizontal movement and maneuverability for skydivers during a parachute jump, Finney constructed the wingsuit out of materials such as canvas, wood, silk, steel, and whalebone. The design was often referred to as being like a “bat-wing,” and while it was successful and several jumpers like Clem Sohn and Leo Valentin, claimed to have glided for miles, it was ultimately not very reliable.

After much advancement and technological evolution in the sport of skydiving, Patrick deGayardon of France unveiled the modern-day wingsuit design in 1994. The design, which is now the standard for wingsuits, was an adaptation from a model used by Vietnam War veteran and parachutist, John Carta.

In 1999, the first commercial wingsuit was released by skydivers Robert Pečnik of Croatia and Jari Kuosma of Finland under the brand name Bird-man International. The “Bird-man Classic” was the first wingsuit released to the public, and the company Bird-man International has continued to develop and advance wingsuit designs ever since. 

Bird-man International was also the first manufacturer to advocate the safe use of wingsuits by creating an instructor program which guides beginner wingsuit skydivers through a minimum of 200 jumps. Created by Bird-man co-founder Jari Kuosma, combined with the help of Bird-man instructors Scott Campos, Chuck Blue, and Kim Griffin, a standardized program of instruction was developed to prepare wingsuit instructors. 

Today, other wingsuit manufacturers like Squirrel Wingsuits, TonySuits Wingsuits, Phoenix-Fly, Fly Your Body, and Nitro Rigging have developed wingsuits similar to the Bird-man International design and have also instituted similar coach training programs.

Most modern wingsuits have the same basic features: flexible, durable fabric such as extra-sturdy nylon, air inlets and outlets, tougher leading edges, and various features for comfort and safety, such as cut-away arms and reinforced booties. Today’s wingsuits have an upper wing where the arms are and lower wing where the legs are. A recent study by MIT done in 2010 used a mannequin in a wind tunnel to measure the performance of a wingsuit with a third, forward wing. The extra wing was added above the arms and behind the head to increase the aspect ratio, or the ratio of the wingspan squared to the wing area. They found that the additional wing generated both higher lift and drag, meaning that the redesigned wingsuit would have a longer flight time, but shorter flight range. It’s possible we could see this type of implementation in future wingsuit designs. 

Wingsuit skydiving continues to advance, both in design and the sport itself. There are now several different types of wingsuit skydiving categories at both National and World level events, and both wingsuit skydiving and wingsuit base jumping have become popular competitive sports. 

wingsuiting stw history
Skydive the Wasatch wingsuit skydiver.

Are you looking to get into wingsuiting? Our “How to Start your Squirrelsuiting A.K.A. Wingsuit Skydiving Journey” blog is a great resource on how to get started in this amazing sub-discipline of skydiving! 

Additionally, Skydive the Wasatch offers a Wingsuit First Jump Course for those who have completed 200 jumps and are looking to get into wingsuiting next! 

Want more resources? Skydive the Wasatch is happy to help with any of your skydiving needs- whether it’s in regards to wingsuiting, another sub-discipline of skydiving, or anything skydiving or dropzone related at all! Give us a call at (385) 321-0284 or send us an email at info@skydivethewasatch.com for more info!

Addict II Athlete Skydive the Wasatch group photo

Skydive the Wasatch

Utah's premier tandem skydiving center, Skydive the Wasatch is a "refuge away from the stress and weight of life". Located only one hour away from the Salt Lake City metropolitan area and just half an hour from Provo, Skydive the Wasatch offers tandem skydiving over the majestic terrain of the Wasatch Front.
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    Alesha C.
    This was my first time going! The staff was so sweet and fun! The guy i jumped with was amazing and am so fisg I got him! It was way beyond what u expect it was the funnest thing I've done and would 100 percent go back
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    10/15/2024
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    Bryanna J.
    Seriously such an incredible experience start to finish!! Everyone is so kind and knowledgeable. The views are amazing & it was an experience I will never forget!
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    10/15/2024
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    Shane G.
    We went as a group and had a blast!!!!! Everyone there was awesome. They made us feel like part of the family. Thank you guys!!! That was an awesome experience.
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    9/29/2022
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    Adia H.
    Me and a friend went to celebrate us graduating from nursing school. We had SO much fun and both commented on how safe we felt during the entire experience. They were very professional and we didn't wait long to get into the plane! Literally thought about the skydive for a week after it was so great.
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    10/04/2022
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    Chris R.
    I got this as a gift 3 months ago. Have been worried/scared/freaked out since. Finally made the appointment and fretted another month. The day came and I had emotions I’ve never felt before.
    They are such professionals who really knew what they were doing. I’m still ‘high’ on a very incredible experience.
    Thanks to a great staff - a great life changing day - and a great video and pictures to remember/relive it all. This is an awesome company. Dorel Kynaston
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    9/22/2019
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    Kelly Hardy
    Leon and Matt were friendly, funny, and made the experience so exciting! They made sure we were prepared to handle the plummet from 13,000 feet and survive to tell y'all about it.😂 FANTASTIC experience!!!
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    4/18/2023
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    Scott S.
    We had a great time at Skydive the Wasatch!! It was my first time and I was terrified but the guys were great and made it a awesome experience.
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    11/03/2021
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    Sydney L.
    These guys were great, very professional very fun group of people to hurl yourself out of a plane with! Could not have asked for a cooler experience for my first skydiving experience!
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    8/12/2020
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    Cindy B.
    This was the best time ever!!!!! The guys that run the place are so much fun, they really know what their doin.......I will not only go back but I would highly recommend them to anyone!!!!!!! So much fun!!!!!! Can't wait to go again!!!!!!!😁😁😁😁😁
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    3/12/2020
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    Austin W.
    This place was amazing, the instructors were amazing! They were all helpful, nice, and super friendly! They calm the nerves of your first jump very well! The guys that jump with you are the greatest! 10/10 will jump again!
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    11/12/2020

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