Wingsuit Pilot Flies at 550kph – Shattering Three World Records

Most folks come into the world with their feet firmly on the ground, but Sebastián Álvarez was meant to soar. This former Air Force pilot and avid surfer swapped riding ocean waves for cruising through the sky. As Chile's boldest wingsuit pilot, he's pushed the limits of human flight. Nicknamed 'El Ardilla' (The Squirrel), Álvarez pulled off what seemed impossible, and probably hadn't even crossed most people's minds, by smashing three wingsuit world records in just one flight, and by a huge margin.

Wingsuit flying isn't just an extreme sport; it's like a dance with physics and gravity. Experts like Álvarez wear custom wingsuits that boost the surface area between their arms and legs, letting them glide through the air. This gear turns a person into a living, breathing aircraft, creating lift that lets them cover amazing distances. As the sport has developed, it's gotten more competitive, with trailblazers like Álvarez always pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Sebastián Álvarez grew up in the coastal town of Reñaca, where he got into the world-famous surf scene from a young age. Even though he dreamed of flying, Álvarez spent his teenage years on the World Cup circuit with the Chilean Junior National Surf Team. But he never let go of his flying dreams, so he joined the Air Force to become a pilot. As he got more comfortable in the air, he got really into solo flying, which led him to a career in skydiving, BASE jumping, and eventually wingsuit flying.

Álvarez's triple world record flight, known as the Red Bull Starman Mission, was a project five years in development. It was Álvarez's initial vision upon becoming a Red Bull athlete. Leveraging his military aviation experience and strong self-confidence, he aimed to extend the limits of human flight beyond previous achievements.

"It's about breaking three records in a single jump in a wingsuit," Álvarez explains. "This includes the record for distance, speed and duration. These records have been broken, but they have always been individual: athletes focus only on distance, speed, or duration and I wanted to take it to the next level, or the next three levels."

Álvarez's accomplishment is particularly remarkable due to the contrasting nature of these records. Each one required distinct techniques and body positions, necessitating precise adjustments throughout his descent.

The three records:

1. Speed: Álvarez reached 550 kp/h, flying faster than an F1 car by harnessing the Earth's jet streams. The previous Guinness world record had stood at 397 km/h.

2. Distance: He travelled over 53.45km, almost double the distance of the previous official FAI record of 29.06km. This also meant he covered more than a marathon distance in just over 10 minutes.

3. Time: With a flight time of 11m 1s, Álavarez's flight was exactly 1.30s longer than the previous official FAI record of 9m 31s. He demonstrated extraordinary endurance, maintaining a body position that would feel like a two-hour plank.

To achieve this unparalleled accomplishment, Álvarez utilized state-of-the-art equipment tailored for his mission and possessed a profound comprehension of the mental framework necessary for success.

When asked about the flight before takeoff, Álvarez noted: "I think that two things, the cold and the oxygen, are my physical limitations. But, on the other hand, I had to look for the perfect day. I have to work on patience to be able to look for wind currents that can help me find that speed and that will take me to the distance I want to cover."

His custom wingsuit included aerodynamic wingtip extensions that enhanced the wings' aspect ratio, thereby improving glide performance akin to that of an airplane. The larger surface area demanded exceptional strength and technique to manage.

Special fairings around his feet reduced drag, enhancing both speed and glide efficiency. And beneath the suit, Álvarez wore an electric-powered thermal system to protect against the extreme cold.

His helmet was specifically designed for this mission, incorporating a sophisticated oxygen system akin to those used by fighter jet pilots. The custom mask safeguarded against temperature and wind while ensuring the oxygen exhaust valve remained unfrozen, preventing a potentially deadly failure. Most importantly, a communications system delivered GPS data every three seconds, offering Álvarez precise details about his speed and glide ratio.

Preparation for Álvarez's record-breaking flight was a multifaceted journey that went far beyond physical training, incorporating sophisticated psychological preparation and meticulous risk management.

On his physical conditioning, Álvarez targeted specific muscle groups critical to wingsuit performance: "The upper back, upper trunk, back, scapula, shoulders and neck – the wings." His training was adaptive, constantly testing and modifying equipment. "I did tests with a prototype," he said. "I know one didn't work for me, so I had to move on to another one and modify it. One of the most unique aspects of Álvarez's preparation was his work with highly technical oxygen training. "When your oxygen fails, there are certain symptoms you can recognise, but if you're not trained, you won't be able to feel them."

His approach to mental training was deeply systematic, drawing from his military aviation background. "When I was a pilot, they always taught me that I couldn't take off in a plane without having a plan A, a plan B and a plan C," he explained. This philosophy translated directly into his wingsuit preparation.

By combining rigorous physical conditioning, advanced physiological training and sophisticated mental preparation, Álvarez transformed a seemingly impossible challenge into a calculated mission.

Álvarez's accomplishment transcends the wingsuit community. It demonstrates what's possible when human determination meets meticulous preparation and technical innovation.

For the everyday athlete, entrepreneur, or dreamer, Álvarez's journey highlights universal truths about achievement: groundbreaking success stems not from sudden, miraculous events but from consistent dedication and gradual progress. His five-year quest to set three world records demonstrates that major accomplishments are achieved through patient, strategic preparation.

"Since I was a child, I've dreamed of flying," he reflects. "In the end, this project reflects my entire life story."