Wingsuit Flying Over Dubai's Palm Jumeirah

Thousands of feet above Dubai, extreme sports veteran maximignite soars through the sky in a yellow wingsuit, offering stunning views of the city’s man-made Palm Jumeirah islands. Wingsuit flying, an extreme sport that combines skydiving with a specially designed jumpsuit, allows adventurers to glide through the air at exhilarating speeds, and is one of the most thrilling ways to experience the world from a bird's-eye view.

The Wingsuit: A Flight Suit for the Fearless

At its core, a wingsuit is a webbing-sleeved jumpsuit designed to generate lift and control during freefall. The suit has two arm wings and a single leg wing, all fitted with inflatable pressurized nylon cells. These features combine to create a gliding surface that allows the wearer to manoeuvre through the air. Wingsuits enable skydivers to achieve speeds up to 200 miles per hour and glide through the air for distances up to several miles. The suit itself can weigh up to 20 pounds and can cost up to $1,200—making it one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in extreme sports. This product, a small sample of which was produced by Xtreme Element, offers a heightened immersion in the world of skydiving.

The Draw of Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is a man-made island built by dredging sand from the Persian Gulf to create a massive, palm-tree-shaped archipelago. The enormous size of the island extends 8 miles from the Dubai coastline and is visible from space. The island features luxurious hotels, high-end shopping centres, and stunning waterways. With its distinctive architecture and unique design, there are few better places to attempt wingsuit flying. Wingsuits are usually used at a minimum height of 6500 feet before they can open their parachute. With the height of man-made Palm Jumeirah at 100ft in 8 miles, it gives wingsuit flyers ample space to navigate what appears to be a labyrinth of waterways.

Planning for Takeoff

The Launch

Wingsuit flyers typically begin their jumps from an airplane or helicopter. In Dubai, jump zones are often located near major landmarks, allowing pilots to ensure a safe and immediate release of the flyers. After jumping, an optimised launch ensures a clean takeoff and minimises air resistance.

Gliding

The most distinctive feature of wingsuit flying is the gliding phase, where the flier moves through the air. While flying, they can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. This is controlled by the way the wingsuit's cells are inflated. Each suit has inflatable cells that create the aerodynamic lift needed to increase the body's surface area. These cells can be individually inflated or deflated by the flier – changing their body trajectory in flight. As the flier barrels through the air, they can swoop through the cityscape, looping and twisting as they gain speed. In Dubai, the combination of high altitude, warm temperatures, and clear skies creates ideal conditions for wingsuit flying.

The Finale

The final stage of a wingsuit flight is the landing. As the flier approaches the ground, they deploy their parachute to slow their descent. The flier is trained to pull out of their wingsuit before flipping into their parachute. The parachute dictates the gear they need to wear, as the wing of this pack is much larger than a regular skydiving parachute. This means they can try to land close to the ground or even land in smaller spaces.

Wingsuit Flying Glides Past the Competition

Adrenaline Rush

Wingsuit flying is unparalleled in the adrenaline rush it provides. Unlike traditional skydiving, where the focus is on freefall and the rapid descent, wingsuiting emphasizes controlled gliding. This shift in focus allows the flier to experience a sense of flight, rather than just falling. This is why wingsuiters often describe it as an “otherworldly” experience — and why it appeals to a unique subset of adrenaline junkies.

A Unique Sensory Experience

When wingsuit flying over a man-made island like Palm Jumeirah, the flier gets a different experience in comparison to traditional dive sites. They get a clear view of the whole island — something they may not get when jumping from a helicopter. This means they can see the vast difference in landscape, making the dive a lot more unique.

Trying It Yourself

Trying wingsuit flying for yourself can seem intimidating, but starting with the right equipment and training is essential. Training usually begins with learning the basics of skydiving and parachuting. Once a professional is confident in their ability, they are then they can be trained to use a wingsuit.

• Checklist:
  • Training: Before attempting a wingsuit flight — extensively train in skydiving and parachuting. If you have never skydived before, you will need to start with a tandem jump before moving on to a solo jump.
  • Gear: Depending on what kind of wingsuit you have, your gear will differ. However wingsuiting requires a unique set of gear. This gear needs to be able to withstand high levels of force, so it’s important to check with a professional. The most important piece of gear you will need is a body suit and parachute.
  • Safety Precautions: Wingsuit flying is one of the most dangerous extreme sports out there. It’s important to keep in mind your safety should always be your first priority. Always wear a helmet fitted with a camera and ensure your gear is inspected before every jump.
  • Staying Alert: The unique design of Palm Jumeirah means it can be easy to navigate. However it is important to remember that as a flier you are responsible for ensuring you do not run into any obstacles or buildings. This is especially important as your orientation will be constantly changing.

The Lure of the Skies

Wingsuiting is without doubt one of the most dangerous extreme sports practices. Even so, dubai remains one of the most popular places for wingsuiters in the world. This is probably due its large expanse of sky, giving wingsuit flyers a wide area to travel. The mass of Palm Jumeirah is visible from space and is an impressive sight in itself. Make no mistake, maximignite’s leisurely glide over Palm Jumeirah is a showcase of both the beauty of Dubai and the thrill of wingsuit flying.