Project Cirrus - knowledge and training combined.

Project Cirrus - What does it take for a world record attempt in a wingsuit? Well, let's find out.

First of all, what is a wingsuit?

Wingsuit flying is the sport of gliding through the air using a wingsuit. The wingsuit is designed to defy the laws of physics and increase a humans surface area so that the updraft can lift the person, a bit like how a bird flies. The modern wingsuit is a 90s invention and it creates a full surface area with nylon between the legs and under the arms. Wingsuits are also called "birdman suits".

Fraser Conran was the man bold enough to execute and deploy this audacious record attempts. Fraser was one of the first wingsuit pilots globally and with over 1,300 wingsuit jumps one of the most experienced pilots out there. The total distance (when combined) of flying from New York to Mumbai, quite a feat.

Fraser has fallen a vertical height of around one hundred and eight times the distance from the earth to outer space. Although PRINCE2 training is not quite as daunting, this is nevertheless a project...and a big one at that. It requires all the skills, knowledge and versatility that project management requires and definitely needs to be Agile in nature, aking to Agile Project Management.

The world record attempts will push his mind, body and the latest tech' to the limit in the most extreme environment in space. Here is what he’s attempting:

Highest Altitude Jumped in a Wingsuit

The previous record of 37,265ft, the new target is to jump from an altitude of over 40,000ft to break the world record, higher than your average 747 flies on a trip to New York.

Jumping at this altitude requires a huge amount of determination and grit, not to mention skill. As well as the wingsuit logistics, directions and wind speed to take into consideration, the lack of oxygen means Fraser needs a personal oxygen system that can operate at -50°C to -70°C and provide the correct O2 pressure and saturation to stay alive.

Longest Time Flown in a Wingsuit

Fraser’s target is to fly for ten minutes, beating the current world record of 9 minutes 6 seconds and the FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) record of 8 minutes and 28 seconds. Wind speed can be up to 200 miles per hour, so will need to stabilise within a matter of seconds to maintain an optimum position enabling the best glide and time in flight.

Flying at high speed for an extended duration in extreme cold whilst breathing pressurized Oxygen for such a long period demonstrates why physical strength and stamina is so paramount to the success of this challenge.