The weather had other plans, but what unfolded at Skydive Chicago was more than a record attempt, it was the rebirth of the mega-ways.
More than 260 FS (belly) skydivers made the trek from across the United States and approximately 47 countries around the world to participate in the largest formation over U.S. airspace since the 2002 Go Fast 300-way at Skydive Arizona in Eloy. Skydive Chicago, a true skydiving resort, hosted this incredible event promoted as the “dueling 200-ways.”
While the belly flyers’ goal was to establish a new Illinois State Record (surpassing the 246-way), the freefly group was shooting for a new World Record of 200, which would smash their current 164-way.
Planning the Impossible
To say that no stone was left unturned is an understatement. Doug Barron, with the help of the ownership and staff at SDC, had planned this event for three years. SDC has an impressive fleet of Skyvans and Otters, but far short of the lift capacity needed.
- Paraclete XP provided two Casas and an Otter
- Skydive Midwest provided an Otter
- Air Ohio provided an Otter
- Martin Aviation provided the Sherpa
Portable fueling stations were built to keep the fleet turning quickly between groups. SDC began buying and stockpiling oxygen bottles months in advance to ensure supply. Two-hour alternating takeoff windows were established between the groups. Mechanics stood ready to fix any aircraft issues (and with Skyvans, it was almost a given they’d be needed!).
Industry vendors, food trucks, packers, pickup vehicles, loaders, and a world-class team of plane captains and videographers all combined to make the dueling 200-ways seamless. Details such as starting the event a day early for the freefly group, hosting a welcome dinner and pep rally, and even adding a DJ in the staging area created a truly unique event.
A Family Reunion in the Sky
It felt like a giant family reunion. With so many people, it took nearly two days before I had a chance to talk to long-time big-way friends I hadn’t seen in years.
As with most big-ways over 100 jumpers, the first one or two days were warm-ups. The 108-way base trained while smaller groups built their sectors. The entire formation included 12 sectors surrounding the base, requiring everyone to learn the sight pictures and practice tight approaches to avoid congestion.
Weather Throws the Curveball
Despite the meticulous planning, the one factor beyond control had other ideas: weather.
- Days 1–2: Only two jumps were completed out of six planned. One base jump was lost due to miscommunication, resulting in a premature exit miles off the DZ. Some even landed in the parking lot of a strip club — an accidental demo!
- Day 3: A complete weather shutdown.
- Day 4: Two surreal plane rides. On the first, cloud cover forced a go-around at 19,000 feet. Once back on jump run, two planes ran out of oxygen two minutes before exit. From takeoff to landing: an hour and a half. Longest skydive plane ride ever! Later that day, as we ascended through 15,000 feet, ATC shut us down entirely. Wicked storms and tornadoes near Chicago forced an evacuation of the control center, leaving major airports scrambling to handle jetliners.
Finally, Blue Skies
Day five brought blue skies and three jumps as a full group. But by then, the base was struggling with builds that should have been ironed out days earlier. Organizers worked late into the night making cuts and reassignments to strengthen the core.
By Friday morning, the formation had been trimmed from 258 to 250. After multiple dirt dives, the first jump showed promise, with a stronger base and sectors beginning to dock. Cloud cover canceled the second attempt. The third and final jump yielded the biggest build yet, with clean setups in the sectors — but still short of a completed record.
More Than Numbers
Some might call it a failure, but in truth this was the rebirth of the mega-ways. No formation larger than 200 had been attempted since 2017. More than half the belly flyers had never been in a formation bigger than 150. The sight pictures and distances, especially from the outer-plane slots, were unlike anything many had ever seen.
The group’s energy and positivity never faltered. Skydive Chicago executed flawlessly on logistics, and the mutual support between the belly and freefly groups was inspiring. Both amazed spectators on the ground with the formations, the starbursts at breakoff, and the canopies filling the sky.
If records were easy, they’d be boring. The chase and the struggle make success that much sweeter when it’s finally achieved. This was not an ending. The freeflyers set a new World Record at 174. The belly team walked away hungry for more. The 250 was only the beginning.
Thoughts From Other Participants
Nadya Narváez – Ecuador: “An event that many dreamed of being part of. I deeply treasure this experience when I look at it through the lens of time: 20 years ago, when I first met the great legends of this sport as just a rookie, I didn’t have the chance to fly with them. But I listened to my father talk about those figures with deep admiration. He would come back full of stories, photos, and videos of his other family in the sky. Seeing his eyes shine and his smile brighten as he remembered those moments planted in me the desire to one day experience that same happiness, the kind only this great sky family can bring.
Many have goals like big ways, medals, or records. For me, the goal was to meet those people, to fly with them, and to feel that indescribable emotion. I never imagined it would all happen at the 250-way: seeing two generations united, receiving and passing on the legacy of big ways, sharing with the world the message that “belly flying is an individual flight that only becomes efficient through teamwork.”
I was fortunate to recognize and fly alongside world-class figures: champions, record holders, great event organizers, cameramen. We shared a historic moment where our new generation reached the level of those greats. I learned lessons you only understand by living them: that the organizers chose each one of us not only for our skills but also for our attitude. And it was true, because that made this event one that left no disappointments, only the desire to come back, along with the joy of having met wonderful people from all over the world, united by the same passion, connected on the same frequency, keeping emotions high.
Everywhere you looked, we all shared the same mission: to believe that everything was going to work out. That’s why we went up into those planes again and again, driven by faith. Trusting our leader and, if someone faltered, there was always another ready to bring out a smile. That was invaluable. We were the chosen ones… and we will be back for more. Thank you, ALL AMERICAN BIG WAYS.”
Steven Lefkowitz – US national 4-way champion:
“What stood out most to me was the positive attitude of all the participants. There was a pervasive sense that each jumper, all the organizers, and the entire staff at sdc were doing their best, while at the same time keeping good perspective when we were confronted by setbacks out of our control. We were hit by a lot of punches on this event, and yet it was some of the best attitude I’ve seen throughout the whole week. I don’t believe that was a coincidence. It was driven top-down by Doug’s inspiring attitude.”
Dave Schwartz – Chief Pilot of the Dueling 200-Ways:
“In my 20 years of flying at Skydive Chicago this was the most ambitious and rewarding formation project that I have ever been a part of. The entire flight department set a very high bar in terms of safety, professionalism, and precision flying. I’m very grateful to have been a part of that team.”
Andreea Pistea – Romania
“Big ways have their special kind of magic. All those people sharing the same goal, the camaraderie, the determination, the fight, dreaming the same dream. Flying and exiting from an 11- plane formation is mind blowing, nothing bits that feeling! We are indeed privileged for having the opportunity to do it, under the incredible drive of Doug Barrons’s leadership. Having two 200+-way teams on the ground and in the air was quite an experience. Hats off to the whole Skydive Chicago’s team for all their work!”
Anthony Ebel – Skydive Chicago GM, S&TA, Instructor
“It takes a massive team all working together. Rook, Matt and Doug’s crazy vision, Tracey’s behind the scene organization, Donovan’s and Dave’s innovative ideas in plane staging, refueling and a million other moving parts that all had to work together. It was possible only thanks to the hard work of the staff, volunteers and participants.”
