{"id":59536,"date":"2025-06-12T16:22:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T16:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=59536"},"modified":"2025-06-23T16:50:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T16:50:09","slug":"4-key-wingsuit-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/4-key-wingsuit-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Key Wingsuit Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wingsuit flying is powerful, fast, and complex and small mistakes can have big consequences. Whether you’re new to wingsuiting or pushing the limits, these four core wingsuit skills often make the difference between a safe flight and an incident.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The Exit: Entering the Airflow, Not Jumping Out<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Instability issues and spins often start with a poorly executed exit.<\/strong>
A clean exit sets your angle of attack and proximity with other wingsuiters from the start, and often for the rest of the flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For beginners:<\/strong> take an athletic stance at the door. Once you\u2019ve spotted the DZ, give your friend the nod, count it out, and enter the airflow \u2014 think of it like diving into a wave at the beach. Avoid over-arching or exiting chest high, which can land you a date with the rear wing.
Spoiler alert:<\/em> doing that won\u2019t win you any popularity points with the pilot, the DZ, other jumpers, or your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So remember: enter the airflow symmetrically, like diving into a wave, and aim to be level and flying 30\u201345 degrees off jump run from the start.
Why fly 30\u201345 degrees off jump run?<\/strong>
It creates clear airspace below the door in case you \u2014 or someone behind you \u2014 has a bad exit. This way, they\u2019re less likely to fall into another flyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice mock exits<\/strong>, and always be aware of aircraft type, tail clearance, and exit order coordination.
Tip:<\/strong> always inform manifest that you’re doing a wingsuit jump, and ask the pilot about power reduction. A clean exit starts with a clean setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Clean exits are a high priority<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Out of Control Flight: Spins and Stalls Start with Mismanagement<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Flat spins aren’t a mystery, they’re asymmetric stalls, usually caused by poor angle of attack and wingsuit configuration. When you lose airflow over the top surface of the suit for too long, you lose lift and can stall your wingsuit. This often leads to instability and, sometimes, the dreaded flat spin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recovery demands immediate action: arch, look at the ground, dive to increase airspeed, and you\u2019ll most likely fly out of it. Most pilots either over-input or freeze.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barrel rolls and recovery techniques should be practiced intentionally in training. If you’ve never trained instability recovery on purpose, you’re overdue.Tip:<\/strong> Learn what “good airspeed” feels like on your suit. Practice flying at different angles of attack : steep and fast, flatter and slower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Dan Darby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Situational Awareness: Flight Patterns and DZ Landings<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Landing off isn’t a joke, it\u2019s a red flag. So is failing to communicate your flight plan, flying an erratic line (especially back over jump run), or ignoring wind conditions. You’re not just flying for fun; you’re navigating shared airspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every wingsuit flight needs a deliberate plan from exit to opening, especially when flying with others or near a busy DZ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your flight should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n