The first thing I always tell these people is that this is a marathon, not a sprint—and an expensive one at that—which can take years to achieve. Patience is essential.
First and foremost, it’s essential to complete the AFF (Accelerated Free Fall) course at a skydiving centre. In Spain, there are several across the peninsula, and more are opening all the time.
I’ve done AFF—what now?
After the course, complete 200 jumps before wearing a wingsuit. Beginner suits are smaller, offering fewer performance features but greater safety, ease of handling, and agility for acrobatics—common in competitive flying.
This number of jumps ensures the necessary skill to manoeuvre confidently in freefall without endangering oneself or others.
I’ve done 200 jumps—can I jump off a mountain now?
NO. You must complete a Wingsuit course with an instructor, marking the start of a new learning phase to consolidate skills. I advise a minimum of 150–200 additional jumps in the suit before even considering a mountain. Jump until it feels like a second skin, and movements become instinctive.
What else do I need?
It’s recommended to have 300–500 aircraft jumps, honing canopy control and landing precision throughout.
These skills are vital for the next step: low-altitude jumps with tiny (or non-existent) landing zones, where parachute flight time is drastically reduced.
A dedicated BASE jumping "course" is also essential. This covers packing a BASE canopy (which differs from skydiving parachutes), basic safety protocols, emergency responses, and proper exit techniques.
A key difference from skydiving is starting at zero velocity. Specific techniques are needed for controlled freefall—a botched exit here could be fatal, as BASE jumps occur at altitudes far lower than skydiving’s typical 1,500–4,500m, sometimes from just 60m up.
There’s currently no official regulation. In Spain, we’re not affiliated with any federation, nor do instructors hold specific qualifications.
60m with a Wingsuit?
Impossible. For wingsuit BASE, you need at least 100–150m of "rock drop" (vertical distance from exit to impact point). Add another 400m minimum, totalling ~500m from exit to landing, to allow safe flight, wall clearance, and parachute deployment.
Do you use an altimeter? At what height do you deploy? How do you know when?
No—I’ve never met anyone who does. Visual estimation ("eyeballing") suffices; survival instinct won’t let you hit the ground untried. Minimum height ensures safe landing and time to handle malfunctions. Wingsuits require extra metres for zipper release before canopy control.
Malfunctions?
Common issues include 180° turns, line twists ("line twists"), line-overs (known as "cravattes" in paragliding), or tension knots. Resolving these demands extra time—hence higher deployment. No matter how meticulously you pack or how experienced you are, variables like speed, body position, packing quality, and wind make this an inexact science.
Where to start in BASE?
Bridges are ideal for beginners. They offer safety: a 180° malfunction won’t slam you into a wall, giving recovery time. More bridge jumps prepare you for terminal jumps.
"The dreaded 180° turn is a leading cause of death in BASE jumping."
Once independent, a BASE jumper’s decisions become critical. Surround yourself with experienced mentors—inexperience can lead to fatal misjudgements.
These should be sensible, responsible individuals; poor influences are counterproductive.
That said, no one forces you to jump—you alone bear responsibility.
What are Terminal Jumps?
It sounds grim! "Terminal" means reaching maximum freefall speed (~200 km/h). For these, we travel across Spain, Europe, and beyond.
The Pyrenees offer options, but none are beginner-friendly. Start at Italy’s Monte Brento (Trentino): a 1,000m+ mountain with negative slope (safer for botched exits).
Do dozens of these jumps before wingsuiting—master exits and "tracking" (horizontal drifting) away from walls.
Tracking?
Using body position and relative wind to glide horizontally at freefall speeds.
When are you objectively ready?
After 200 aircraft jumps, 200 wingsuit jumps, 10 bridge/antenna jumps, and 30 big-wall jumps, you’re prepared to merge BASE with wingsuits.
This minimises risks like nervous exits or unfamiliar environments.
I’ve seen experts fly near walls and trees—don’t even consider this yet. They’re elite pilots with decades of experience.
Others’ actions shouldn’t dictate yours. Many veteran jumpers (thousands of BASE jumps) never do proximity flights—and enjoy the sport just as much. Perhaps that’s why they’ve survived so long.
Proximity Flights?
Flying close to terrain (walls, trees, ridges) at 100–200 km/h. High-risk—every object is a hazard. Only for experts.
Wingsuits operate like paragliders: air inflates them, creating lift with extreme wing loading.
"Just wear a bigger suit?" No—that’s reckless. Manufacturers specify experience levels for each suit. Larger suits perform better but are harder to fly. Ignoring these guidelines risks lives.
Some suits suit first-timers; others require 200–300 jumps in smaller models for safe handling.
What performance does a wingsuit offer?
Varies by model, fabric, and—most critically—pilot skill. Glide ratios range from 2:1 (small suits) to 3:1 (large). Few exceed this—those who do are truly skilled.
My experience?
As described above. In 2007, I did static-line jumps in the military; AFF in 2009; BASE in 2012.
I’ll also urge aspiring jumpers to learn basic meteorology (e.g., thermals, valley breezes, inversions, clouds) and read books like Visiting the Sky (paragliding-focused but relevant). Knowledge cuts reaction times.
Some jumps are unsafe post-noon due to thermals—knowing wind direction/intensity via clouds or valley orientation is crucial.
"Sometimes, turning back is the win". Weather can change—aborting is hard but keeps you alive.
Contrary to myth, most of us aren’t reckless thrill-seekers. Mistakes happen, but the goal is adrenaline, views, and nature’s majesty—flying like an eagle.
Like paragliders, we see the world uniquely. Misinformation and high risks tarnish the sport—it’s banned in many places, often unfairly.
Some mountains allow climbing but not BASE—illogical, like banning flights but permitting motocross in nature reserves.
This sport demands travel. I’ve jumped worldwide—unforgettable experiences, incredible people. The community is tight-knit; I’ve learned tricks and techniques from friends in the US, Argentina, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Greece, New Zealand, and more.
Any close calls?
Yes—why preparation and reflexes are vital. So far, I’ve been lucky.
How long will you keep jumping?
Indefinitely. It’s my passion—addictive and vocational. I’ll continue as long as health allows.
