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arai 0
I think we're starting to move from what is a wingsuit, to what is wingsuiting. This is also why the performace of the wingsuit doesnt really mean anything at this point. Those types of definitions will likely be activity related anyway. is a proximity wingsuiters wingsuit less of a wingsuit if he has smaller wings in order to suck down to the terrain because he's not going for l/d?
I dont think all suits have cutwaways, so I dont think it'd be appropriate to include it in the definition.
same thing with pilot ability, doesnt really have any effect on if what your flying is a wingsuit.
I guess we could include intent in the definition. Might rule out something like a camera suit that while it has wings, forward movement its not its intent?
ei
A piece of equipment that spans material between a skydiver's arms, torso, and legs, designed for the ability to sustain forward movement through the air using only gravity as propulsion. The skydiver's body forms the majority of the frame for the wings of the suit.
I dont think it would rule out something like vertical wingsuit flight, as the design of the suit is still primarily to assist in forward flight or movement.
I dont think all suits have cutwaways, so I dont think it'd be appropriate to include it in the definition.
same thing with pilot ability, doesnt really have any effect on if what your flying is a wingsuit.
I guess we could include intent in the definition. Might rule out something like a camera suit that while it has wings, forward movement its not its intent?
ei
A piece of equipment that spans material between a skydiver's arms, torso, and legs, designed for the ability to sustain forward movement through the air using only gravity as propulsion. The skydiver's body forms the majority of the frame for the wings of the suit.
I dont think it would rule out something like vertical wingsuit flight, as the design of the suit is still primarily to assist in forward flight or movement.
A further thought.......
This is still a wingsuit, without question, but a wingsuit ten years ago etc.
My analogy would be that of a motor car.......
If you asked anyone to define a car 20-30 years ago, or a hundred years ago, it would be "internal combustion engine which drives a number of wheels for movement, mounted on a chassis with at least 4, with the ability for a person to turn the wheels for directional control whilst sat in the chassis."
Since the introduction of governance, regulations and technological developments cars have evolved (read doors, roofs, key ignition etc.). A manufacturer, today, cannot think about designing, building and selling a car without BSRs such as brakes, lights and horns. Airbags, ABS, SatNav, radio are all optional features that can be ignored etc.
Therefore, I think the definition of a wingsuit needs to somehow take into account BSRs as set out by the governance/physics of skydiving (need for canopy control/safety) that we have today. I recognise that BASE is not regulated and can be justified as a different sport but we all need to control our canopies safely!
What do others think?
Gecko
QuoteIf people fly a tight 9 way in full wingsuits without any form of emergency arm-release or cutaway, why would it not be a wingsuit formation?
This is still a wingsuit, without question, but a wingsuit ten years ago etc.
My analogy would be that of a motor car.......
If you asked anyone to define a car 20-30 years ago, or a hundred years ago, it would be "internal combustion engine which drives a number of wheels for movement, mounted on a chassis with at least 4, with the ability for a person to turn the wheels for directional control whilst sat in the chassis."
Since the introduction of governance, regulations and technological developments cars have evolved (read doors, roofs, key ignition etc.). A manufacturer, today, cannot think about designing, building and selling a car without BSRs such as brakes, lights and horns. Airbags, ABS, SatNav, radio are all optional features that can be ignored etc.
Therefore, I think the definition of a wingsuit needs to somehow take into account BSRs as set out by the governance/physics of skydiving (need for canopy control/safety) that we have today. I recognise that BASE is not regulated and can be justified as a different sport but we all need to control our canopies safely!
What do others think?
Gecko
www.gathhelmets.co.uk
www.flyyourbody.com
www.flyyourbody.com
Okay, you don't need to collapse for acrobatics but for fault situation recovery you do at the moment.
Therefore, is manipulation of the equipment by the skydiver to "recover from being unsymetrical" a BSR? I think the answer to that is yes at the moment. Therefore, shouldn't it be in the definition at the moment or in "a beginner category of wingsuits"? Ditto, releasing of wings?
Gecko
www.flyyourbody.com
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