AssetID: 54485773
Headline: RAW VIDEO: German Skydiver Completes 'Infinite' Skydive In Arizona Canyon
Caption: German skydiver Max Manow has achieved a breathtaking world-first over an offshoot of the Grand Canyon by leaping from a helicopter, latching onto a nosediving plane in mid-air, and soaring out of Hell Hole Bend canyon. In a feat never attempted before, Manow exited a helicopter at 10,000 feet, pursued a moving Cessna 182, and attached himself using a custom-designed hook, allowing the aircraft to tow him in his wingsuit out of the canyon before he released into freefall once again. This ground-breaking achievement marks the first time a skydiver has demonstrated the potential for continuous freefall without landing to repack a parachute. Equipped with a specially modified wingsuit and harness, Manow worked alongside Red Bull Air Force legend Luke Aikins, who piloted the Cessna, adapting it with an airbrake and hook system to facilitate the mid-air connection. The mission, which required five months of meticulous preparation, saw Manow training in a Stockholm wind tunnel to refine his technique, while Aikins modified his aircraft to ensure the feat was both safe and repeatable. The challenge was immense – Hell Hole Bend’s sheer walls, measuring just 240 metres wide and 427 metres deep, left no margin for error. With speeds reaching 150km/h and a glide ratio of 1:2.2, precision and trust were paramount. Manow described the complexity of the flight, noting that attaching to the plane’s handle for the first time was particularly difficult due to the turbulent airflow. Once connected, he was towed for three minutes at a rate of 500 feet per minute, relying entirely on Aikins for navigation, as he was on his back and unable to see his surroundings. The custom rigging included an airbrake controlled by a winch inside the cockpit and a rope housed in a carbon fibre tube to maintain stability. “It’s all about trust,” Manow said, adding that the innovation could revolutionise the sport. Aikins admitted he was sceptical when first approached with the idea: “When Max called and asked if I could tow him on a plane, I thought he might be a little crazy.” However, after months of fine-tuning, the team successfully executed the daring stunt, with the mission’s helicopter piloted by Red Bull Air Force’s Aaron Fitzgerald and aerial footage captured by Marco Fürst.
Keywords: skydive,stunt,red bull,feature,photo,video,jump,daredevil,canyon
PersonInImage: