El Hierro Becomes Aerial Sports Hub After World Record Wingsuit Flight
El Hierro has become a premier destination for aerial sports following Austrian pilot Peter Salzmann's world-record-setting powered, engine-less altitude gain of 67 meters in the wingsuit foil discipline, leveraging the island's unique natural conditions.
El Hierro is now a top spot for aerial sports after a world record was set there. Austrian pilot Peter Salzmann reached an incredible 67 meters using a wingsuit and a special board, in what's called the wingsuit foil discipline. He made history by achieving the first-ever powered flight that gained altitude without an engine, all thanks to the natural conditions on the island. Salzmann, along with a team of over thirty people from Red Bull and Red Bull Advance Technologies, made this amazing feat happen.
The team spent months looking at various locations before narrowing it down to two islands: Hawaii and El Hierro. Both were chosen because they have high ground and steady updrafts, which are crucial for this kind of flight. In the end, El Hierro, known as the "Island of the Meridian," was picked because of its dramatic elevation changes and the reliable trade winds.
What is Wingsuit Foil?
Wingsuit foil is a cutting-edge way for humans to fly. It involves wearing a wingsuit and using a light board. Pilots can steer and gain height by catching air currents, without needing an engine. It's a very difficult and dangerous sport, so it needs to be practiced in very controlled environments with specific landforms. This is why El Hierro has become a world-leading location for this aerial activity.