Skydiving
Can you skydive continuously without landing? Watch wingsuit flyer Max Manow pull off a never-before-seen feat over the Grand Canyon, showcasing gravity-defying teamwork with an airplane pilot.
Imagine leaping from a helicopter high above one of the world's most breathtaking landscapes, only to latch onto a speeding plane in mid-air and soar back up into the sky. This is not a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster but the real-life achievement of German skydiver Max Manow, who has redefined the boundaries of human flight with an unprecedented feat.
In a jaw-dropping display of skill and audacity, Max Manow from the Red Bull Skydive Team has pulled off the world's first mid-air plane hook maneuver! This electrifying feat, set against the stunning backdrop of the Little Colorado River Tribal Park in Navajo Nation – a breathtaking side arm of Arizona's legendary Grand Canyon – is a remarkable achievement in extreme sports.
A milestone for skydivers
Manow's exhilarating adventure kicked off with a leap from a helicopter into the gaping chasm of Hell Hole Bend Canyon. In a pulse-pounding moment, he expertly latched onto a nosediving plane mid-air, demonstrating unmatched precision and bravery. Harnessing the plane's momentum, he soared out of the canyon, embarking on what he calls his "endless skydive," a maneuver that potentially could be done continuously without him ever needing to land.
Manow is known for exploring new territory as a skydiver. But this feat was next level for him, too. He has never invested more time, nerves and creativity into his projects. With a spectacular flight maneuver, he demonstrated how making repeated parachute jumps without having to land is possible – a milestone for skydivers.
Finding the right pilot and location
To take on this project, Manow needed the right partner. Luke Aikins was the perfect pilot for the job. On the one hand, he has already mastered many crazy adventures as a skydiver, and on the other hand, he is one of the best aerobatic pilots in the world as part of the Red Bull Air Force.
When Max called and asked if I could pull him on a plane, I thought he might be a bit crazy.
So he knows both sides – that of the pilot and that of the skydiver. Plus, Aikins is a gifted inventor! "When Max called and asked if I could pull him on a plane, I thought he might be a bit crazy," recalls aerobatic pilot Aikins. In the end, Aikins was thrilled that Manow came up with such an innovative and creative idea and brought him into the project.
It wasn't until Manow and Aikins found Hell Hole Bend Canyon in the Little Colorado River in Navajo Tribal Park in Arizona, USA, that they knew their idea could work. The width and depth of this Grand Canyon branch were perfect for safely attempting the maneuver.
Manow's high-stakes aerial ballet above Hell Hole Bend
Manow's unprecedented flight began at 10,000 feet above Arizona's dramatic Hell Hole Bend canyon. After exiting a helicopter, he maneuvred his wingsuit to close the gap with a nosediving Cessna 182, piloted by Luke Aikins. Precision was key: Manow attached himself to a hook on the aircraft as the plane descended, allowing him to ascend back to a safe altitude of 2,500 feet before releasing into another freefall. "It's all about trust," Manow explained. "The first big challenge was to get together with Luke and meet him in the air. The first time I was able to attach to the handle, it was so difficult. The airflow was very different, and it was throwing me around. I had to learn a lot of different ways of flying."
I had to learn a lot of different ways of flying.
The logistics required months of preparation. Manow spent five months training, including sessions in a Stockholm wind tunnel, to master the techniques needed for mid-air connection. Meanwhile, Aikins modified his aircraft to ensure the feat was safe and repeatable.
What makes this feat so special?
Skydiver Max Manow's goal was to develop a maneuver that could potentially be repeated an infinite number of times without ever having to land. Manow's mid-air maneuver opens the door to a new vision of skydiving, where athletes could remain airborne without ever needing to land. Reflecting on the experience, Manow said: "Who knows where this will take the future of the sport?"
Key Stats from the flight:
- Helicopter exit altitude: 10,000 feet (3,048 meters)
- Climb rate while attached to the plane: 500 feet/min (2.54m/s)
- Speed flying alongside the plane before connection: ~80 knots (41m/s)
- Dimensions of Hell Hole Bend: 240 meters wide, 427 meters deep
