On May 12th, a wingsuit pilot named An An, who was filming an extreme sports documentary at Zhangjiajie's Tianmen Mountain, went missing after straying from her planned flight path. Seven days of continuous search efforts finally led to the discovery of her body on May 18th.

An An's tragic death brought wingsuit flying, a rare and perilous extreme sport, into the spotlight.

As the first media outlet to report on the incident, we shared the call for help from a close friend of the sport, which was widely shared by major influencers and media outlets. This coverage helped push the search forward but also revealed some unsavory comments from people who didn't fully understand the sport.

The Reality of Extreme Sports

From the very beginning of this incident, we saw a lot of negative commentary online. As fellow extreme sports enthusiasts, it was disheartening. This is a sport for the brave, requiring immense courage and passion. No one has the right to judge someone else's life choices. What we must do is show respect.

What is Wingsuit Flying?

Wingsuit flying, also known as wingsuiting, is divided into two categories: powered and non-powered wingsuit flying. The most common form is non-powered wingsuit flying, often called "flying squirrel suit gliding" in Taiwan. This is a human flight sport where pilots wear wingsuits and glide through the air. Wingsuit flying is split into two types: high-altitude wingsuit flying (Wingsuit Skydiving) and low-altitude wingsuit flying (Wingsuit BASE Jumping). High-altitude wingsuit flying typically involves jumping from an airplane, while low-altitude wingsuit flying, or "BASE jumping," is considered one of the most dangerous and thrilling forms of extreme sport. The term BASE is an acronym representing Building, Antennae, Span, and Earth, referring to the common jump-off points such as skyscrapers, antennas, bridges, and cliffs.

The Origins of Wingsuit Flying

Wingsuit flying has always been associated with a high risk of death. The first known attempt was made by French tailor Franz Reichelt in the early 1900s, who jumped from the Eiffel Tower wearing a homemade wingsuit parachute, only to tragically die in the attempt. Modern wingsuits were developed in the 1990s by French skydiver Patrick de Gayardon. Finnish Jari Kuosma and Slovenian Robert Pečnik created the first commercially viable wingsuit in 1999, leading to the establishment of the company "Bird-Man International Ltd."

The Risks and Difficulty of Wingsuit Flying

Wingsuit flying is one of the most difficult extreme sports, demanding not only physical strength, experience, and precise judgment but also substantial financial resources for training and equipment. To fly solo, pilots must obtain an international skydiving license (USAP A Certificate), which requires completing hundreds of jumps. Before obtaining this certification, pilots need to accumulate at least 1200 hours of skydiving experience—about 200 jumps.

The difficulty of this sport is compounded by its high-risk nature. To date, there are fewer than 1,000 certified wingsuit pilots worldwide. It's an exclusive sport, with numerous regulations, high demands, and barriers to entry.

The Dangers of Wingsuit Flying

The death rate in wingsuit flying is notably high, especially for low-altitude flights. While the death rate is approximately one in every 500 to 1,000 jumps, it's significantly higher for low-altitude flights, roughly 5-8 times more dangerous than high-altitude flights. As of July 2019, 370 deaths had been recorded in low-altitude wingsuit flying. However, the often-quoted statistic of a 30% death rate is misleading and not officially confirmed.

The reasons for these accidents can include parachute malfunctions, collisions with rocks, landing mishaps, errors in opening the parachute, equipment failure, and sudden weather changes.

Event Reflection: The High Stakes of Dream Pursuit

Wingsuit flying has many uncontrollable variables. Despite careful assessment of external factors, one small misstep could lead to disaster. An An's tragic accident may have been caused by unforeseen weather conditions, and as a non-professional pilot, she may not have been familiar with the flight path, contributing to her deviation from the intended route.

In this case, would it have made a difference if An An had been equipped with a GPS tracking device? Unfortunately, we will never know.

Many online commentators have voiced their opinions, with some stating that An An's death was inevitable for those involved in such high-risk activities. But this perspective oversimplifies the complexity of extreme sports. The truth is, extreme sports, including wingsuit flying, are not about recklessness or "seeking death"—they are about pursuing a dream, having the courage to face the dangers, and respecting the limits of one's abilities.

The Power of Dreams and Respect

For some, pursuing dreams comes at great personal cost. But judging others for chasing their aspirations doesn't help anyone. We need to understand that not everyone has the same life path, and there's no reason to criticize someone who dared to live out their passion.

In extreme sports, some people may not understand the risks involved. However, for An An, her pursuit of her dreams was a testament to her courage. Her legacy will live on, reminding us all that pursuing a passion requires not just physical skill but immense bravery.

Final Thoughts

As fellow extreme sports enthusiasts, we feel deeply about An An's passing. Her vibrant energy, her love for wingsuit flying, and her dedication to her craft have left a lasting impression. While her tragic death has brought attention to the dangers of the sport, it's also sparked a deeper conversation about respect, bravery, and the value of following one's dreams.

Wingsuit flying may not be for everyone, but it's a sport built on a foundation of skill, preparation, and passion. We may never fully understand the motivations of those who take such risks, but we should at least respect their right to live life on their own terms.

Let's celebrate An An's memory by acknowledging her courage, respecting her choices, and continuing to support those who pursue extreme sports.