In a groundbreaking first for human flight, German skydiver Max Manow has redefined the limits of aerial sports by hooking himself onto a nosediving plane in mid-air, ascending out of a canyon while still attached, and then releasing himself back into freefall. Dubbed the “Endless Skydive,” this revolutionary maneuver took place at Little Colorado River Tribal Park in Navajo Nation, Arizona, USA, showcasing the sheer potential of continuous skydiving without ever needing to land and repack a parachute.
Defying Gravity: The Feat That Redefined Skydiving
On 13 November 2024, Manow executed his audacious flight over the Hell Hole Bend canyon, a daunting 787ft (240m) wide and 1,400ft (427m) deep. He jumped from a helicopter, tracked a moving plane, and attached himself mid-air using a custom-designed hook. Suspended beneath the aircraft in his wingsuit, he was towed 2,500ft (762m) back to altitude, where he detached and resumed his freefall—proving that, theoretically, he could repeat the process indefinitely.
“In theory, I could repeat the process over and over again – an endless skydive. Who knows where it will take the future of this sport?”
– Max Manow
The Team and Technology Behind the Flight
This feat was only possible through immense preparation, trust, and cutting-edge modifications to both equipment and aircraft. Red Bull Air Force legend Luke Aikins piloted an Experimental Cessna 182, modified with:
✔️ A giant airbrake, controlled via a winch inside the cockpit, enabling the plane to descend at the same rate as Manow.
✔️ A rope handle and hook, housed in a carbon fiber tube, providing a stable target for Manow’s attachment.
Aikins had to navigate at high speeds while maintaining a stable flight path, ensuring Manow’s safety during the crucial connection.
“What makes this project unique is that we are taking things that exist but are not meant to fly together, like wingsuits and planes.”
– Luke Aikins
Training for the Impossible
Manow, a 35-year-old member of the Red Bull Skydive Team, spent five months preparing for this challenge. His training included intensive wind tunnel sessions in Stockholm, Sweden, refining his flying skills to cope with the unpredictable airflow when approaching the plane.
Aikins, a 51-year-old veteran of the Red Bull Air Force, brought decades of experience in skydiving, BASE-jumping, and piloting to the mission. His ability to modify and pilot the aircraft under extreme conditions was instrumental in bringing Manow’s vision to life.
The supporting helicopter was piloted by Red Bull Air Force pilot Aaron Fitzgerald (USA), and the breathtaking footage was captured by Marco Fürst (AUT) of the Red Bull Skydive Team.
Breaking Down the Data
🔹 Helicopter exit altitude: 10,000ft (3,048m) above sea level
🔹 Distance to canyon: 1.5 nautical miles (2.78km)
🔹 Speed alongside plane before connection: ~80 knots (41m/s)
🔹 Speed while attached: 65 knots (33.4m/s)
🔹 Climb rate while attached: 500ft/min (2.54m/s)
A New Era of Skydiving?
Manow’s “Endless Skydive” is not just a personal milestone but a game-changer for extreme sports. The ability to stay airborne without landing could revolutionize training methods, aerial cinematography, and future aviation-based sports.
While this is the first successful attempt, it leaves the door open for future iterations and innovations. Could skydivers one day fly from one aircraft to another without ever touching the ground? If Manow’s achievement is any indication, the answer might be yes.