Daredevil aims for freefall history with 13-mile leap from..

[Ship called Dignity]

Daredevil aims for freefall history with a 13-mile leap from Ireland to Scotland

Just found this excellent story today at

http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle2. ... ID=1283920

Ranald, Radio etc - can you perhaps pick up this one if you haven't?

Quickly spoke to Dave and more information him can be found at http://www.skywalkerinc.com/

I expect this will get some national media attention!

Meet Dave skywalker
Daredevil aims for freefall history with a 13-mile leap from Ireland to Scotland

By Paul Robinson
fearless Yorkshireman Dave Walker is ready to put his life on the line in an attempt to make skydiving history.
He is currently in training for a parachute jump that will begin more than five miles above Belfast – and end on the Mull of Kintyre on the west cost of Scotland.
It will take the 34-year-old nearly 20 minutes to make his 13-mile descent across the freezing waters of the North Channel, which links the Irish Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.
Dave, an ex-paratrooper who now works as a skydiving instructor, admits there is a 25 per cent chance the attempt could go wrong.
But he's adamant that is a risk he's prepared to take as he looks to set the record for the longest crossing of its kind between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Dave, who grew up in Morley in Leeds but is now based in Scarborough, said today: "All my life I've had people telling me you can't do this, you can't do that.
"That's not me and it never will be.
"I'll be nervous when the time comes, but the thought of achieving something no one else has ever done will spur me on."
Glide
When Dave leaps out of his plane at 27,000ft, he will be wearing a special winged suit that will slow his rate of descent during the first 20 seconds or so of freefalling.
The former Bruntcliffe High School pupil will plummet earthwards and eastwards at about 60mph, completing around eight miles of his journey towards the Kintyre peninsula as he does so.
Once his 380 sq ft chute opens he hopes to glide on the wind for the remainder of the crossing, using a computerised global positioning system to stay on course.
Dave's biggest worry is blacking out during the dive's early stages because of a lack of oxygen. The air temperature could also initially be as low as minus 35 Celsius.
With that in mind, the man whom pals have nicknamed 'Skywalker' will be accompanied by two support parachutists.
His progress will also be tracked by a helicopter and lifeboats.
The record bid is scheduled for next August or September. It is expected to cost nearly £50,000 and Dave is currently searching for sponsors – although his determination to take on the challenge means he will foot the bill himself if he has to.
Anyone interested in backing the attempt should ring 01262 403737 or 07968 205967.
paul.robinsons@ypn.co.uk

[4th gen Suthen']

Holy Smoke, what a story!!

definitely one for Saturday...hope Ranald does not beat us to it!!

Who needs a ferry eh?!!

[Iona]

Yes - this is an interesting story.

Wouldn't it be good to be the same weekend as the Music Festival!

[Ship called Dignity]

Holy Smoke, what a story!!

definitely one for Saturday...hope Ranald does not beat us to it!!

Who needs a ferry eh?!!

Just mention it on the Farming show then!

[Tom B]

I emailed this guy to see if he was still planning to do this - but got no reply. Anybody know?

[Campbeltown Airshow]

I e-mailed too a few months back to see if we could tie his jump up with our evnet as part of the Saturday stunt day......i am still waiting for a reply also.