Wingsuit Progression Checklist: The Complete Guide

From First Jump Clearance to Advanced Flight | Arcana Innovations

Introduction: Wingsuit Flying Isn't a Shortcut—It's a Commitment

Flight doesn't just happen. It's earned through discipline, judgment, and respect for consequences. This wingsuit progression checklist represents the collective wisdom of the community—skydivers who've logged thousands of wingsuit flights and understand that every decision at altitude matters.

DNTFKNDIE isn't just our brand. It's the protocol.

Whether you're considering your first wingsuit jump or refining advanced techniques, this guide provides the roadmap. But remember: checklists don't keep you alive—your choices do.

Phase 0: Pre-Wingsuit Foundation (MANDATORY)

Skydiving Experience Requirements

Minimum Requirements (USPA Recommendations):

• ✓ 200+ skydives logged (some manufacturers require 500+)

• ✓ USPA B License or equivalent certification

• ✓ Consistent stable freefall (no tumbling, flipping)

• ✓ Altitude awareness without checking altimeter constantly

• ✓ Clean deployments with on-heading openings

• ✓ Canopy control skills (landing accuracy within 50 meters)

  
  

Why These Numbers Matter: You need automated responses when everything goes wrong. At 120mph in a wingsuit, fumbling for your hacky or losing altitude awareness can be fatal. Build the foundation first.

Skills Assessment Before Wingsuit Training

• Can you track 50+ feet laterally from a formation?

• Have you practiced solo freefalls (no coaching) with consistent performance?

• Do you have experience jumping in varied wind conditions?

• Can you deploy on-heading 90%+ of the time?

• Have you performed practice pulls at various altitudes?

• Do you understand burble awareness and deployment timing?

  
  

If you answered "no" to ANY of these: Build more experience before wingsuits.

Phase 1: First Flight Course (FFC) - Days 1-3

Pre-Course Requirements Checklist

• Medical clearance (consider altitude/hypoxia factors)

• Current USPA membership and B License

• Logbook with 200+ jumps documented

• Recent jump activity (within 60 days recommended)

• Gear inspection by rigger (fresh repack, RSL/MARD functional)

• Mental readiness assessment (honest self-evaluation)

  
  

Choosing Your First Wingsuit Course

What to Look For:

• ✓ USPA-certified wingsuit instructor

• ✓ Low student-to-instructor ratio (max 4:1)

• ✓ Ground training before any flight

• ✓ Video debrief after every jump

• ✓ Emphasis on emergency procedures (not just flight performance)

  
  

Red Flags:

• ❌ Instructor rushes through ground school

• ❌ No emergency scenario training

• ❌ "You'll be fine, just follow me" attitude

• ❌ Skipping equipment familiarization

  
  

Ground School: What You'll Learn

• Wingsuit anatomy and construction

• Pre-flight gear checks (wingsuit-specific)

• Exit procedures and body position

• Flight phases: deployment, flight, flare, deployment

• Emergency procedures (horseshoe malfunction, burble awareness, cutaway)

• Altitude discipline and deployment priorities

• Traffic awareness in wingsuit flight

  
  

First Jump Categories (Typically 5-10 Jumps)

Jump 1-2: Deployment Focus

• Clean exit with immediate stability

• Arms-in configuration (minimal wing deployment)

• High pull altitude (6,000+ feet AGL)

• Practice flare before deployment

• On-heading opening

  
  

Jump 3-5: Basic Flight

• Progressive arm extension

• Straight-line flight with altitude awareness

• Controlled turns (gentle, coordinated)

• Flare timing refinement

  
  

Jump 6-10: Building Confidence

• Increased flight time (still conservative pulls)

• Smoother transitions between flight phases

• Better body awareness and wing control

• Consistent deployment sequences

  
  

Post-FFC Certification Checklist

• Minimum 5 successful wingsuit jumps completed

• Instructor sign-off in logbook

• Video review showing competency

• Understanding of personal limitations

• Emergency procedure proficiency demonstrated

  
  

Phase 2: Building Experience (Jumps 11-100)

Jump Number Milestones

Jumps 11-25: Solo Consolidation

• Fly solo (no instructor) with conservative flight plans

• Pull altitude: 4,500-5,000 feet minimum

• Focus on consistency over performance

• Log conditions, flight time, deployment altitude

• Practice emergency procedures on every jump (mental rehearsal)

  
  

Jumps 26-50: Skill Refinement

• Introduce small formations (2-way max)

• Work on proximity awareness (maintain safe separation)

• Experiment with different body positions (within safe limits)

• Reduce pull altitude gradually (never below 3,500 feet)

• Start tracking flight performance (glide ratio, forward speed)

  
  

Jumps 51-100: Advanced Techniques

• Larger formations (3-4 way with experienced wingsuit pilots)

• Backflying attempts (with altitude buffer)

• Carving and dynamic flight (when conditions allow)

• Video analysis for performance optimization

• Mentorship with experienced pilots (500+ wingsuit jumps)

  
  

Ongoing Skills Development

Every 10 Jumps, Evaluate:

• Am I pulling at safe altitudes consistently?

• Are my openings clean and on-heading?

• Do I have repeatable exit and flight routines?

• Am I flying within my skill level?

• Have I had any close calls that indicate I'm pushing limits?

  
  

Red Flags to Self-Assess:

• ❌ Pulling below planned altitude "just this once"

• ❌ Flying proximity without proper training

• ❌ Ignoring weather/wind conditions

• ❌ Peer pressure driving decisions

• ❌ Complacency with gear checks

  
  

Phase 3: Advanced Wingsuit Flying (100+ Jumps)

Advanced Skills Progression

Prerequisites for Advanced Training:

• 100+ wingsuit jumps logged

• Consistent performance in all conditions

• Advanced canopy skills (swooping, off-DZ landings)

• Strong community reputation for safe practices

• Instructor recommendation for progression

  
  

Advanced Techniques (Require Coaching):

• Backflying and acrobatics

• High-performance wingsuit flights (sub-1.5 glide ratio)

• Proximity flying (requires 200+ jumps minimum)

• Wingsuit rodeos and tracking dives

• Speed flying transitions

• Camera flying in wingsuit

  
  

Gear Upgrades and Considerations

When to Consider Performance Wingsuits:

• 50-100+ jumps in beginner suit

• Consistent pull altitudes and clean deployments

• Understanding of advanced aerodynamics

• Realistic assessment of skill vs. desire

  
  

Wingsuit Categories:

1. Beginner: Docile, easy deployments, forgiving (e.g., Tony Suit X-Bird, Fly Your Body Prodigy)

2. Intermediate: More performance, requires skill (e.g., Squirrel Colugo, Phoenix Fly Vampire)

3. Advanced: High performance, less margin for error (e.g., Squirrel Hatch, Phoenix Fly Phantom)

4. Expert: Maximum performance, expert-only (e.g., Squirrel Freak, Phoenix Fly Vampire Race)

   
   

Never Skip Levels. Your ego isn't worth your life.

Phase 4: Specialty Disciplines (Expert-Level)

BASE Wingsuit Progression (Separate Discipline)

DO NOT ATTEMPT without:

• 200+ skydiving wingsuit jumps

• 100+ BASE jumps (without wingsuit)

• Mentorship from experienced BASE wingsuit pilot

• Comprehensive understanding of object strike risks

• Legal jumping locations identified

  
  

BASE Wingsuit is NOT covered in this checklist. Seek proper BASE training first.

Wingsuit Proximity Flying

Minimum Requirements:

• 200+ wingsuit jumps

• Advanced canopy skills

• Coaching from proximity specialist

• Video analysis of every proximity flight

• Understanding that this is the highest-risk discipline

  
  

Risk Acknowledgment: Proximity flying has killed experienced pilots. If you pursue this, understand the consequences are permanent.

Safety Protocols: Non-Negotiable Rules

Pre-Jump Wingsuit Checklist (Every Single Jump)

Gear Inspection:

• Wingsuit zippers fully closed and locked

• Pilot chute handle accessible (critical for wingsuit)

• Leg straps tight (loose = deployment issues)

• Rig inspection complete (pins, RSL, AAD, handles)

• Altimeter functional and zeroed

• Helmet secure, goggles clean

  
  

Mental Readiness:

• Weather conditions reviewed (winds aloft, ground winds)

• Jump plan clear (exit, flight path, deployment altitude)

• Emergency procedures rehearsed mentally

• No pressure to perform beyond skill level

• Clear head (no alcohol, drugs, or emotional distraction)

  
  

Community Check:

• Manifest aware of wingsuit jump

• Other jumpers briefed on your flight path

• Separation plan from other groups

• Video jumper briefed (if applicable)

  
  

Emergency Procedures (Rehearse Before Every Jump)

Horseshoe Malfunction (Pilot Chute Entanglement):

1. Recognize: Pilot chute caught in wingsuit burble or fabric

2. Response: Immediate cutaway (no hesitation)

3. Deploy reserve

4. Never attempt to clear—altitude loss is too rapid

   
   

Low Altitude Awareness:

• Decision altitude: 3,500 feet AGL minimum

• If below decision altitude and not deployed = immediate pull

• No "just one more second" mentality

• Altitude discipline saves lives

  
  

Canopy Entanglement (Wingsuit Lines):

• Recognize: Lines wrapped in wingsuit fabric during deployment

• Response: Assess controllability—if uncontrollable, cutaway immediately

• Reserve deployment

• Land wingsuit-aware (more drag on descent)

  
  

Gear Recommendations by Experience Level

Jumps 1-50: Beginner Wingsuit

Recommended:

• Tony Suit X-Bird

• Fly Your Body Prodigy

• Squirrel START

  
  

Why: Docile flight, easy deployments, forgiving mistakes

Jumps 51-150: Intermediate Wingsuit

Recommended:

• Squirrel Colugo

• Phoenix Fly Vampire Sukhoi

• Fly Your Body Shadow

  
  

Why: Performance increase, still manageable, progression-friendly

Jumps 150+: Advanced Wingsuit

Recommended:

• Squirrel Hatch/Aura

• Phoenix Fly Phantom/Havok

• Fly Your Body Barracuda

  
  

Why: High performance, requires skill, expert-level flight

NEVER jump a suit above your experience level. Ask instructors, not marketing materials.

Mental Game: The Invisible Skill

Judgment Over Performance

Questions to Ask Before Every Jump:

• Am I doing this for the right reasons?

• Am I trying to impress someone?

• Would I make this jump if no one was watching?

• Is my ego making decisions my brain should make?

  
  

The "Wave-Off" Mentality: Some of the best decisions in wingsuiting are the jumps you DON'T make.

Community Accountability

• Find a mentor with 500+ wingsuit jumps

• Join wingsuit-specific forums/groups

• Share videos for feedback (even when you think it went well)

• Be honest about close calls—help others learn

• Check in with other pilots regularly

  
  

DNTFKNDIE means checking your gear AND checking on your people.

Progression Timeline (Realistic Expectations)

Conservative Path

• Year 1: First Flight Course + 50 jumps (beginner suit)

• Year 2: 51-150 jumps (transition to intermediate suit)

• Year 3: 151-300 jumps (advanced techniques, performance flying)

• Year 4+: Specialization (formations, tracking, coaching)

  
  

Aggressive Path (Not Recommended)

• Rushing progression kills pilots

• Don't compare your Jump 50 to someone else's Jump 500

• Slow and steady builds the muscle memory that saves your life

  
  

There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots.

Resources & Continued Education

Wingsuit Manufacturers with Training Programs

• Squirrel - Comprehensive video library, coaching network

• Phoenix Fly - Instructor courses, progression suits

• Tony Suits - FFC programs worldwide

• Fly Your Body - European-focused training

  
  

Online Communities

• USPA Wingsuit Forum

• Facebook: Wingsuit Pilots (vetted group)

• YouTube: Flight School Analysis (debrief videos)

  
  

Recommended Reading

• The Wingsuit Flying Manual by Scott Palmer

• Risk Management for Skydivers (USPA publication)

• Incident reports (learn from others' mistakes)

  
  

Final Thoughts: Flight is Earned, Not Given

This checklist is a guide, not a guarantee. Wingsuit flying is one of the most rewarding disciplines in skydiving—and one of the most unforgiving.

Every pilot who died thought they had more time, more altitude, more skill.

Respect the suit. Respect the process. Respect the consequences.

Check your gear. Check your altitude. Check on your people.

DNTFKNDIE.

About Arcana Innovations

We're skydivers, BASE jumpers, and wingsuit pilots who understand what it means to live at the edge. Our DNTFKNDIE apparel isn't motivational—it's a survival protocol.

Every purchase supports injured jumpers, veteran mental health, and the community that teaches us to fly.

Explore the Collection:

• DNTFKNDIE Apparel - Mental health awareness clothing

• 77 Memorial Gear - Honoring those we've lost

• Wingsuit Community Resources - Free guides and safety content

  
  

Disclaimer: This checklist is educational and does not replace formal wingsuit instruction. Always seek certified coaching, follow manufacturer guidelines, and respect USPA regulations. Wingsuit flying is inherently dangerous—your safety is your responsibility.