Chinese ‘birdman’ flies a new high
By chinanews.com, Published: 2016-01-06 10:32:20
Zhang Shupeng walks to the stage and gets ready to fly during his practice in December 2015, in Zhangjiajie, central China’s Hunan Province. Since 2013, Zhang has accomplished more than 930 flights in a wingsuit.
Editor's Note:
Enjoying natural beauty of the Alps from the mountain top is not a rare thing for human beings now. But what if you look at the splendid scenery while flying through the air using a wingsuit? Zhang Shupeng, entitled ‘No.1 Wingsuiter in Asia’, is now preparing for the 2016 Fifth Wingsuit Flying World Championship on Tianmen Mountain in central China’s Hunan Province. The 30-year-old wingsuit enthusiast with 10-years of paragliding experience practiced hard to reach his goal of entering the final contest in the world championship. Photos: chinanews.com

The 30-year-old wingsuit enthusiast with 10-years of paragliding experience smiles while wearing his wingsuit before taking a jump.
Zhang stands at the edge of the diving platform, waiting for the right moment to jump. Wingsuit flight requires zero mistakes and fliers have to be highly cautious.
Zhang jumps out as the heavy clouds in front of the platform move away. Wingsuit flying requires perfect weather conditions and the heavy clouds may hinder the sight of fliers.
Zhang makes a second performance. He canceled his lunch to practice under good weather.
Zhang strenuously opens the parachute under intense air pressure.
He poses with a V gesture after successfully opening his parachute.
Zhang folds his parachute after finishing two flights. The original plan was six flights, but reduced to three times due to the weather conditions.
Zhang bandages a wound on his finger. The continuous flying in low temperatures caused his hands to suffer from frostbite.
Zhang’s equipment, a helmet with his name and Chinese national flag on it. Wingsuit flying requires not only professional training, but also a large sum of money. A whole package of equipment, including a wingsuit, a helmet, parachutes, glasses and an altimeter, costs 60,000 yuan ($9,204).