PATRICK DE GAYARDON (France) was the originator of modern wing suiting. The innovation and validation of his designs of adding viable functional wings to jumpsuits was the genesis of literally being able to cover more horizontal distance than vertical distance. He was the first person to attempt what became known as “proximity flying” by flying near mountain walls in the French Alps in 1997. Also in 1997, Patrick validated the glide ration he had achieved with his wingsuit designs by exiting and then returning to the same aircraft (Pilatus Porter) in flight. Although Patrick was the originator of modern wing suiting, his true contribution to skydiving was that of adding sustained lateral movement to jumping allowing falling to become flying. Above all else, Patrick was an innovator. He took concepts that lay dormant for decades and applied them successfully with the benefit of his ingenuity. Photo: Philippe Fragnol - ParaMag Archives