EVENT'S HIGHLIGHT'S
EVENT'S HIGHLIGHT'S
GUINNESS RECORD: Night 19 Wingsuiters
The Benghazi Night Record: 19 Pilots, One Vision
The sky over Benghazi recently bore witness to a historic display of precision and international collaboration. In a landmark event that pushed the boundaries of night wingsuit flying, a 19-way multi-national formation illuminated the Libyan darkness to set a new Guinness World Record..
On the prestigious invitation of Juan Mayer and Skydive Benghazi, an elite international team of wingsuit pilots descended upon Libya to attempt a feat never before seen in the night sky. The objective was clear but daunting: a 19-way double V formation performed in total darkness.
World-Class Facilities: The Skydive Benghazi DZ
A record of this magnitude requires more than just talent; it requires an elite environment. The Skydive Benghazi facility proved to be a "super professional" hub for the sport. From the massive, air-conditioned packing hangers to the state-of-the-art briefing rooms, every detail was designed for enjoy skydiving.
The staff provided seamless logistical support, creating an "easy-going" yet professional rhythm that ensured safety remained the highest priority without stifling the friendly energy of the camp.
The 5-Day High-Octane Schedule
The mission was a masterclass in efficiency, balancing the high-stakes nature of the record with a disciplined, tactical approach to training.
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3 Days of Focused Skydiving: Because the primary objective was the night formation, the team adopted a "no-rush" morning start. This allowed for meticulous gear preparation and mental rehearsals, ensuring that by the time the sun set, every pilot was physically and mentally ready to dial in the complex 19-way formation in the dark.
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1 Day of Tactical Ground Training: Leveraging the world-class hospitality of the DZ Manager, the team stepped away from the wingsuits for a day of relax training. The group utilized the wind tunnel to refine body mechanics without the "dress" of the suit. To cap off the day, the team took advantage of the professional shooting range located directly within the DZ facility.
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Continuous Production: Every single day was a production day. High-end cinematography and photography teams worked around the clock, documenting the progress of the formation and capturing the breathtaking videos.
The Platform: The Mil Mi-17
To achieve a formation of this size, the team utilized the massive Mil Mi-17 helicopter. Unlike standard jump planes, the Mi-17’s spacious rear ramp provided the unique exit capacity required to get all 19 pilots into the air almost simultaneously. This rapid deployment was the "secret weapon" that allowed the group to maximize their flight time and lock into the double V architecture quickly.
Calibration: Forging One Team
The success of the mission began long before the sun went down. The initial phase focused on calibrating the pilots to operate as a single, cohesive unit. Every flyer had to eliminate hesitation, learning to move into their designated slot with absolute confidence. This mental and physical synchronization ensured that despite the high-pressure environment, each pilot held their position with the rock-solid stability required for a world-class formation.
The Complexity of the Dark: Pyrotechnics & Lights
The true challenge of a 19-way night formation is the technical synchronization of gear. Every pilot was equipped with high-intensity LEDs and tail-mounted pyrotechnics.
The greatest difficulty was ensuring perfect functionality for all 19 systems at the exact same time. In the "dead of night" a single equipment failure doesn't just break the visual aesthetic it compromises safety by removing the vital references needed for wingsuit approaching to formation and then flying in.
Success in this environment required more than just a plan; it required real-time evolution. Lessons learned from each attempt were quickly adopted, with technical changes and flight corrections improved upon immediately. This ability to analyse failures and rapidly implement corrections was the turning point that allowed the team to succeed with the operation and turn the formation into a almost flawless, glowing constellation against the black Libyan coast.
Logistics and Atmosphere
Between the adrenaline-heavy loads, the team found sanctuary at a local 5-star resort. The contrast was stark from this what we heard or we were imagine before we get to Libya. The success of the record was celebrated with a fantastic gala dinner, where the international visitors and Benghazi hosts shared the local hospitality that became a hallmark of the trip.
The Stats:
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Location: Benghazi, Libya
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Aircraft: Mil Mi-17 Helicopter
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The Record: 19-Way Night Wingsuit Formation
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Diversity: 9 Nationalities Represented
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The Facility: Super Professional DZ, Staff, and Wind Tunnel
- 3 days of jumping: (weather hold)
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500: pieces of ammo at the shooting range
The Technical Challenge: Oscillation and References
Flying a 19-way wingsuit formation at night introduces unique aerodynamic hurdles. One of the primary challenges was managing oscillation:
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The Base: The center of the formation remained the stable anchor.
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The Outer Slots: As pilots moved further from the base, the visual and physical oscillations became more pronounced.
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Reference Points: In the void of the night maintaining the "double V" shape required intense focus on the of teammates, as any slight deviation at the edges could ripple the entire formation.
Execution and The Break-Of
There was no room for error; the night gave no excuses for mistakes. Precision was especially critical during the break-off. To ensure a safe deployment of 19 parachutes in the dark, the execution had to be performed exactly as planned, without a single second of deviation. The discipline shown during the transition from formation to solo flight was a testament to the professional caliber of the team.
Participants:
Juan Mayer ARG - Camera & Organiser
Branden Roseborough USA, Cassie Young USA, Colby Groves USA, Derek Sun USA, Jacob Bennett USA, Justin Duclos USA, Thatcher Nixon USA, Derek Babysh CAD, Bruna Bello BRA, Bruno Alex BRA, Flavio Jordao BRA, Jakub Mijakowski POL, Piotr Walasek POL, Michal Brosig POL, Rolito Garzon COL, Leopoldo Couttenye BEL, Mauricio Otero MEX, Philippe Fournier CAD, Carlos Pedro VEN, Sergei Nazarov RUS.
Final Thoughts: A New Chapter for Libya
This event served as a reminder of the rewards found when you venture off the beaten path. The message from the organizers was clear: switch off the TV, ignore the preconceptions, and experience the reality for yourself. The hospitality encountered on the ground was second to none, proving that Benghazi is not just a record-breaking destination, but a welcoming home for the global skydiving community.
The "Benghazi 19" have set a high bar, not just for formation size, but for the spirit of the sport, opening up a fantastic new location for the world to visit. As the suits are packed and the glow LEDs fade, the message remains clear: the next frontier of human flight isn’t just about going faster or further - it’s about going together and exploring new places above all else.
Switch off the TV. Test the hospitality!
