Fraser Corsan will be facing the gravity defying challenge in a bid to raise vital funds for a cause close to his heart
In May 2017, British Wingsuit jumper and avid Armed Forces supporter Fraser Corsan, is travelling to the USA and Canada to attempt to break four of the biggest world records in Wingsuit flying. Jumping from a height of over 40,000 feet in what is called ‘Project Cirrus’, Fraser aims to break the distance record of 19 miles, speed record of more than 234 mph and the flight duration record of 9.06 minutes, whilst also breaking the current altitude record of 37,256ft, to raise £1million for SSAFA along the way!
Sixteen years ago, Fraser Corsan was one of only 15 wingsuit pilots globally. Since then, he has completed 1,300 flights, but this year’s extreme challenge is one of the biggest tests of his career. The jump will entail exiting an aircraft at over 40,000ft, whilst battling temperatures of minus 65 degrees Celsius and winds of up to200 mph.
Fraser has worked closely with the UK Armed Forces his entire career and is passionate about supporting SSAFA in the work it does. The vital fundraising target of £1million, would help to positively change the lives of serving personnel, veterans and their families through the incredible work that SSAFA does every day. Funds raised will go to support SSAFA’s work in the community through volunteer caseworkers and SSAFA’s confidential helpline Forcesline. It will also help SSAFA to assist service leavers with the difficult transition process out of the Forces via its mentoring scheme and provide welfare services for those veterans of working age who have struggled with the adjustment to civilian life.
In the run up to the jump, Fraser will be embarking on intense muscle and cardio training sessions, in addition to a practicing a set of specific safety drills in the event of Oxygen system, parachute or wingsuit failure. Multiple training flights over UK airfields are taking place when the weather permits, and Fraser also intends to do 100 further endurance flights to fine polish the technology and his flying style to ensure he reaches his goal.
Fraser’s attempts will be supported by Fujitsu, his current employer, and despite his years of experience in a wingsuit, this is a challenge that is only made possible through the support of innovative and revolutionary technology, developed by a dedicated team of specialists across a number of industries. His challenge exemplifies what Fujitsu is about – technology and humans working together to achieve breakthrough results, safely and securely, innovating through technology to achieve more.
Fraser comments: “This is going to be a testing challenge both physically and mentally in my bid to make wingsuit history. However, I am wholeheartedly committed to reaching my fundraising goal in knowing that the £1million target has the potential to help to change the lives of thousands of current serving personnel, veterans and their families through SSAFA’s amazing work”.
Tegan Jones, SSAFA Director of Fundraising said: “We are amazed by Fraser’s objective of smashing four World Records and trying to raise the £1million for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. All funds raised will go toward supporting anyone who is serving or has ever served in the British Armed Forces, and their families.”
To donate to SSAFA in support of Fraser’s incredible World Record attempts, visit http://projectcirrus.com/ where all donations raised will go directly to SSAFA.
Ends
Notes to editors
Fraser’s four World Record attempts will be:
- Highest altitude jumped in a wingsuit – target over 40,000ft. The current world record for the highest altitude wingsuit jump is 37,265 ft.
- Longest time flown in a wingsuit – target 10mins. The current world record for the longest time spent flying in a wingsuit is 9:06 mins.
- Highest speed flown in a wingsuit – target 250mph. The record for the highest speed reached in a wingsuit is 234 mph.
- Furthest distance flown in a wingsuit – target 20 Miles. 19 miles is the current world record for distance flown in a wingsuit.
Timeline of jumps (subject to change)
- Pre-May 2017 – training
- 18 May – fly to San Francisco, USA
- 19 May – travel up to Drop Zone
- 20/21 May – final check out of equipment
- 22-24 May – first jump window
- 25 May – travel to Ontario, Canada base location
- 26 May – standby for launch with all preparation complete
- 27/28/29/30/31 May – jump window for launching Balloon
About SSAFA
- SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity (formerly known as the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association), provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force including reservists, and their families.
- Each year, our professional staff and network of more than 6,500 volunteers help some 60,000 people, ranging from World War Two veterans to the families of young servicemen and women wounded or killed in Afghanistan.
- In 2005, 25% of the beneficiaries SSAFA supported locally across the UK were under 60 years of age, some ten years later; this figure has risen to over 40%.
For more information visit www.ssafa.org.uk and follow us on Twitter: @SSAFA
