Greatest horizontal distance parachute flight achieved by Shinichi Ito

Professional wing suit pilot Shinichi Ito has broken yet another record.

Ito previously set records for the greatest horizontal distance flown in a wing suit and fastest speed reached in a wing suit. This time, Ito had taken on a record-breaking attempt using parachute.

His latest record, the greatest horizontal distance parachute flight measures the distance from the moment the parachute is dispatched in the air to the time you touchdown. Ito dived from an altitude of around 10,000 m to achieve a flight lasting 46.2 km, reaching a top speed of 279 km/h (173.3 mph).

His achievement has seen him earn not only a place in Guinness World Records 2020, but his record has also helped launch this year's Guinness World Records (GWR) Day in Japan. GWR Day takes place in November and is a time for people around the world to attempt records, with this year's event adopting the theme Spirit of Adventure, encouraging people to push themselves as they go for a record-breaking challenge.

GWR Day

Diving from an altitude close to cruising altitude of passenger jet has serious effects on your body. For instance, nitrogen in your bloodstream can bubble up when you ascend quickly to high altitude (due to low air pressure). In order to remove nitrogen out of his veins, Ito breathes 100% oxygen while he is on the ground, as well as during ascent.

Jumping out from the aircraft is also different to diving from 3,000-4,000 m, according to Ito. 

"In normal altitude for skydiving, you can catch a lot of wind as you dive out from the aircraft, but when you dive out from 10,000 m, you don't. So it's easy to lose your balance. Bad balance at the start of your dive will mean you can't go faster or farther."

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Ito's first experience in skydiving happened when he first visited the US. A friend of his who lived there had told him of a new skydiving centre and offered to help book a dive on Ito's behalf. To that, Ito immediately replied: I'll fly tomorrow then.

After years of parachuting, his interest shifted to wing suits. This then led to multiple record-breaking attempts.

Of the six record titles Ito broke in total, the fastest speed record had the strong impact on him. "As I dived there were two layers of cloud underneath. When I looked at them as I was flying, they were moving underneath me at such a fast speed. At that moment I knew I was going much faster than ever before."

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Even after his latest achievement, Ito says he wants to continue diving, and hopefully break some more records.

"I'm always fascinated by this adventure of finding out how far a human being can go in the air. So long as I have the chance, I want to continue this voyage of the sky."

What will your adventure be?

Feeling inspired to attempt a Guinness World Records title yourself? Discover your Spirit of Adventure by finding out more about GWR Day, including how you can get involved on the day itself (Thursday 14 November). We realise everyone’s adventure is different, so whether it's taking on a new challenge, fulfiling a desire for adrenaline or perfecting your existing skills – there's a record waiting for you.

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