What a jump!

Don't know if anyone caught this video, but it is a serious thrill seeker called Alexander Polli who base jumps through a hole in the rocks in Northern Spain. It is a hair raising jump and the video shows him practising trying to get through a particular target area that leaves very little room for error. With the wing suit he is able to propel himself forward as he falls. He jumps from a helicopter and as I watch, my mind is full of questions about what kind of mathematical modelling was done before hand and how much was left to fine adjustment and instinct on the day. Watch the video and see what questions come to your mind!

My questions are these?

• What was the margin for error?
• How was windspeed considered?
• He is clearly making adjustments at the start.... based on instinct?
• How accurately can the helicopter get in the right starting position?
• What function will model the jump?
• What was the modelling process?

I have asked via his twitter account for some of this infomation, somewhat optimistically, but you never know! Either way, this seems like a good way to discuss mathematical modelling. If you liked that one, try these below as well...

and one that nearly went wrong....(you need to watch until the end)