Rule for the World Altitude Record

In recognition of the changes in equipment design used by persons in their attempt on the World Altitude Record the Bureau has modified the rule wording to allow for this and thus not deny someone the actual record. The IPC Bureau Interim Decision is published below.

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Bureau Interim Decision No. 2008/18/06 Date – 22 June 2008 Subject Altitude Records – FAI Sporting Code, Section 5, 3.3.2 (1) This section states ‘The record performance of an altitude jump is the distance of the freefall measured in metres. Altitude jump records are beaten only if there is a difference of at least 2 per cent greater freefall distance.’ Details The issue as to whether a descent made using a ‘stabilisation device’ could qualify as an Altitude Record has arisen, as the use of a stabilisation device can be interpreted as not being freefall (as required by SC 5, 3.3.2 (1)). Bureau Decision The IPC Bureau approved two categories of Altitude Record, within SC 5, 3.2.2 (1) : a) The distance of freefall, without the use of any stabilisation device, measured in metres. b) The distance of fall, using a stabilisation device other than an open parachute, measured in metres. A permitted stabilisation device is a device that is intended to prevent the parachutist from being unstable or out of control.