FELIX BAUMGARTNER (1969-2025)

Felix Baumgartner jumped out of the capsule at 38,969.4 m. His exit was perfect, but after passing through the sound barrier, and still hurtling towards earth at Mach 1.25, he went into a flat spin.

- - JOSEPH NORONHA

THE AVIATION WORLD WAS STUNNED ON JULY 17, 2025, BY news of the tragic passing of Felix Baumgartner, in Italy. The shock was intensified because he died not while executing one of his trademark daredevil feats, like breaking the world record for the highest skydive, but while engaged in something much more mundane - motorised paragliding.

Felix Baumgartner was born in Salzburg, Austria, on April 20, 1969. As a child, he was inspired by watching astronauts on television. He had two goals to become a skydiver and to fly a helicopter and he ultimately achieved both aims. At the age of 16, he completed his first skydive. He joined the Austrian military, and over the years, perfected his parachuting skills, learning to land safely even on tiny target zones.