FIRST SKYDIVING SPEED RECORD IN THE JET STREAM
Promoting untapped wind energy on TV
The Challenge
The jet stream is one of the most powerful energy sources of our planet, but most of us are not aware of this high-altitude wind power. How could we spread this information on a global scale?
The Solution
Create a world record skydiving mission in the jet stream, capture the story in an action packed documentary. As with other films Claudio has made, the programme will be broadcast on an international news channel such as BBC World News TV.
We will take off, but we need some extra cash to cover the documentary production budget and the balloon ride
Our sponsors will help us make the exploration a reality.
However, we are relying on crowdfunding support for the film production and potentially for the relocation to Australia if we can't jump in Switzerland before mid-March 2018.
The adventure in a nutshell
- Goal: Flying forward in freefall as fast as possible by using the jet stream as a tailwind!
Raise awareness about the untapped clean energy potential of the jet stream.
- Stunt: First human flight (skydive) inside the jet stream.
- Skydiving Suit: No wingsuit, just a normal skydiving suit.
- Skydiver: World Record Holder Marc Hauser
- Aircraft: Hot air balloon
- Altitude: approx. 34,000ft / 10'000m above sea level
- Temperature: -50° Celsius/ -58 °F
- Wind speed: +80kn | +150 km/h (hopefully even faster)
- Expected forward ground speed: +200 m/ph | +320 km/h
- Place: Switzerland or Australia (after mid-March)
- Date: This winter/springtime 2018
- International media partners
My dream - flying the jet stream
Marc Hauser, born 1971, lives in Bern, Switzerland and has two adult daughters.
Marc is an entrepreneur, an adventurer and a skydiving pioneer. In 2012 he created the Speed-Tracking discipline and reached a horizontal speed of 304 km/h, 188 mph without tail wind. This is still an unbroken world record in forward speed for a skydiver without wingsuit.
First World Record by Marc Hauser 2012 over Empuriabrava, Spain: 304 km/h | 188mp/h
As JET STREAM SUPERMAN Marc is now looking for the strongest possible tailwind in the jet stream to beat his own 2012 record and explore the energy potential of high-altitude wind-power.
Documentary filmmaker Claudio von Planta
Claudio von Planta is a star himself. He filmed Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on motorcycle journeys around the world and across Africa. Claudio was the third guy on the bike in Long Way Round and Long Way Down. Now he will produce a documentary about Jet Stream Superman, which we are confident will be broadcast on an international TV channel, such as BBC World News.
Ewan McGregor | Claudio von Planta | Charley Boorman
MEDIAPARTNERS
We will be looking to licence the documentary to a number of TV channels, among them BBC World News, which has shown an interest in this story and where Claudio has been honoured to have his films shown previously.
They started to cover the preparations in Switzerland and will provide agency news about Marc's record jump to many media organisations in Europe.
KEYSTONE interview with Marc Hauser in Crans Montana, Switzerland winter 2017/2018
Why we need your support?
Your support will help us to take off and jump and produce an awe inspiring film that will be seen around the world on some of the most prestigious channels available.
What we need
Budget positions:
- Skydiving training in Spain: travel, accommodation, car rentals etc.
- Hot air balloon training and jumps
- Risk Insurances
- Special Equipment: cameras, thermal protection, clothing
- Additional crew for the film production: extra cameramen, editors, graphic designers
Most likely this crowdfunding campaign will not close the holes in our pockets but it will allow us to produce a better documentary and this will be essential to inspire a global audience.
Film and event production budget
A broadcast quality documentary shot on various international locations typically costs $4.000 USD per minute. BBC World News TV has expressed an interest in acquiring our film as 3 x 22 minute programmes. That's a production budget of $264.000 USD. But first we have to finance the production on our own.
Fortunately a highly experienced freelancer like Claudio can survive on a smaller budget because he is used to film, direct and edit on his own. However, at rock bottom Claudio will still need about $40.000 USD to cover a minimal fee and his expenses for equipment, travel and accommodation. In addition he will have to hire some extra crew and equipment for a multi-camera shoot to capture the finale of Marc's record jump.
Claudio will also have to hire experts to polish the post-production of the film because professional colour grading, music and sound-design will be essential for a broadcast quality film. These indispensable cost for extra manpower will add another $10.000 USD to our budget.
- For the film production we are aiming to raise $50.000 USD
- If we can't jump in Switzerland we will need an additional $30.000 USD for expenses to relocate our event to Australia.
- We are looking at a total of $80.000 USD
What you get
With our campaign you will be part of a journey towards the new field of high altitude wind power. That makes you an explorer as well. And you can be on board of our hot-air balloon!
At least your picture/ your logo can.
You can get
- Vouchers for FORMEX Swiss watches
- Links for the film documentary
- 24-karat gold leaf directly from the jet stream
- Personal Thank-You-Videos
- Swiss watches (limited mechanicals, this perk is coming soon)
- Private workshops with Marc or Claudio via Skype
- Advertising space on the jet stream balloon basket poster
- Breathtaking jet flights and meetings with the team in Australia
Hot-air balloon training in Switzerland 2017 with Raphaël Granito | Marc Hauser | Tom Naef
The energy background of the jet stream
High-altitude wind power could be the answer to our energy problems.
Just a small part of the jet stream power could make the job.
There are innovative companies like TWINGTEC involved in this new business field.
They do not reach jet stream altitude yet. But it's a first step towards a brighter future.
For our documentary we also visited the Weathermuseum near Berlin, Germany. They still hold the high altitude world record for kites at jet stream levels of 31.955ft | 9740m.
The record was set in 1919. Imagine: This world record kite reached jet stream altitude!
In 2016 Bill Gates mentioned the jet stream as one of the "energy miracles" of the future.
The meteorology of the jet stream
The jet stream over Switzerland can be really strong.
What we need is a combination of good weather on the ground, not too much clouds in the air and fair winds at 34.000 ft/ 10'000m above sea level. Sounds like a piece of cake? It's not.
Our meteorologist Dr. Ralph Rickli, a highly experienced expedition weather forecaster.
At Windy.com you can check the jet stream at your place in realtime.
The risks
Skydiving can be dangerous.
But skydiving from above 30.000 feet is even more risky.
We have to deal with
- low density air and oxygene levels - danger of hypoxia
- temperatures below -50° Celsius/ -58 °F
- commercial and military airplanes at these flight levels
- and heavy winds - that's what we are looking for
Scary moments before exit
The solution
Training and preparation is everything.
We established a team with the best experts in aviation.
From N°1 ranked hot air balloon pilots to riggers, oxygen specialists, military doctors, and freefly camera men. But the adventure still remains dangerous.
Hot-air balloon of Swiss champion Stefan Zeberli
Why we will be the game changers?
It all comes down to mass when you want to accelerate in freefall.
That's why I had to gain weight. By the way, that was one of the best parts of the adventure.
Now with my giant size of 200cm/ 6'7'' and my 110kg/ 242 lbs I am a living cannonball.
I am by far not the best skydiver. But my body makes me pretty fast.
As a good skydiver you could try to catch me in freefall. But it could be physically impossible.
With 20 years of experience as a glider pilot and single engine pilot I have a good understanding of aerodynamics. And my Swiss bullhead gives me the mental power and will to succeed.
Pressure chamber test at Swiss Army:
Claudio von Planta | Stefan Zeberli (hot air ballon pilot) | Marc Hauser
We will takeoff anyway - so why should you contribute?
Since we are already on stand by for takeoff you may think:
"Let them do their job and I will enjoy the show."
No, we would miss a crucial trick.
To capitalise fully on the broadcast opportunity with BBC World News and win maximum global attention we need to complete and release our documentary as soon as possible.
Speed is everything like for Marc in the jet stream. We will have to hire extra man power to finish our post-production with tight deadlines . Your crowdfunding support will make that possible.
Where do we take off and land?
Until mid-March we can start and land in Europe. We plan to take off in Germany, the jet stream will bring us over Switzerland, where I will land with my parachute. And the balloon will fly to Italy and land in the region of Milano.
Plan B is Australia
Form mid March onwards the thermal winds will be too strong for a balloon flight in Europe during daytime. Then we would have to re-locate to Australia. This option would give us some nice new opportunities... but as well some extra expenses, for sure.
The fundraising for the Australian Plan B Budget of 20k could become our second goal after mid March.
Steve Gale, our jet pilot and supporter when we will have to re-locate to Australia.
The two jets of Steve Gale in Australia.
We are planning a formation flight with 2 jets, 1 hot air balloon, 1 skydiver.
Good to know: Steve is a committed fan of our project and he is offering these expenses...
After the successful jump: Spreading the word!
As an adventurer I am on stages as a keynote speaker on a regular basis. - Not so much during the last months of the training. This will change after completing our mission in the sky!
I am already looking forward to spread the word about our fascinating clean energy project.
Marc Hauser at TEDx in Hamburg, Germany
How you can support us without money
We are more than happy to get your attention for our project.
And if you could
share our Website or the campaign link you could do us a huge favor!
Thank you so much.
What could happen if we don't reach our funding goal?
We would start crying. Then we would takeoff anyway.
But here is the real problem:
- The post production of the documentary after the jump would take ages.
The reason for that: we could not hire additional post-production experts to support Claudio.
- We could not afford 3D-graphics and smart animations to illustrate the complexity of this clean energy phenomenon and the technology background of the jump
- Therefore a lot of viewers would miss the sustainability point
- I would try to play the guitar and Claudio would try to sing the background music. We both are pretty sure one should avoid that experience.
And last but not least we would never ever start an adventure funded by ourselves again.
Not because it was not funny, it really was! - But because our pockets would remain empty.
"See you soon - at the other side of the jet stream."
Marc Hauser | Bern Switzerland | February 2018
Thank you so much for your contribution and support!
You are our TRUE heroes!
FAQ's
Please feel free to ask your questions about our adventure. We will answer them asap.