Guinness
Guinness Records
Thanks to the dynamic and forward thinking leadership of the State of Qatar and the Qatar Air Sports Committee, the athletes of the teams are never satisfied with just winning competitions. They want to share their expertise with the public, and push the boundaries of the sport.
This has led Qatar to break 5 World Records, all certified by the internationally recognized ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ and each of these records is a testament to their commitment to always push forward.
Introduction
Canopy (parachute) Formation Flying is an Air Sports discipline where skilled canopy pilots build a pre-designed formation in the sky. They link up by hooking a foot around the canopy suspension lines of the nearest pilot. This demands utmost concentration and skill, a single careless mistake can cause dangerous accidents. From exiting the plane, deploying their parachute, flying to their designated slot and hooking up, every step of building a formation demands focus and concentration. Remember, the formation is always moving forward in the sky, even when built, a formation is not static, but being flown by every canopy pilot involved.
Qatar’s World Records
Two of the Qatar Team’s records were made by building the world’s largest formation… at night! All of the high skill level requirements are ramped up by doing this in the dark, using only naturally available light.
Their first, remarkable record breaking formation was on the 19th November 2018 when they assembled 25 canopies in the air above DeLand, Florida. Observed, and verified, by the team from the Guinness World Record Book, a new benchmark was set by Qatar’s team. The official recipient on behalf of the Nation was Major General Hamad Futais Al Marri,
As always, in a highly competitive sporting environment, another nation’s team rose to the challenge and flew a bigger formation. This only served to inspire Qatar’s team to go bigger and better.
On 12th October 2022, in Zephyrhills, Florida, they successfully built a formation of 37 canopies, at night. Again, observed and verified by the Guinness Record team, a new ‘gold standard’ was set by Qatar. The official recipient on behalf of the nation was His Excellency, Dr. Khalid Al Attiya, former Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, along with the Commander of the Qatar Joint Special Forces.
January 11th 2021 at a drop zone in Portugal, the Qatar team set their sights on another record. In accordance with the ruling body (FAI) the team built a formation of 25 parachutes. Once set at least 1/3rd of the pilots had to break away from the formation and rebuild it by moving to a new position. They did this 5 times, observed by the Guinness Records people, and creating a new Guinness World Record. Travel restrictions due to the pandemic meant that the presentation was made by Video link, and the official recipient on behalf of the nation was His Excellency, Dr. Khalid Al Attiya, former Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister
Then, on 7th June 2021 in Zephyrhills, Florida, the team took on an even greater challenge. They first built a 25 way canopy formation, then, once set every member of the formation had to break away and reposition as they built a different formation. While the formation was still moving forward and downward through the air, every member had to break away and reposition. They did this incredible feat 4 times for another Guinness World Record. The recipient of the award on behalf of the nation was His Excellency, Dr. Khalid Al Attiya, former Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, and was witnessed by Sheikh Joann Al Thani.
Qatar’s Paramotor team have also got themselves into the Guinness Record book.
On 21st August 2023 in Jutrosin, Poland, Qatar’s Naif Al-Baloshi flew a paramotor over a 50 km course and achieved a record breaking speed of 86.62 kph (53.82 mph). Observed by competition judges and by the Guinness Book of World Records, Qatar teams set yet another benchmark. The award was officially received on behalf of the nation by Major General Jassim Al Attiya, Former Commander of Qatar Joint Special Forces.
First Guinness record for the Qatari skydiving team
November 19, 2018 - Deland, Florida, USA
The largest parachuting canopy formation at night is 25 people and was achieved the Qatarskydive team and the joint special forces (both Qatar)
Second Guinness record for the Qatari skydiving team
January 11, 2021 - Évora, Portugal
The most parachuting sequences in canopy formation by a team (FAI approved) is 5 and wasachieved the Qatar skydive team and the joint special forces (both Qatar)
Third Guinness record for the Qatari skydiving team
June 7, 2021 - Zephyrhills, Florida, USA
The most canopy formation in a full break large formation (FAI approved) is 4 and was achievedthe Qatar skydive team and the joint special forces (both Qatar)
Fourth Guinness record for the Qatari skydiving team
October 12, 2022 – Zephyrhills, Florida, USA
The largest parachuting canopy formation at night is 37 people wan was achieved the Qatarskydive team and the joint special forces (both Qatar)
Fifth Guinness record for Qatari Paramotor Pilot (Naif Al - Baloshi)
August 21, 2023 – Jutrosin, Poland
The fastest speed in a paramotor over a 50 km course (male) is 86.62 km/h (53.82 mi /h), andwas achieved by Naif Al-Baloshi(Qatar) of the Qatar Air Sports Committee / Joint SpecialForces.