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Red Bull Pilots to Attempt Midair Aircraft Swap

In Arizona this weekend, they’ll attempt to switch airplanes during free-fall. Here’s how it will work.

Pilots train and test dive in San Luis Obispo in preparation for the Plane Swap live feat on April 24, 2022. [Photo: Michael Clark / Red Bull Content Pool}
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Key Takeaways:

  • Red Bull Air Force pilots and cousins, Luke Aikins and Andy Farrington, will attempt the world's first dual mid-air airplane swap on April 24, free-falling from their individual planes and entering the other's.
  • The daring stunt requires specially modified Cessna 182s equipped with unique speed brakes and an autopilot system to maintain a stable 120 mph dive trajectory without pilots.
  • The event builds on the Red Bull Air Force's history of challenging aerial feats and highlights the extensive experience and family legacy of Aikins and Farrington in both flying and skydiving.
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Formation flying and skydiving are done everyday. But thus far, no one has combined formation flying and skydiving with the intent to switch airplanes at altitude. That could change on April 24, when Red Bull Air Force pilots and skydivers Luke Aikins and Andy Farrington, both flying solo, will attempt to swap airplanes in midair.

The Red Bull Air Force is made up of some of the most skilled and experienced pilots and skydivers in the world. The organization performs precision aerial demonstrations at air shows and sporting events and produces slick videos of pilots and skydivers seemingly defying—or at least challenging—the laws of physics. 

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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