Here’s the thrilling moment when a daredevil in a wingsuit soared through an active volcano from 11,000 feet above the ground after skydiving with a helicopter.
Sebastián Álvarez, who began his career flying for the Chilean Air Force, teamed up with fellow skydiver Dani Roman in order to fly through the 200m-wide crater of Villarrica, also known as ‘the devil’s house’, in Chile.
Video footage shows how the extreme sports enthusiast made multiple unsuccessful attempts before ultimately completing his mission at an incredible speed.
During the clip, which was shared on November 29, Mr Álvarez prepares for the dangerous feat ahead and This is his most complex project, he tells viewers.
Sebastián Álvarez, who began his career flying for the Chilean Air Force, sits at the edge of the helicopter before taking the plunge
Skydivers soar through the air, after leaping from helicopters. They then head towards an active volcano.
In Chile, the adrenaline-hungry pilot flies through Villarrica’s crater, which is also known as “the devil’s home”.
According to him, “It was definitely the most difficult project I have worked on because of the unpredictable factors.”
‘For me the mind work was the most relevant aspect, understanding that I wanted to fly into an active volcano and attempt to get out of it.
“So I found myself facing a wall for a brief moment in that flight.”
He says that all factors can be controlled or predicted. The human factor is in my case training. There’s also the weather element, which can be predicted, but volcano activity is completely beyond our control.
“One day it could be extremely active, pulsing lots smoke, and then the next day it can be completely calm. Having all these variables in one flight is very complicated.
Dani Roman is a fellow skydiver and says: “The truth is, when he said it to me that I believed it was crazy.
“At first I didn’t know it was there.
“After some calculations, it appeared to be possible. Later I realized it was achievable but still had doubts.”
During his first attempt at the stunt, Mr Álvarez sits at the edge of the helicopter before plunging towards the smoking crater below him.
However his flare, the manoeuvre that allows wingsuit pilot’s to get a final slingshot of speed, is not strong enough and the skydiver cannot complete the stunt.
Mr Álvarez gets into position and heads towards the smoking volcano below him
Mr Álvarez uses his arm to move towards in the direction of the crater before managing to fly in and out
According to the skydiver, it was “the most difficult project” he’d ever worked on.
Before jumping, the skydiver had completed 500 jumps.
Unfazed, the adrenaline-hungry junkie attempts a third and fourth attempt. But the fumes from the volcano and winds make the task impossible.
The following day, Mr Álvarez flies to a staggering height of 11,482ft before jumping out of the helicopter once more.
In preparation for this latest feat, the skydiver did 500 jumps and then he was able to increase his speed and pressure. He then dips into the crater and launches himself back out.
Mr Álvarez has also completed a number of other stunts – including passing through the twin towers of Vina del Mar in Chile, BASE jumping from Mont Blanc in the Alps and carrying out a wingsuit Fly on Cerro Manquehue Santiago, Chile.