DUBAI // Two world records for the most people skydiving from a balloon were broken in Dubai last month, Guinness World Records confirmed on Friday.
The records were for the most people to skydive from a balloon during a single flight and the most to skydive from a balloon simultaneously.
Skydive Dubai managed to get 40 people to parachute from a single balloon flight on February 10. The previous record of 30 was set by members of Paraclub Flevo, Lelystad in the Netherlands, in 2003.
Of those 40 jumps, 25 were simultaneous, breaking Paraclub Flevo's record of 20.
Talal Omar, from Guinness, said that for a record to be set, the balloon had to be at least 1,828 metres above the ground when the attempt took place. Breathing apparatus was allowed. For the simultaneous diving, the skydivers had to jump within a three-second window.
"We needed the weather to be perfect," said Mike Howard, a Skydive Dubai air balloon pilot. "It took us two weeks, planning [for] and preparing all the scenarios that might happen."
The record attempts took place in a desert drop zone in Mergam, 35 kilometres from Dubai.
One of the main challenges was finding 40 skydivers to take part.
Peter Kollar, the event's main pilot, was also trained on parachute emergency and safety procedures.
"We had no idea what would happen," said Raul Bocanegra, Skydive Dubai's desert campus manager. "The balloon might have become distorted, it could have rocked. We had no idea when it would stabilise."
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
