About us
Phoenix-Fly's
main goal is the design, development and production
of state-of-the-art high performance wingsuits
for skydiving and BASE-jumping. Our product range
also includes tracking pants, jackets and other
accessories for skydiving and BASE.
The
founder of Phoenix-Fly is Robert Pecnik, the designer of the first commercial wingsuit and co-founder of BirdMan International,
Inc.
Robert started his skydiving career in Zagreb, Croatia in 1982. Since his early
skydiving days, he has produced and tailored a number of RW suits. |
In
1997, inspired by the late Patrick de Gayardon, Robert
began working on a new wingsuit design. His first design
was revolutionary, primarily
in the field of safety. The quick wing release system provided the wingsuit
flyer with the option to quickly and safely detach the wings in case
of an emergency; thus enabling the jumper to continue his jump like a
regular skydive by allowing complete movement of the arms.
Robert has designed
a number of improved wingsuits that have reached performance
levels that until now were never thought to be possible.
Today, Robert is reaching new heights with his new company, Phoenix-Fly.
Robert has selected Baxter Gillespie, Robert Jones, Jeannoel Itzstein and James
Boole as Phoenix-Fly Instructor Examiners for the USA and Europe respectively.
Baxter, Robert, Jeannoel and James will be responsible for training Phoenix-Fly
Instructors around the world as well as providing advanced
training.
Product
Development at Phoenix-Fly
Concept Design
  The
development process begins simply with an idea. This idea
is then fleshed out with sketches and scaled drawings.
The mission that the product is destined to fulfill is carefully
considered from concept through production.
We incorporate valuable feedback that is supplied to us
by the world’s best trackers and wingsuit pilots, as well
as from our body of customers around the world.
 Research and Development
2D flow simulation
software is used to assist in wing profile selection and
design optimization. The
results of these tests may inspire us to make adjustments
and base design alterations, so
this is usually an iterative part in the process.
 For
our more complex products and components, such
as the arm wing of the Vampire V-1 for example,
CAD
software is utilized to help realize the complex
3D forms required to provide superior flight characteristics.
Phoenix-Fly is continually looking for new materials
technologies to incorporate into our products,
such as the Dacron and Mylar used on the Vampire.
Prototype and Testing
Once the design is completed on paper, the first prototype
is created and tested. Robert and our team of test
jumpers assess all aspects of the new design; performance,
durability and comfort are all evaluated to ensure
a premium product.
 Industrialization
Once the wingsuit design has been finalized, the industrialization
process begins. This is an extremely critical and
challenging process. The Vampire 2 is made up of
nearly 300 separate components and templates, and
must be individually produced for each suit.
Manufacture
 Our
wingsuits are produced in Slovenia, by Atair Aerodynamics
(manufacturer of the Troll and Radical canopies).
Phoenix-Fly suits are built with the same exceptional
standards that are applied to canopy-building, a
difference that is immediately noticed when you pick
up one of our wingsuits.
 Our
resident aerodynamics expert and owner of Atair Aerodynamics,
Stane Krajnc, assists in the design and testing stages
of the development cycle. His proficient knowledge
of aerodynamics is based not only on his academic knowledge,
but also on 30 years of experience in air sports, including
hang-gliding, paragliding, skydiving and BASE jumping.
Quality Control
 All
Phoenix-Fly products go through a rigorous quality
control check before they are sent to the customer.
In the case of the Vampire 2, 100% of the suits
are personally checked by Robert before dispatch.
Check
back again soon for new wingsuit and tracking products
coming from Phoenix-Fly.
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