Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this exclusive interview, Matt Ryan of AvWeb sits down with Red Bull Air Force athletes Jeff Provenzano and Jon DeVore to discuss their most ambitious project yet: a wingsuit jump into the Alaskan night to witness the Aurora Borealis in flight.
For Jeff Provenzano, this wasn't just another jump it was the final chapter of a career-long goal to skydive in all 50 U.S. states.
Years in the making, the project required waiting for the perfect alignment of weather, solar activity, and the recovery of teammate Jon DeVore from a major injury.
Operating out of Palmer, Alaska, the team faced extreme conditions:
Total Darkness: The landing area was a "black canvas" north of Anchorage, requiring precise navigation and lit targets to avoid a dangerous "out landing" in freezing temperatures.
The Window: The jump was timed during a specific window with 12 hours of night and 12 hours of daylight to ensure the Aurora was visible while still allowing for daytime preparation.
First-Time Support: The mission featured pilot Wyatt Boone of Alpha Air, who successfully dropped his first-ever group of skydivers in high-pressure, nighttime conditions.
#RedBull #Skydiving #NorthernLights #Alaska #Wingsuit #Aviation #AvWeb #RedBullAirForce
In this exclusive interview, Matt Ryan of AvWeb sits down with Red Bull Air Force athletes Jeff Provenzano and Jon DeVore to discuss their most ambitious project yet: a wingsuit jump into the Alaskan night to witness the Aurora Borealis in flight.
For Jeff Provenzano, this wasn't just another jump it was the final chapter of a career-long goal to skydive in all 50 U.S. states.
Years in the making, the project required waiting for the perfect alignment of weather, solar activity, and the recovery of teammate Jon DeVore from a major injury.
Operating out of Palmer, Alaska, the team faced extreme conditions:
Total Darkness: The landing area was a "black canvas" north of Anchorage, requiring precise navigation and lit targets to avoid a dangerous "out landing" in freezing temperatures.
The Window: The jump was timed during a specific window with 12 hours of night and 12 hours of daylight to ensure the Aurora was visible while still allowing for daytime preparation.
First-Time Support: The mission featured pilot Wyatt Boone of Alpha Air, who successfully dropped his first-ever group of skydivers in high-pressure, nighttime conditions.
#RedBull #Skydiving #NorthernLights #Alaska #Wingsuit #Aviation #AvWeb #RedBullAirForce
