Level Wings Pilots
Professional speedriding and wingsuit BASE athlete Fred Fugen has joined the Level Wings pro-team. Fred has been a driving force in the free-flight industry, pioneering some of the worlds most creative and daring feats in the air.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I’m from France, I live in Chamonix.
What do you do for work?
Professional skydiver, BASE jumper, wingsuit pilot.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
First tandem paragliding flight in 1986 at 7 yo, first tandem skydive 1989 at 10 yo, started paragliding in 1995 at 16 yo, started skydiving in 1996 at 17 yo.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
My passion is to fly, I also do skiing, kitesurf.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying is all my life, in the sky is where I feel good, it means freedom and happiness. I also love the people I met along the way with who I share my passions.
Notable Accomplishments?
One of the speed riding pioneers (2001); 6 times FreeFly Skydiving World Champion (2004-2009);
FreeFlyBASE pioneer; Red Bull athlete since 2012; many BASE jumps/skydiving/wingsuit World
Firsts and World Records; Jetman pilot.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
I’m planning some projects in France, Italy, Colombia, Japan and Indonesia.
What is your spirit animal?
Cat.
Favorite color?
Orange.
How many languages do you speak?
French and English fluent, a bit Spanish, a bit Italian.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I am from Charleston, SC (also known as the Lowcountry). I bounce between South and North Carolina, USA.
What do you do for work?
I am a full time professional skydiver. I focus mostly on contracting with the military.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I was 19 when I started skydiving, 25 when I began speedflying/paragliding and 27 for Speedriding.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
I enjoy playing music. My first passion was drumming and I spent about 15 years obsessing over that. Nowadays I mostly dabble with guitar. In my teenage years and early twenties, I dabbled in downhill skateboard racing, which I would not recommend. I also enjoy BASE jumping, skydiving, skiing, motorcycles, hunting and camping. I used to surf a lot when I lived in San Diego. I miss that.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
It allows me to allocate 100% of my focus to one thing, which is really difficult for me. Flying allows me to express myself with verbalizing anything. There isn’t really a solidified lane to stay in which I really like.
Notable Accomplishments?
I have several international canopy piloting completion placings, a bunch of American canopy piloting medals, a national title in the advanced class and a second and third place back to back nationals result. I am a current US Parachute Team member and have qualified for the team in the past on both the canopy and freefall sides. I also have a freefly world record, which has since been broken.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
I want to continue to cross pollinate skydive canopy piloting with ground launching wings. Skydiving inspired my style of speedflying/riding tremendously as well the inverse. There is still so much to be evolved on both planforms/disciplines. In Speedriding, I want to explore more of North and South America as well as northern India and Pakistan. That’s the locational dream. On the skydiving side, I just want to finally land a touch down barrel on land with my skydiving wing. All of the techniques I learned in gaining altitude while doing a barrel roll I learned from my FURY 9.
What is your spirit animal?
A Brussels Griffon.
Favorite color?
Turquoise/teal/mint/sea foam (pretty much the level wings color).
How many languages do you speak?
Two
Where are you from and where do you live?
I am from Chambery, France and I live in Valmeinier/Valloire ski resort (Savoie).
What do you do for work?
Paragliding instructor since 2000, speed riding since 2009, and mini-wing since 2021 (Manager of Envergure Parapente in Valmeinier).
Pilot and manager of Snake Glisse activities in Valmeinier.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I have been flying paragliders since 1991 and speed riding since 2006.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
Skiing, Kitesurfing, Surfing
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying is my passion since a very young age, the feeling of freedom and gliding brings me a lot of serenity and pleasure, the basis of life. I am lucky to live in a different reality. Flying close to the ground is my reason for living.
Notable Accomplishments?
3rd French Junior Championship Paragliding Precision Landing in 1991. 7th Waggas Festival 2004, 5th Waggas Festival 2005.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
Continue to travel in the off-season, fly and discover new wind spots mainly by the sea.
What is your spirit animal?
Le Puffin cendré (waggateur des mers).
Favorite color?
Blue.
How many languages do you speak?
French and a little English.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I’m from Gex, France. A small town close to Jura Mountain and Geneva. I live in Val d’Isere the last 13 years.
What do you do for work?
I’m a ski instructor. During the summer, I’m a builder, craftsman, artist, and pilot.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I started to fly at 14 years old in 2004.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
I love outdoor activities, art and design. Surfing, mountain hiking, drawing, skydiving, paragliding, traveling, and of course speed flying/riding. With a new obsession of parakites.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying is the only thing that makes me enter into a state of concentration and clear my mind. For me, flying is pure freedom. The pleasure of piloting and playing with the elements in 3 dimensions.
Notable Accomplishments?
Some nice air stunts with friends.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
Fly and discover new places all around the world, speed riding unusual and beautiful places. I never want to stop learning new activities. I plan to become a French Paragliding and Speed Riding Instructor.
What is your spirit animal?
Hummingbird.
Favorite color?
Pink.
How many languages do you speak?
French, English, Spanish.
Where are you from and where do you live?
From Val d’Isere, France
What do you do for work?
I am ski instructor and many different small jobs.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I started flying in Val d’Isere during the summer 2017.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
I like many outdoor sports. (Skiing, Biking, Slackline, Skateboarding)
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying is part of my life now. I need to fly to feel good in the normal life.
Notable Accomplishments?
LEO’S INVITATIONAL ( 2019 / 2022 / 2024 )
Professional skier
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
I want to make LEOS INVITATIONAL BIGGER and show to the world the beauty of this sport.
What is your spirit animal?
Crow.
Favorite color?
Purple.
How many languages do you speak?
French and English.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I’m from Italy living between Sardegna and Val D’Isere
What do you do for work?
I’m a ski instructor and a sailboat captain
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I started this beautiful sport in 2020 but I would say I’m more into it the last 2 years. I was 22 years old
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
I love outdoor activities, maybe I do to many, sailing, climbing, wing foiling, mountain biking.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying gives me the purest feeling of freedom of movement.
It is really like staying in a 4th dimension. And for sure the flying community is the best.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
I would really love to find a bit more time especially during the summer period to travel the world while flying fast ;)
What is your spirit animal?
Eagle.
Favorite color?
Military Green.
How many languages do you speak?
I speak Italian, English, a bit of Portoguese. But i make a lot of promises so next winter season i will be fluent in french ;)
Where are you from and where do you live?
I’m originally from Vladivostok, a city located in the far east of Russia, but currently, I split my time between Saint Petersburg and Moscow when I’m not busy with work or traveling.
What do you do for work?
I work as a Traveling iFLY Trainer for Royal Caribbean, where I train indoor skydiving instructors on five cruise ships equipped with wind tunnels. When I’m not at sea, I spend my time helping to run speedflying courses at FLYLAB school.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I started speedflying in 2021 at the age of 33.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
Like many athletes in our field, I do skydiving, paragliding, skiing, but tunnel flying is my true passion.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying brings me immense joy and a sense of harmony that my soul craves. It’s a form of moving meditation for me, and the experiences that come with it—like exploring the mountains and connecting with a community of like-minded friends—are priceless.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
In the next couple of years, I hope to relocate to the western Alps region so I can focus most of my free time on practicing various mountain sports.
What is your spirit animal?
Fox.
Favorite color?
Teal.
How many languages do you speak?
So far, I speak only two languages — Russian and English
Where are you from and where do you live?
I am from Praz sur Arly, France. Now I live in Val d’Isere, France.
What do you do for work?
I am an instructor of skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, and speedriding.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I have dreamed of paragliding since very young, I fly paragliders since 2008 (14 years old) and mini wings since 2011 (17 years old)
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
My children, to pick genepy flowers, pumptrack, biking, construction of igloos, hiking in the mountains, to be with my friends.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying is a huge sensation of freedom, the possibility of sharing this sensation with a passenger, whether in a contemplative or sensational way.
Notable Accomplishments?
My mother’s favourite son.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
You know, I just survived 2 years of training for the DEJEPS Vol Libre, so the goal is to really enjoy life with the people I love.
I still have a little dream of infinity tumbling in the back of my mind.
What is your spirit animal?
If I can not be a real bird in this life, I would like to be a falcon in the next.
Favorite color?
Blue.
How many languages do you speak?
French, English. One day I will learn Spanish and Portuguese.
Where are you from and where do you live?
Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and Salt Lake City, Utah.
What do you do for work?
Sales for a global staffing company
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
19 y/o, 2022.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
Skiing, cooking, sewing, and laying in the grass with my dog.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
I feel like everyone dreams about flying… well I actually get to! A bit of nylon makes every hike a destination and I get to explore places I never would’ve imagined. I’ve also got the privilege to fly with some of the best pilots and my closest friends.
Notable Accomplishments?
My mother’s favourite son.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
Explore the Canadian Rockies and find new flights. Eventually buy a quiet home near the mountains with a huge yard for my dog and I to relax.
What is your spirit animal?
Red Kite.
Favorite color?
Purple.
How many languages do you speak?
English and Spanish.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I am from France and live in Chamonix with family heritage from Japan.
What do you do for work?
Ski instructor.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I started flying at 15 years old.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
Skiing, Paragliding, Climbing, Mountaineering, Mountain Biking.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying is important to me as an escape to the mountains, it means freedom.
Notable Accomplishments?
Flying and speed riding from Mont Blance and many speed riding runs around Chamonix.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
Pakistan expédition.
What is your spirit animal?
Léopard.
Favorite color?
Blue.
How many languages do you speak?
French, English, Japanese.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I live in a small village near the Avoriaz ski resort.
What do you do for work?
I am in my 2nd year of high school.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I began flying paragliders in 2022 at 12 years old and I began speedriding/flying some months after.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
really like to ski and discover new sports.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying is important to me because I like to have sensations and above all I fly to have fun.
Notable Accomplishments?
My first stall in a paraglider (I was very scared).
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
I would like to discover new sports, have fun, and not get injured.
What is your spirit animal?
Si j’arrive pas à être un vrai con dans cette vie, j’aimerais bien être un faucon dans celle d’après. Une petit teigne rapide et joueuse qui mange de la barbak!
Favorite color?
Purple.
How many languages do you speak?
French. A little English and Spanish.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I am from Nice, France (south of the Alps) and I have now lived in Chamonix for 9 years.
What do you do for work?
I work as a sommelier.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I started flying 5 years ago and since then I fly every flyable day.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
I love alpinism, snowboarding, skiing and hiking with my dog.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying is a complement of all the sports you can do in the mountains. Hike and fly, climb and fly, ski and fly.
Notable Accomplishments?
Soaring at the top of Europe with a 13sqm Level wing.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
I want to do more combining flying with other sports in the Mont Blanc valley, climb and speedfly Grandes Jorasses, also hike La Verte and speedride the east face.
What is your spirit animal?
The husky because you can be very wild one day and very friendly the other day.
Favorite color?
Black is my favorite color.
How many languages do you speak?
I speak French, English, and Italian.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I am from the Paris region and now I live between Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
What do you do for work?
I am a ski instructor.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I started flying in 2021 at 21 years old.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
I love to ski, snowboard, rock climbing, and alpinism.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying for me is freedom and ease in the mountains.
Notable Accomplishments?
3ème championnat de France Junior de précision d’atterrissage parapente 1991, 7ème Waggas Festival 2004, 5eme Waggas Festival 2005.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
I love taking pictures, making little videos with friends, and mixing several of my passions into one video.
What is your spirit animal?
Wolf.
Favorite color?
Pink.
How many languages do you speak?
French and English.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I am from Bretagne, France and I live in Bourg St Maurice since 2005.
What do you do for work?
I work as a ski lift mechanic in Val d’Isere.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I began speedriding in 2012.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
Skiing, sky diving, base jumping.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Feeling of freedom and escape.
Notable Accomplishments?
Being part of the Level Wings family.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
Continue to be part of beautiful flying sessions with friends.
What is your spirit animal?
Cat.
Favorite color?
Blue.
How many languages do you speak?
French and a little English.
Where are you from and where do you live?
From Chicago. USA , Live in Baja, Mexico and Valfrejus, France.
What do you do for work?
Self-employed.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
Skydiving 24 years, Speedriding paragliding 14years, Paramotoring 10 years, Airplanes 6 years.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
Surfing, Surfing, and Surfing.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
It’s basically all I do.
Notable Accomplishments?
My Kids.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
Getting pitted surfing a barrel brah.
What is your spirit animal?
Buddy, my dog.
Favorite color?
Black.
How many languages do you speak?
English, terrible French, and even worse Spanish…but I am trying.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I grew up in the suburbs of chicago until I was 5, I then moved to Dubai until I was 10, after that we moved back to the suburbs of chicago where I finished all of middleschool and highschool.
I now currently live in Tucson Arizona where I am a second year student at the University of Arizona
What do you do for work?
I am a flight instructor and full time business student.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I started indoors skydiving at 5 years old, speedriding at 9 years old, and flying planes at 16.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
I love fitness and exercising by lifting weights and playing basketball. I enjoy pushing myself to try new things and teaching others.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Earlier in my life flying was something that gave me confidence because I knew I was doing something difficult and unique. Flying has given me so many experiences that many other will never get from travelling to new places, seeing mountaintops, and giving me skills I appreciate for life. For this I am forever grateful for flying.
Notable Accomplishments?
Indoor skydiving: 2 time world dynamic 2 way champion, world dynamic 4 way champion, 7 time US national indoor skydiving champion.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
I want to reach 1500 flight hours and graduate from the University of Arizona on the deans list.
What is your spirit animal?
Eagle.
Favorite color?
Red.
How many languages do you speak?
Just English for now, working on my French.
Where are you from and where do you live?
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, in Illinois USA but I currently live in Tucson, Arizona.
What do you do for work?
I am a full time student at the University of Arizona, pursuing a career in aviation.
What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
In the wind tunnel at 7 years old, paragliding/speedriding in 2019, and I was 15 years old.
What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy?
I enjoy indoor skydiving, paragliding, piloting airplanes, hiking and reading.
Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
The best part of flying for me is the views that come with it. I love being up in the sky, feeling the wind on my face with nothing but mountains and snow below me.
Notable Accomplishments?
3 time world champion, 8 time national champion in tunnel. I am also a commercial-multi engine pilot.
Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
In the next two years I hope to be flying as a commercial jet pilot.
What is your spirit animal?
My cat who’s name is Bear.
Favorite color?
Blue.
How many languages do you speak?
English.
