Tucson Now: Local Business Owner Breaks Skydiving Record
By Makayla Goos | Published: Oct. 1, 2026 at 1:21 AM GMT+2 | Updated: 1 hour ago
|
Arizona Native Sets State Record for Freefall Speed
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Niklas Daniel, an Arizona native and co-founder of AXIS Flight School, has achieved a remarkable feat by setting the Arizona State record for the greatest freefall speed.
From his early teens, Daniel was captivated by aviation, starting with sailplanes and eventually venturing into skydiving. He describes skydiving as a technical sport with various disciplines, including artistic, speed, and formation jumping.
Daniel's focus is on speed skydiving, where he recently made history at the USPA National Championships. He reached an incredible 337.19 miles per hour, securing his 5th consecutive National speed title.
The Sport of Skydiving
"It’s not this adrenaline-fueled thing; it’s a very technical sport," Daniel explained.
Skydiving encompasses various categories, each requiring specific skills and equipment. While the speed discipline is about achieving high velocities during freefall, other forms involve creative formations or artistic performances at altitude.
Upcoming World Championships
With his recent achievements, Daniel is now gearing up for the World Championships, aiming to defend his title. He shared his experience with 13 News’ Makayla Goos on Tucson Now, discussing the intricacies of skydiving and his journey towards setting records.