Meet the Oldest Wingsuit Daredevil Defying Gravity Over Grand Traverse Skies

The oldest wingsuit pilot in Grand Traverse County may soon make history, as excitement ripples through the skydiving community across northwest Michigan.

On a clear morning, Don Watkins prepared to launch himself nearly two miles above Charlevoix, aiming to shatter the current Guinness world records skydiving milestone.

At age 77, Watkins stands a decade beyond the previous benchmark, fueling both admiration and curiosity among skydiving veterans and newcomers alike.

The wingsuit he wears, a robust Squirrel Swift, stretches from his wrists to his ankles, forming a powerful triangular canopy as he plunges toward the patchwork fields below.

He describes the feeling as "like becoming a human aircraft," pushing speeds well over 100 miles per hour before deploying his airfoil-shaped parachute.

Watkins' journey began not with a grand ambition for records but from a personal challenge—helping his son conquer summer boredom by taking up tandem skydiving years ago.

The sport has grown considerably in the region, thanks in part to local hotspots like skydive Charlevoix—a hub that once set its own regional record by welcoming more than 100 jumpers in a single day.

Wingsuiting draws far fewer participants than typical skydiving, demanding rigorous training and—until recently—hundreds of qualifying jumps before certification.

Recent reports suggest the northwest Michigan skydiving scene is intensifying, with newer facilities and fresh faces injecting even more energy into traditional launch zones like Charlevoix’s municipal airport.

Conditions must be just right—visibility, cloud cover, and even gusty winds all factor into the Go or No-Go decision for these gravity-defying flights.

Adding urgency to Watkins’ record attempt is the presence of witnesses who will verify every aspect of his flight for Guinness: a law officer, attorney, and public official are set to be on hand, alongside a skydiving photographer and a county sheriff, ensuring every regulation and safety check is met.

But this quest is about more than just etching a name in the record books.

Watkins is also leveraging his moment in the spotlight to raise awareness and funds for a Ukrainian charity supported by the team at skydive Charlevoix, an act that’s resonated deeply within the tight-knit local aviation community.

His mission captures both the daring spirit and the shared heart of Grand Traverse skydiving culture.