While others pound the pavement James McKew soars the skies.
His sport of choice is wingsuit flying – the sport of gliding through the air using a wingsuit.
McKew is an experienced wingsuit racer and has completed more than 400 flights.
“Human flight helps me find emotional balance and gives me something to focus on,” said McKew.
“For others it might be sailing, mountain biking, even fishing – or perhaps a more mainstream sport.”
The 28-year-old placed third at the 2017 Australian National Skydiving Championships for Wingsuit Racing and was selected as part of a three-man Australian squad to compete at the world’s top wingsuit competition – the World Cup of Wingsuit Flying.
McKew will proudly wear a custom-branded Invictus Games Sydney 2018 race suit to showcase the healing power of sport and how it can help wounded, injured and ill current and former service personnel overcome mental and physical challenges.
While wingsuit racing is not included in the Invictus Games, McKew says the sport has contributed significantly to his mental health and a positive outlook on life.
“I urge everyone to go out and find something they are passionate about, something they can focus on, that will bring them joy even in the toughest times,” he said.
McKew is a highly experienced wingsuit pilot who often flies in very close proximity to others at speed in excess of 250 kilometres per minute, a term referred to as “flocking”.
It inspired McKew to create the ‘Wingman Project’.
“Flocking is all about trusting and having confidence in your mates,” said McKew.
“This is the same during operations or for veterans when they return home. It is important for everyone to have a wingman they trust, to watch their back and support them through the tough times.”
The FAI World Cup of Wingsuit Flying will run from 1-9 November 2017.