autoevolution
 

Extreme Snowboarder Gets Towed by 1,200 HP Airplane at 125 KM/H

Just driving at 50 km/h has the potential to kill you, so being towed behind a boat deserved to be called "extreme sport." However, for some people that's not enough. Take Jamie Barrow, who decided he would try and snowboard behind an airplane.
Extreme Snowboarder Gets Towed by 1,200 HP Airplane at 125 KM/H 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
We've seen people using supercars to tow themselves through water and everything from jet skis to 4x4 used on land. But this takes things to the next level.

The scene is just as epic as the stunt, Engadin Valley in Switzerland, a skiing resort few can afford. Next up, we have an awesome airplane, the Pilatus PC-12. Its single Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 turboprop engine generates 1,200 horsepower, so it's like being pulled by two Lamborghini Huracans.

This isn't Jamie's first daredevil towing stunt. In 2014, he set the world record for fastest snowboarder towed behind a vehicle, which earned him the title of Britain's fastest snowboarder. Oh, and did we mention that he used miniature jet engines to move down a slope before? What a guy!

In the video, you can see the plane hitting 125 kilometers per hour or 77 mph, which is its takeoff speed. Any further than that and Barrow could have been the fastest man airborne behind an aircraft.

Some preparations needed to be made prior to this event. A very long snow-covered strip had to be created near the side of the runway. However, the airport was still operational for regular traffic during the entire stunt.

It might be worth knowing that Australian Darren Powell holds the record for snowboards at 126 mph, so this isn't that big of a deal. But watching man and machine in harmony is what we enjoy the most.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories