Ultimate in All-Around BASE Performance
Stability, Speed, and Flare Power for the Steepest Lines
The AURA series is designed specifically for technical wingsuit BASE lines. It offers the shortest start arc, accessible glide performance, and comfortable agility in steep terrain lines.
The A3 is a new design, evolved from our performance line. We combined the best attributes of our performance suits with the comfort and ease of use that the AURA series has become known for. In steep lines at high speeds, the A3 is the most stable suit available today.
Overall, the A3 is designed specifically for modern wingsuit BASE pilots. In the BASE environment, speed and glide are important, but not the only concern. Our mission for the A3 was to retain as much comfort and ease of use as possible. A moderate arm sweep, flexible panels at the wrist, and a new profile that is more pitch-stable in an arms-level configuration make it a true weapon in big mountains. The A3 remains comfortable at the steepest angles whether you fly with arms level, or in a slightly dihedral configuration.
Technology from our FAI World Championship winning CR+, and the C-RACE - which swept the podium of every major speed race in 2016 - are present in the A3 and are combined with the forgiving character that has made the AURA series the suit of choice for elite WS BASE jumpers. The result is a suit that we think will again play a role in the advancement of our sport.
For WS BASE jumpers focused on the lowest and most technical objects, particularly with low-overall-height such as in Moab, the A3GS version is now available.
THE START ARC
The AURA series opened most of Moab and many technical new exit points across the American West and the Alps. If a short start is a priority for you but you don’t want to lose speed and handling, then you’ve found what you’re looking for.
HANDLING
The root of the A3 design is a specific series of C-RACE protos that were very docile in pitch, with excellent agility. The A3 is easier to control than the A2 thanks to less surface area, and is more precise in steep turns, thanks to the increased pitch stability. The same competition-winning tech that put Squirrel pilots at the top of every major competition in the past two years is contained in the A3’s profile and planform.
SPEED
We worked hard to reduce drag, and the new Compression Inlet and smaller-surface planform have both contributed to the speed increase vs the A2. Like the A2, the A3’s speed is accessible, and requires no special tricks to engage. Simply stretch the suit lengthwise and give it some angle.
THE PULL
Like previous versions, a Glideskin section at the wrist aids in BOC and riser access. The A3's pull is clean and intuitive, and the two versions of leading edge foam are both removable – remove all foam to make BOC and riser access easier in the BASE environment. Watch this for a demonstration on riser control in Squirrel wingsuits.
THE FLARE
Every season, more pilots discover the possibility of flying up in a wingsuit as they upgrade to suits in which it is possible. The A3 flare power is increased over the A2, thanks to a faster top speed and a more efficient profile. Having a powerful flare at your disposal is important when disconnecting from terrain lines, and the A3 allows you to disconnect and distance yourself from terrain instantly and with great authority.
ONE WING TO RULE THEM ALL?
The A3 is designed specifically for BASE. It is not a race suit, or a competition suit, or a fun all-around skydiving suit. No suit can be perfect for every type of wingsuit flying. In order to try and make the A3 as versatile as possible, two versions of leading edge foam are provided. Both versions are removable. Use the thicker airfoil foam for skydiving, but only after you have become comfortable in the suit. We recommend using no foam, or only the 5mm sheet foam, for BASE jumping.
THE DESIGN
The AURA series focus is always on a short start arc combined with stability at steep angles and a high top speed. The A3's "traditional" leg wing design prevents unwanted diving at exit, making short starts easy. Each AURA is as comfortable at 1:1 as it is at >3.5:1.
THE PILOT
Experienced wingsuit flyers with several seasons of experience will adapt to the A3 quickly. Respecting the learning curve is essential, and the payoff is accessing all of the available performance. The A3 requires training. The expensive part is not the wingsuit - the expensive part is skydiving, training, traveling to the right locations to progress responsibly, and taking the time to make a safe progression. Training unlocks performance.
SKYDIVING
The A3 is designed for BASE jumping. We always recommend skydiving it to train for BASE. Please note that if your main focus is skydiving with only a couple of short BASE trips during the year, then we recommend a smaller surface area model for your primary suit, such as the FREAK series. If your focus is skydive performance flying, look to the C-RACE or CR+.
COMPRESSION INLETS
The BASE-Optimized compression inlet is lower drag and more efficient than previous versions. Squirrel's 3D reinforced inlet was the first in the industry. Often imitated, but never duplicated, the new Compression Inlet has a higher intake to drag ratio than any other design.
RAD
Rapid Arm Deployment. A carefully designed forearm segment of your leading edge allows improved access to your PC at pull time, and your risers / toggles during opening. This helps to make BOC access and early riser control safer and more intuitive than traditional designs. This video illustrates.
NEW NUTSACK
The new nutsack is accessed from the same location, but is a panel-wide flexible hammock which allows more storage and also keeps items higher / closer to your CG, and further from the leg inlets. Store your gear closer to your center of gravity without having it affect the fit of your suit.
LIGHT RIBS
Lightweight, durable, and more stable than mesh, Porcher Sport Skytex is renowned for its mechanical stability. Helps to reduce overall weight and pack volume.
INNIE-OUTIE (BASE MODE)
The A3 INNIE-OUTIE system is more durable, with reinforcements to protect your zippers. Easily transition between BASE Mode (harness inside), or Skydive Mode (harness outside). While in BASE mode, harness is entirely inside the chest compartment for less drag, and more glide (increased surface). There are no exposed holes when in BASE mode as the zippers close off the chest completely.
INNIE-OUTIE (SKYDIVE MODE)
Even if your focus is BASE jumping, it's important to be able to skydive your suit safely. While in skydive mode, handles are completely exposed at the chest and easy to access. For more info regarding this system's use in the skydive environment, download this PDF.
POCKET / BELLYCAM
The A3 pocket/bellycam access point is big enough for your big ass phone, and the zipper is covered (so your sexy zippers all f*cking match).
GET STIFFIE
The bottom surface of the leading edge is Mylar-reinforced to maintain profile structure and proper feeding of the inlets.
GET STRETCHY
When flying in BASE mode, these flexible panels at the shoulders relieve stress on your suit during openings.
HIKING POLE ATTACH POINTS
This is a simple and lightweight system to retain equipment such as collapsible hiking poles.
CARBON FIBER GRIPPERS
Ultralight and ultrastiff, these gripper sticks feel and perform better than any material we have tried. We're offering this expensive upgrade as a standard option on all of our suits.
AIRTIGHT CONSTRUCTION
All of our suits are built to the most exacting specifications, and tested for airtight symmetry in our production facility at multiple points along the construction process. The end result is the highest build quality that we have ever seen.
CUSTOM INTERNAL PRESSURE
All of our suits allow you to choose the amount of internal pressure in the arm wings. You can any choose any setting between full pressure for maximum performance and speed range, or minimum pressure for easier maneuvering in acro / freestyle flight.
AIRFOIL CROSS SECTION
Designed for Performance or Freestyle flying, the removable airfoil cross section adds glide and speed performance and increases agility and range in any suit that it is added to. More information on leading edge foam.
MORE POCKETS
More pockets! More snack-holes! Every Squirrel wingsuit gets an inside-arm pocket for sunglasses, a phone, your FlySight, or anything you want to hide from the rest of the world.
Main Surfaces
Our main concern was finding an ideal ratio between weight and durability, along with high mechanical stability and good results in stretch and tear tests. Our main surface fabric is a 210D Ripstop, with very low stretch, and a good rigidity to comfort ratio.
Leading Edge Skin
Our proprietary laminar-grain leading edge skin is wrinkle-resistant, has low crease memory, and has a proven aerodynamic track record. First used by the winning Squirrel team pilots in the RedBull Aces series, this material has now trickled down to our entire range.
Internal Ribs
All ribs are constructed from the renowned Porcher Skytex 40, which has an unparalleled stability-to-weight ratio.
Leading Edge Mylar
We offer two choices for wing surface Mylar reinforcement:
1. Porcher Sport (white / translucent). This is our standard option.
2. Dimension Polyant Carbon-Graphite (black / clear). The highest quality laminate on the market, with a carbon and graphite weave. It's black, and it's more rigid, but there is not a measureable performance difference over the Porcher mylar.
Florian Springer has been flying wingsuits since 2002. He has over 1000 WS BASE jumps. The A3 is his first Squirrel suit. This is what he had to say about it:
"-Very versatile suit, perfect for base/terrain environment
-As easy to fly in a steep dive or on a fast glide.
-Precise/stable handling
-Super easy start! I feel more comfortable than on my [other brand suit].
This Aura3 gives great flying sensations and I've never been so keen to jump and jump again! I'm back from 2 weeks in Brento and I did not expect to be so much fun! For example I followed Sven Ugau hitting his target as training… I can finally dive so much better. I dive as steep as I want and take real speed. The Aura3 is a piece of flying art! From my grand-papa point of view, it is the best combination of gliding/speeding machine :-)"
"Got a couple more jumps today with flysight and it shows same start arc more or less as A2... 150/150m and 155/155m... sweet. :-)
Got a few jumps now, skydive and base. The suit is sick! I love the feeling, very smooth and precise. The pressure is amazing, there is no slack feeling in the suit, body held tight and it feels like a natural extension of me. Diving and grabbing speed is ridiculous, keep everything the same and just change the angle. Love it. Flare is awesome yeeeeow!!! Even from quite slow.
Overall... so far... super stoked! Thanks for all the work you guys have put in. All the little details are great... and appreciated... inlets, nutsack, booties, etc. Cheers :-)"
"Amazing suit. For a while now I dreamed about a wingsuit that felt like two different suits combined – the speed and dive of a race suit, but the easiness and short start of the Aura. Now you did it! I feel like I am flying a large comfy C-Race, and it feels so comfortable on steep terrain lines. I love it!"
"I want to let you know that i did my first base jumps with the A3. I did just 3 jumps from a mountain and I can already say that this is the best suit i ever flew. For the Brazilian terrain there is no other suit to buy. Thank you very much!!! I feel so lucky to have it and to be part of the squirrel family!"
"I have completed my intensive Aura 3 Skydive Training and have already done my first BASE Jumps with it. It is an incredible Wingsuit with so good performance and safety! I really love it. First BASE Exit with it super short start, the transition from falling to flying is so fast it gives so much safety. Then a really good precision in the air during turns and everything ... and what I really like that it is the good response with changes on the AoA. You feel it much better if you change the AoA.
The pull could not be better, for sure it is a little bit harder than on the Colugo caused by the pressure and arm material but still very good and safe!
The options pocket, nutsack and hiking pole attachments are very cool. The pocket and the nutsack I already had on the C1 but I did not like the nutsack so much because of the Velcro. Now the solution with a zipper is perfect for me and could be used to transport my Platypus drinking bootle, nuts or beef jerky to eat ;-)
Keep on going like this! You have the right way between SAFETY and performance (safety is for me a little bit more important than performance)! And my experience with you guys and your products are very good. I am so happy with all my equipment (Aura 3, Stream, kN, Outlaw Lite, Snatch). And as I already told you I will also switch my Skydive canopy to Squirrel at the end of the year when I will buy a new rig. If the Epicene is like all your other stuff ... it will be no mistake to jump that, too."
