I don't like to rate myself; others can do that. I've spoken with a number of young people who weren't even born in 1969, when the first moon landing was made. They've witnessed the first person to fly at faster than speed of the sound without propulsion. These kids are happy to have had such a momentous event in their lifetime.
Felix BaumgartnerNormally, when I skydive, even in winter, I wear very thin gloves. I want to be flexible, with fast reactions.
Felix BaumgartnerI once wanted to be a stuntman. I was constantly on the front pages when I was a base jumper. But if I were a stuntman, my name would only appear right at the end of the closing credits, even though I'd risked my life for others.
Felix BaumgartnerPeople are fascinated about the world above them because it seems so out-of-reach. My jump gave them an opportunity to come along for the ride. They could watch live on their screens how someone rises all the way up into the stratosphere.
Felix BaumgartnerI always feel the danger because you might always be subject to an unexpected or emergency event.
Felix BaumgartnerI want to inspire the next generation. I want to be in mission control with someone younger than me wanting to break my record.
Felix BaumgartnerAt a certain R.P.M., there's only one way for blood to leave your body, and that's through your eyeballs. That means you're dead.
Felix BaumgartnerI know the whole world is watching now. And I wish the world could see what I can see. Sometimes you have to get up really high to understand how small you really are. I'm going home now.
Felix BaumgartnerI'm not an adrenaline junkie. It's never been about thrills for me. I'm just someone who loves a challenge.
Felix BaumgartnerOf course my life has changed because now everybody knows who Felix Baumgartner is.
Felix BaumgartnerAs a little kid, I climbed a lot of trees because I always loved the bird's-eye view.
Felix BaumgartnerTo jump and break the sound barrier will not be a mere record breaking experience or another extreme event that ends once the mission is accomplished.
Felix BaumgartnerI can't bear the thought of my mother having to push me around in a wheelchair. I'd rather die quickly.
Felix BaumgartnerI feel at home up in the air, just like sailors do at sea and climbers do in the mountains.
Felix BaumgartnerWell, to me, my past accomplishments weren't crazy. They required a lot of skill and careful planning.
Felix BaumgartnerIf you want to do something extraordinary, there's always risk involved. I was always willing to take that risk.
Felix BaumgartnerWell, I jumped for the first time when I was 16. I just loved it and immediately realized that it was what I wanted to do.
Felix BaumgartnerThat spin became so violent, it was hard to know how to get out of it. I was able to get it under control and break the speed of sound...I could feel myself break the speed of sound. I could feel the air building up and then I hit it.
Felix BaumgartnerIf the Wright brothers hadn't put their lives on the line, we would not be flying around the world these days. So we need pioneers.
Felix BaumgartnerAviation - and space travel, in particular - have always been especially captivating.
Felix BaumgartnerEngage your life with enthusiasm; grasp your life aggressively and squeeze from it every drop of excitement, satisfaction, and joy.
Felix BaumgartnerWhen I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about breaking records anymore, you do not think about gaining scientific data. The only thing you want is to come back alive
Felix BaumgartnerI love a challenge, and trying to become the first person to break the speed of sound in freefall is a challenge like no other.
Felix Baumgartner