If 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.

I always feel the danger because you might always be subject to an unexpected or emergency event.

I want to inspire the next generation. I want to be in mission control with someone younger than me wanting to break my record.

I have a lot of fears that normal people have.

People 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.

If something goes wrong, the only thing that might help you is God.

I 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.