Liam Byrne, a 23-year-old from Stonehaven, has been living his dream of flying like a bird for the past decade. He is the British champion in performance wingsuit flying, earning him the nickname “bird man” among his family and friends. Liam learned how to skydive at the age of 16 and became Britain’s youngest wingsuit pilot on his 17th birthday. The wingsuit has become a “second skin” for him, allowing him to soar through the skies.
The young adventurer is now the focus of an upcoming BBC documentary titled “The Boy Who Can Fly.” The documentary follows Liam as he prepares for his most challenging wingsuit jump off the 7,000ft Männlichen in Switzerland. With nearly 4,000 jumps under his belt, Liam feels ready to take on this technically difficult feat, reaching speeds of over 200mph. Despite the nerves, he is determined to fulfill his lifelong dream of flying like a bird.
Filming for the documentary also took place in Liam’s hometown of Stonehaven, showcasing the stunning landscapes that inspired his love for the outdoors. Liam credits his childhood adventures in nature for sparking his sense of adventure and leading him to more extreme challenges around the world. Over the years, he has been pushing himself to achieve “elite” levels in wingsuit flying, including proximity flying where he flies as fast and close to the ground or objects as possible.
As Liam stands on the edge of the cliff in the Swiss Alps, he reflects on his journey and connects with his 13-year-old self who dreamt of flying. He takes pride in the fact that he has accomplished what he set out to do and is grateful for the opportunity to live out his passion. “The Boy Who Can Fly” is set to premiere on BBC One on Friday, November 8th at 7:30 pm.
Liam’s story is not just about wingsuit flying but also about determination, passion, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. It serves as an inspiration to others to follow their passions and never give up on their aspirations. Through hard work, dedication, and a fearless spirit, Liam has been able to turn his childhood dream into a reality, soaring through the skies like a bird.