posted May 16th, 2015 - The Sun Path Products NSL News reported the planning of NMP-PCH Hayabusa's and Thunder's 8-way project the first time on December 12th, 2014, and a few stories followed up with confirmations of the plans.

The project now has a name, and the first 8-way jumps have been completed. The Thund8rbirds completed their first 2-day training camp in Moorsele, Belgium, after 18 jumps.

The videos confirm the high expectations of the new 8-way team, which will most likely move Belgium also up into a medal contender position in the next Formation Skydiving event. The Thund8rbirds were happy with the results of their first 8-way training camp and realized at the same time how much there is to learn:

"We've been looking forward to the first training for long. Both Hayabusa Defence and Thunder ISR are obviously really excited about their own 4way ambitions. But for some time both teams have been considering joining up to do some 8way training together. Putting two 4-way teams together at this level must result in some great skydiving.

We planned only three weekends of training in 2015, tunnel has not yet been planned, but hopefully we will be able to make that happen, as well. The team has two priorities, first to have some fun with good friends, second to jump at the highest possible level in 8-way.

Yesterday we started in Moorsele with coach Damien Sorlin. Some of us have quite a lot of 8-way experience, some have none. Getting familiar with the dive pool is a challenge in the first place, and it is difficult, of course, to not mix up the 4-way and 8-way dive pools.

The jumps are going quite well. Immediately from the first jump we nailed the exit, and already now - right out of the door - we're going to the first point. After two days, 18 jumps, we've completed all blocks and randoms from the dive pool.

We're discovering obviously that 8way is a little bit different than 4way , so many engineering options, referencing being more important, starting and stopping of blocks requiring more accuracy, checking a lot of grips before keying, a whole set of new things to learn. And we're doing great already, we think."

The Thund8rbirds have another day of 8-way training to come at Schaffen if the weather cooperates.