Flying Squirrel

The Flying Squirrel is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the eighth and final obstacle in Stage One on American Ninja Warrior 8, replacing the Triple Swing from the previous season. On this obstacle:
 * Competitors must make an 11-foot jump from a mini tramp to a set of handles that swing independently of each other, kind of similar to The Clacker.
 * Then, they must build enough swing and momentum to make a transition to the next set of handles, which are also 11 feet away from the first set of handles.
 * After that, they must build enough swing and momentum to make a 10-foot transition to the Rope Ladder, and climb it to reach the buzzer before the time ran out, in order to clear the stage.

This obstacle was proven to be much more difficult than its predecessor (the Triple Swing), as competitors like Ryan Stratis, Dan Polizzi, Jon Alexis Jr., Nick Hanson, Jessell Boseman, Eric Middleton, and Nick Kostreski failed on this obstacle. Some instances, such as with Polizzi, Hanson, Middleton and Kostreski, had timed out rather than legitimately falling on the obstacle. On its first season appearance, only 17 competitors could complete the obstacle within the time limit and ultimately advance to Stage Two.

During USA vs. The World 3, the obstacle took out Danee Marmolejo from Team Latin America.

American Ninja Warrior 9
The Flying Squirrel returned on American Ninja Warrior 9, once again as the eighth and final obstacle in Stage One, with a similar specification from the previous season.

However, unlike on the previous season, 51 competitors could reach the obstacle, and only 10 competitors failed, including Chris DiGangi, Robin Pietschmann, Brandon Pannell, Jesse Labreck, Barclay Stockett (who had timed out at the obstacle before attempting it), Alex Carson, Ben Baker, and most shockingly, Jessie Graff (who completed this obstacle on the previous season, setting a history as the first woman to complete Stage One on American Ninja Warrior).

On American Ninja Warrior 10, the obstacle was replaced by the Twist & Fly.

Ninja Warrior UK
The Flying Squirrel appeared on Ninja Warrior UK 4, as the fourth obstacle in Heat 2, and was called as the Cargo with Squirrel. However, compared to the one used on American Ninja Warrior, the obstacle featured:
 * No trampoline,
 * Only one set of handles was used, and
 * The cargo net was similar to the one used on the Jump Hang. Therefore, after reaching the cargo net, competitors must climb it down to reach the landing platform.

Then, the obstacle appeared as the second obstacle in Heat 1 on Ninja Warrior UK 5. This time, the second set of handles was replaced with a trapeze bar.

Australian Ninja Warrior
On Australian Ninja Warrior 2, the Flying Squirrel (called as the Flying Squirrel to Cargo Net) appeared as the eighth obstacle in Stage One, which was similar to the one used on Ninja Warrior UK 4. However, just like on American Ninja Warrior, competitors must jump from the trampoline to reach the handles, and after reaching the cargo net, competitors must climb it up to reach a platform, then walked across the platform, and finally dropped down to the landing platform through a pole.

Then, on Australian Ninja Warrior 3, the Flying Squirrel (called as the Double Squirrel) appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 5. This time, the obstacle was made similar to the one used on American Ninja Warrior (albeit the cargo net was not presented).

Later, on Australian Ninja Warrior 4, the Double Squirrel appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 1, with the trampoline being replaced with two bars.

Ninja Warrior Poland
In Ninja Warrior Poland, the Flying Squirrel appeared for the first time in Heat 3 and then in Heat 5 as the fourth obstacle. There was a springboard in front of the obstacle, and the obstacle itself consisted of only one trapezoid with only 2 handles and a rope ladder. In Ninja Warrior Poland 2, the obstacle appeared as the fourth obstacle in all heats and in the final stage 1. This season it was Double Flying Squirrel because this time the obstacle consisted of 2 trapezoids and a rope ladder. The distance between the trapezoids was 3 meters, and on each of them there was one long handle (only 2 short ones in the final).

Competitors' Success Rate

 * All results based on the NBC broadcast and external information found

Trivia

 * With only 17 competitors could complete the obstacle within the time limit and advance to Stage Two, American Ninja Warrior 8 is currently holding the record for the lowest amount of finishers during Stage One in American Ninja Warrior history, beating American Ninja Warrior 6's Stage One at 18 finishers.
 * However, one season later, with 41 competitors completed the obstacle within the time limit and advance to Stage Two, American Ninja Warrior 9 is currently holding the record for the highest amount of finishers during Stage One in American Ninja Warrior history, beating American Ninja Warrior 7's Stage One at 38 finishers.