AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2022 - 43

partner, although inside, my own worry
wheels were turning.
The jump instructors triple-checked
our harnesses and reviewed instructions,
while we slowly climbed above 10,000
feet. Once at altitude the side door was
opened with a loud blast of cold air. My
nervous jump partner was going to be first
out the door, so I shook his hand, and with
feigned confidence, yelled, " See you on
the flip side! "
Then, it was my turn to slide along
the floor with my instructor behind and
swing my feet outside the door onto the
strut pedal. I heard shouting from behind
" Feet together! Hook your thumbs into
the shoulder straps! " No chance to change
my mind now.
With a robust push from behind, I
was met with the startling blast of frigid
air that is a combination of airspeed and
prop wash. Disorientation followed as we
tumbled upside down, catching a brief
glimpse of the Cessna jump plane shooting
skyward (an optical illusion from my rapid
descent upside down). When I was turned
around and speeding face down, I felt
like an arched banana. I heard, " Spread
your arms! "
I was surprised by the tremendous
rush of oncoming air, even after the
drogue parachute was deployed. Air was
even inflating my pants and jacket, and
every nook and cranny in my body. The
ground seemed to be taking its sweet time
getting closer. I was glad that I was smart
enough to purchase some aviator goggles
and leather helmet, even though I probably
looked ridiculous, but breathing was
surprisingly easy. Then came the sudden
snap backward as the ram-air chute
deployed, jerking on every strap attach
point of my harness.
After free falling through what felt
like a hurricane for 20 seconds, the parachute
part was a pleasant respite. I was
able to steer the balance of the jump by
pulling two control cords hanging in front
of my shoulders, wishing this part would
last much longer. In no time my instructor
did a stalled landing as gentle as stepping
off a curb.
I had lost sight of my jump partner
while airborne, but found him on
the ground several yards away. He was
sitting on a plastic patio chair in the
grass, surrounded by ground personnel.
Not everybody reacts the same way.
Thankfully, he was up and around by
the time we gathered up the chute and
returned to the hangar.
You should be aware that the
skydiving company likes to sell you video
of your jump, assuming it's a once-in-alifetime
event. I passed on the offer. I
lived through what some war veterans
experienced; mission accomplished.
Mark Frascinella is a private pilot living
in Mount Sinai, New York.
RECORD SET /
JOES away!
Largest formation of jumpers over the age of 80
EIGHT SKYDIVERS SET the world record for
the largest formation with jumpers over
the age of 80 years old in DeLand, Florida,
in October. The team of eight skydiving
pioneers set the record on their fourth
attempt October 7. The previous JOES
(Jumpers Over Eighty) record was a formation
of six jumpers.
The eight jumpers are Cliff Davis, Walt
Green, Scotty Gallan, Woody McKay, Sky
Huminsky, Paul Hinen, Ted Williams, and
Jim Culhane. The jump set a new Guinness
world record as well as a record for JOES.
" Achieving our goal to break and set
the new world record for the largest formation
of jumpers over the age of eighty is
a testament to the teamwork, experience,
and skill of the team members and support
staff, " said Davis.
AOPA PILOT / December 2022
43
DEAN NORDSTEDT
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2022

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