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"Will me your piano," that’s what my friend Lynn said when I told her I was going to skydive. Thanks for the confidence.

None too soon, I found myself cruising in a dingy plane at a height of 10,000 ft. The interior of the plane was getting a little stuffy what with me strapped in a rib-crushing manner to my life-saviour err, tandem master, Stuart.

"Ready?" he asked.

I mustered as much optimism as I could in my voice and managed a "yup". No time to chicken out now as we edged our way on our bums to the exit of the plane. We did what we rehearsed briefly while on land: first, one foot firmly on that little step outside the plane; then the other; finally, sit at the edge of the doorway with arms crossed in a diagonal fashion leaning out precariously …

The next few minutes were a haze. I remembered Stuart asking me do a forward roll and there we were, tumbling like a sack of potatoes into open air. "Freefall," I remembered telling myself. Head over heels, round and round we went. One second I saw the underside of the plane and the next, chequered fields like a patchwork quilt.

I felt totally 'weightless' and indeed the feeling was magical. There was just total silence without the sound of wind as expected. Being in this state, there was a great sense of peace (believe you me).

After stabilising ourselves, we did what most people associate skydiving with - stunts. Almost effortlessly, we spun ourselves 90° around. All too soon, Steve decided that we have had enough of freefall (rats!) Without realising it, we had fallen 7,000 ft in a matter of seconds!

We shot up suddenly when our parachute opened. "It was exhilarating!!" I gushed at the first opportunity. Thus, for the next 5 minutes, we floated blissfully down.

I'm sorry Lynn, the piano is still mine.

Conquering Acrophobia!

Where the daredevil plunge was taken

Gatton Drop Zone, Queensland, Australia.

Contact

Ripcord Skydivers

PO Box 266

Cannon Hill, Qld 4170

Tel: (07)399 3552 Fax: (07)3991253

Rates

$180 for a tandem + $30 for a photo and certificate

Safety measures

• each student parachute is fitted with 2 automatic opening devices which ensures the parachute opens no matter what happens.
• experienced instructors (Steve has >3,000 jumps to his credit)
• equipment and training meets and exceeds standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority, the Australian Parachute Federation and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI)

Options

A - Solo

Jump at 3,500 ft where the parachute will automatically open moments after the jump. Step-by-step instructions will be given from a radio operator on the ground who will lead you to a tip-toe landing with pin point accuracy. Once 17 jumps have been completed successfully, you will receive your ‘A’ parachuting license.

 

B - Tandem

(The one which I opted for)

Jump at 10,000 ft harnessed to your instructor. You will experience the breathtaking exhilaration of a 30 sec freefall, followed by a peaceful 4 min parachute ride.

 

C - Accelerated Free Fall

Your AFF jump will be from 10,000 ft with 2 instructors holding onto you. They will fall with you until your parachute opens. After completing 9 AFF jumps, you will receive your ‘A’ parachuting license.

Disclaimer: all prices and details of tours are subject to change by the vendor. The author shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies in information provided herewith.

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