Flying Through The Air With The Greatest of Ease...Sans A Trapeze
After a tennis ball in Brent's eye sabotaged his birthday, we were
finally able to give him his gift - Sky Diving lessons!
It took six hours of intense lecture and training, but by the end of the
day, we actually jumped (voluntarily no doubt,) out of an airplane at
13,500 ft.
We plunged toward the earth at 120 miles per hour until we hit 5,000
feet where we deployed our parachutes and floated around before
making (less-than-perfect) landings at the exact spot where we
were instructed to hit!
There was so much to remember to do - and six hours of training
were whirring through our heads as we plummeted toward the
earth, but we are pretty darn proud we did it and were able to check
"Sky Diving" off that famous list of ours!
After this, who knows what's next?
After a tennis ball in Brent's eye sabotaged his birthday, we were
finally able to give him his gift - Sky Diving lessons!
It took six hours of intense lecture and training, but by the end of the
day, we actually jumped (voluntarily no doubt,) out of an airplane at
13,500 ft.
We plunged toward the earth at 120 miles per hour until we hit 5,000
feet where we deployed our parachutes and floated around before
making (less-than-perfect) landings at the exact spot where we
were instructed to hit!
There was so much to remember to do - and six hours of training
were whirring through our heads as we plummeted toward the
earth, but we are pretty darn proud we did it and were able to check
"Sky Diving" off that famous list of ours!
After this, who knows what's next?
Are We Really Going To Do This?
All Suited Up And Ready To Go
Brent models the very latest in skydiving gear.
Brent models the very latest in skydiving gear.
Gotta Know How To Get Out...
Brent practices his exit procedure with the
help of an opening exactly the size of the door
to the plane and one of our guides, Mandy.
Brent practices his exit procedure with the
help of an opening exactly the size of the door
to the plane and one of our guides, Mandy.
Before You Pull...
You have to arch. Brent demonstrates the
correct position to keep oneself stable during
Free-Fall in midair.
You have to arch. Brent demonstrates the
correct position to keep oneself stable during
Free-Fall in midair.
Sure You're Smiling Now...
But wait until you get up to 13,500 feet and let's see that
face! Brent stands with Dave, the instructor who taught our
6 hour class, and Mandy, the other instructor who
accompanied us on our first jump.
But wait until you get up to 13,500 feet and let's see that
face! Brent stands with Dave, the instructor who taught our
6 hour class, and Mandy, the other instructor who
accompanied us on our first jump.
Ready To Make The Jump
This Cessna has a large door that opens up like a
role-top desk so the skydivers can leap out.
This Cessna has a large door that opens up like a
role-top desk so the skydivers can leap out.
Wahoo!
Brent jumps! Brent went first, so Kate could take pictures of him
coming in and then Kate followed. Of course after he did, she couldn't
very well chicken out!
Brent jumps! Brent went first, so Kate could take pictures of him
coming in and then Kate followed. Of course after he did, she couldn't
very well chicken out!
The "Holding Area"
This is the view of the airport from above. Skydivers are
instructed to stay in a holding pattern, down wind of the field
area before coming in to land.
This is the view of the airport from above. Skydivers are
instructed to stay in a holding pattern, down wind of the field
area before coming in to land.
The King Of The Understatement
Brent nonchalantly drops at 120 miles per hour..ho hum, another day, another adventure.
Brent nonchalantly drops at 120 miles per hour..ho hum, another day, another adventure.
PULL!
Brent does THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN
SKYDIVING - to deploy his parachute correctly.
Brent does THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN
SKYDIVING - to deploy his parachute correctly.
Gliding Along On A Beautiful Day
Brent expertly navigates his shoot to the landing spot.
Brent expertly navigates his shoot to the landing spot.
The Lucky Dog!
Because of his beginner-status, Brent was the last to leave
the plane and therefore the last to touch the ground, so he
got the premier "limo service" back to training
facility...something Kate wasn't as fortunate to receive...see
below...
Because of his beginner-status, Brent was the last to leave
the plane and therefore the last to touch the ground, so he
got the premier "limo service" back to training
facility...something Kate wasn't as fortunate to receive...see
below...
Coming In For Landing
Brent's about to touch down...& make Kate
very happy...
Brent's about to touch down...& make Kate
very happy...
It's A Whole New World
Now we know what Aladdin meant! Wow, the world from that far
up, without the comfort of a flight attendant serving drinks, really is
something to be experienced. Even if you don't do a "solo" jump,
go tandem, where you are physically attached to an instructor,
you'll be glad you did and never forget the experience.
Now we know what Aladdin meant! Wow, the world from that far
up, without the comfort of a flight attendant serving drinks, really is
something to be experienced. Even if you don't do a "solo" jump,
go tandem, where you are physically attached to an instructor,
you'll be glad you did and never forget the experience.
Kate Jumps!
Though she wasn't convinced she could, when it came right down to
it, she couldn't wait!
Though she wasn't convinced she could, when it came right down to
it, she couldn't wait!
Say Cheese!
Flying high, Kate mugs for the camera - you know what they say, "You can take the girl
out of Hollywood, but you can't take Hollywood out of the girl." However, at such a
speed, air gets in one's cheeks, so she ended up looking more like the famous jazz
trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie, than any Tinsel Town starlette.
Flying high, Kate mugs for the camera - you know what they say, "You can take the girl
out of Hollywood, but you can't take Hollywood out of the girl." However, at such a
speed, air gets in one's cheeks, so she ended up looking more like the famous jazz
trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie, than any Tinsel Town starlette.
No "Limo" Here
Kate trudges in to the airport, after landing (as instructed) at
the far end of the field. You'd be surprised just how heavy
(not to mention ridiculously awkward) a parachute can be.
But WOW, was it worth it!
Kate trudges in to the airport, after landing (as instructed) at
the far end of the field. You'd be surprised just how heavy
(not to mention ridiculously awkward) a parachute can be.
But WOW, was it worth it!
A Big Thumbs Up For The Day
Kate began the day with fair amount of trepidation, but
ended it with even more exhilaration - what a blast!
Everyone at Skydive Dallas was wonderful - both staff and
the other divers. They weren't just knowledgeable and
helpful, but there are a lot of fun.
Thanks to everyone for an amazing experience.
Kate began the day with fair amount of trepidation, but
ended it with even more exhilaration - what a blast!
Everyone at Skydive Dallas was wonderful - both staff and
the other divers. They weren't just knowledgeable and
helpful, but there are a lot of fun.
Thanks to everyone for an amazing experience.
Daily Life
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| October 16, 2005 |
Sky Diving
