I Found A New Thing I’m Scared of

Have you ever jumped out of a “perfectly good airplane” just for fun? I tried it recently and I’m pretty certain my brain short-circulated for about a minute, the length of the free fall. Turns out that I don’t like free falling. Who knew?!

I really thought I would love it. In fact, I paid extra to double the amount of free fall I got to experience! I love the thrill of going fast. I think roller coasters are amazing as are motorcycles and jet skis and other speedy things but there was something next level about hurtling towards the ground at 120 miles an hour that legit broke my brain. I kid you not, I. Forgot. How. To. Breathe.

It all started well enough. I was so excited when I got to the airfield. I watched the prior class take off and land. I joked with my classmates and we all commented on how great our flight suits made us look. I met my partner for the jump, Vlad, who asked me if I knew anyone else there today and, when I told him no, he told me he was my best friend for the day. Sorry old BFF but you were booted for a few hours. Please don’t hold it against me!

We loaded onto the plane still in high spirits and we began our ascent to 13,500 feet. I’ve never been on a plane like this before. The only seats are for the pilot. All the jumpers sit between each other’s legs on the floor of the plane. Trust me when I tell you that you’re going to have to check your personal space bubble at the door!

When we got to the right altitude we scooted (okay fine, Vlad scooted and I was pushed) to the door. When it was our turn, we kind of scooted with a roll right on out the door. I’m so sorry Vlad but it happened so fast that I didn’t do the tuck the feet thing! I swear I paid attention to the video but it all happened so fast!

I know we rolled out of the plane with a backwards twist because this was the start of my brain freezing. I was shocked. I thought it was a face-first kinda thing not a look back at the plane you just fell out of kinda thing. I had no idea until I saw the pictures that the plane had their logo on the bottom!

I know we flipped belly down pretty quickly after that but I’ve no idea how Vlad did it. I was certainly no help! We may or may not have done a midair somersault?

I did remember Rule #2: Arch! Oh man did I arch! I wanted to slow down like it was nobody’s business. That was about all I did right during the free fall. I don’t remember following Rule #1 Smile and have fun but the pcitures show me smiling so partial credit? I did not look at the horizon like I was supposed to. I did not respond to any of the signals Vlad gave. It felt like I spent the entire free fall staring directly at the ground trying to remember how to breathe. I also vaguely remember the air being so cold/fast that I thought I couldn’t breathe because of it? I dunno. I was rather freaked out at this point…

I’ve watched the video and I know Vlad did a countdown prior to pulling the chute. I wish I’d been myself when that was happening because I’d like to know more about the process. One of my classmates, Chris – pictured below, is working towards getting certified and actually got to pull his chute. His partner outfitted him with his own altimeter and directions on when & how to pull it. Kinda jealous but also very glad I wasn’t in charge!

Oh man! Being under a parachute is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I mean obviously so was the free fall but that was more of a terrifying, mentally leave your body for a while kind of experience. The gently floating in the sky bit was fantastic!!! Pull to the right and turn right. Pull to the left and turn left. Make a circle. Now go the other direction. So much fun!!!

Although my absolute favorite part of the experience was when you pull down on both cords you just kind of “hang” in the air. It feels like the world has stopped. I would absoltutely pay extra for more time floating in the sky! Not that this is a thing but still.

The ride was over far too quickly and we approached the airfield from which we had taken off maybe 15 minutes previously. I remembered Rule #3: feet up for landing and had them up and ready for our butt slide to the ground. No joke! The plan is to land on your but and slide to a stop but Vlad is super cool and we stuck a walking landing. I’d pretend I had something to do with it but I really was just along for the ride and happened to be listening to instructions again at this point.

All in all, it was absolutely thrilling! 10 out of 10 experience. My only regrets are things I can work on improving. 1) panicking and not really enjoying free fall and 2) I was either panicking or talking so I never looked around to enjoy the views and it was such a gorgeous day which obviously means I have to do it again! Especially since I look damn good in a flight suit.

Thanks Vlad! You were the best temporary BFF I could have had!

PS Happy Belated Birthday!!! He told me on the plane I was born 2 days after he turned 21 and it didn’t dawn on me what this meant until I was halfway home from the airfield…

PPS here’s the video!