Skydiving – The Ultimate Thrill Ride
In Play! Magazine
by Tim Fairhurst
Speeding down the runway in the Cessna 208 Caravan I looked out the window as the ground dropped away and we took to the air. The patchwork quilt of fields, roads, lakes and houses grew larger as we climbed into the sky and for a moment I imagined that I was on a scenic airplane tour over southern Michigan.
However, one look around the cabin quickly brought me back to reality. Ten skydivers in full gear sat packed tightly in two rows like so many sardines in a can. As we climbed higher and higher into the sky I realized that this was the first airplane that I would be taking off in but not landing in. It would be a one way ride with an adrenaline fuelled blast back to earth.
There was a playful casual banter amongst the other passengers but I was going over everything I had been taught the previous day and trying to keep feelings of impending stress at bay. As the airport became smaller and smaller the knot in my stomach grew larger and I wondered what it would be like.
I watched the needle on my altimeter slowly sweep past 10,000 feet. The aircraft levelled out and the engine was throttled back. The side door of the airplane was suddenly rolled open and someone made the announcement that it was time to go.
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In Play! Magazine
by Tim Fairhurst
Speeding down the runway in the Cessna 208 Caravan I looked out the window as the ground dropped away and we took to the air. The patchwork quilt of fields, roads, lakes and houses grew larger as we climbed into the sky and for a moment I imagined that I was on a scenic airplane tour over southern Michigan.
However, one look around the cabin quickly brought me back to reality. Ten skydivers in full gear sat packed tightly in two rows like so many sardines in a can. As we climbed higher and higher into the sky I realized that this was the first airplane that I would be taking off in but not landing in. It would be a one way ride with an adrenaline fuelled blast back to earth.
There was a playful casual banter amongst the other passengers but I was going over everything I had been taught the previous day and trying to keep feelings of impending stress at bay. As the airport became smaller and smaller the knot in my stomach grew larger and I wondered what it would be like.
I watched the needle on my altimeter slowly sweep past 10,000 feet. The aircraft levelled out and the engine was throttled back. The side door of the airplane was suddenly rolled open and someone made the announcement that it was time to go.
Read more
