Baldrick, Vicki, Patrick and Nick
I can’t believe it is any kind of natural reaction, but that’s me, still SMILING while standing at the open door of an aircraft 12,000ft in the air! What was I thinking? It’s all a bit of a blur now but, Wow! what a rush.
Saturday 16th May at Hibaldstow Airfield. Vicki and I were made very welcome by Mike and Rachael of Target Skysports. We were called for a spot of training: how to jump out of the plane, how to fly, how to land, that sort of thing. Family and friends gathered and then came the long wait as we waited for the weather to give an opportunity for another plane load to go up.
We were plane load 11 out of 12 but it was worth the wait. We donned a flying suit and harness. Me in a lovely turquoise number with flying hat designed to make you look stupid in the video! I was met by cameraman Wez who asked me a few questions for the film. I was to be strapped to Nick (because he was strapped to the paracute!) ‘Nick’ sounded like a good strong ‘being in charge’ kind of a name and I knew I could trust him. Vicki was to be strapped to Baldrick. Hmm…
The plane was small and felt quite cramped. Perhaps that was because I was strapped tight to Nick. At 12,000 we shuffled ahead of Vicki and Baldrick to the back door of the plane with cameraman Wez. I still can’t believe I was smiling – every bit of logic within me knows that you dont open the door until the plane is on tarmac.
We jumped. We fell. We went rather fast. Camerahead Wez tried to keep up but Nick had a definate weight advantage with me strapped to him!
I remember having no real sense of how high I was as there was an awful lot of cloud. Come to think of it, there wasn’t a huge sense of speed. The only reference point I had got was Wez and he was falling at the same speed right in front of me with his thumbs in the air and a grin on his face. Having said that, my face did feel like it was about to turn inside out.
We waved goodbye to Wez and opened the canapy. What a contrast. After the initial tug as we settled into the harness we slowed and gently floated in the sky. Nick and I were now able to have a conversation. He produced a pair of straps that he invited me to take hold of. We pulled hard on the right and span around. We pulled harder on the left and span the other way. Excellent fun! I think I enjoyed that bit better than the falling. It’s good to be in control!
As we got below 1,000ft Nick took the reins so that my hands were available for waving. I could see the assembled crowd. I had no idea whether they could pick me out under my bright orange canapy but I waved anyway!
Back with my feet on the ground, Wez pointed the camera at me for a reaction. Ten out of ten! I looked round to see Vicki landing safely. Excellent – We did it!
Would we do it again? Oh yes!
Huge thanks to all those who turned out in the questionable weather to watch. Many thanks to Stuart for putting the opportunity my way. Thanks especially to all those of you who sponsored us. Vicki and I are close to raising £1,000. There’s still time for you to add to the total is you haven’t had an opportunity yet: Click here to give money!
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UPDATE: Vicki now has her pics so here’s one of hers. See her blog.
