3 caveats. OK 4, well maybe 5.. 1.Never done this before 2.Didn't sign up for it (daughter signed me up). 3. I'm 68 4. What do I compare this to? 5.I'm more of a floating gliding sailing rather than a plunging kind of a guy (which means I don't drink the skydiving rah rah rah...kool-Aid), yet... Great group of guys when I finally found them (not in the small airport office). Thought I would get some sort of zip up air suit. No. Wanted something on my head, no. More to protect the few hairs I have left on than to save me if I auger in. OK real men don't need that sh*t. Shoestring operation as others have mentioned. I thought the plane engine carbs would benefit from some gumout, and the duct tape inside didnt inspire confidence, hey, but I'm an easy going kind of a guy in a neurotic sort of way. Some of the instructors said not to worry, because you already have your chute on. That relaxed me until I realized that he had the chute on and we weren't tethered yet. None of that really worried me, though I thought it was amusing. I thought about what it would be like when they opened the door and we have to slide straddle to it and jump. Was I up to this? I could still say no. This ain't the military, they have newer planes...It turns out that I couldn't wait to get out of the F%$$#@ing plane because the 2 of us squatting on my old knees was excruciatingly painful. I had to do some controlled breathing to put up with the pain. I couldn't wait to get out that door. I was surprised at how easy it was to flip head over heels on the way out. The rest was glorious if not a bit cold. It was in the low 50's and gusty at ground level. All in all, exhilirating. Would I go there again. Only if George jumps with me and supplies knee pads. Cheers!
