Parachutist over weekend
I don’t know how exactly this idea came to my mind, but I always loved flying (probably has something to do with growing up with it, my parents are paramotor manufacturers) and this seemed like the fastest way to get in the air.
I decided quite quickly to go straight into the course instead of just jumping in tandem. I wrote an e-mail and got the response next day that the earliest course (which was in just three days I think) is already full and that another one is in 3 weeks. I replied with confirmation of the reservation and just asked what’s the things I need with me. The only requirement seemed to be a medical check and money to pay for the course.
As the D day was approaching, I managed to pass the medical test without problems and was ready to jump. There were just so many unknowns and questions going through my head at the time, “How do you jump out of the plane?”, “Isn’t two days too short?”, “Am I going to fail the theory test?”.
Friday morning, I haven’t slept very well. I have woken up 3 or 4 times during the night, not because of fear or stress, but I couldn’t wait for it to begin. The thing I hate the most is not to know something, and with this one, there were so many unknowns.
I went to work quite early (as usual) because I needed to leave sooner this time. The training was starting 3:30 pm and the plan was to reach the airport (where it was taking place) on my bike, which was around 10km from our office.
When I arrived, it was still more than 15 minutes to the beginning, so I was just sitting there, waiting for others to come. I was informed that there is going to be 16 people, “So many?” went through my head.
After all the participants arrived, we filled some necessary forms and began the training. Friday was just the theoretical part, practical was just before the jumps on Saturday. We were leaving the airport few minutes past 8 pm, having eaten close to nothing since my breakfast (as I canceled my lunch at work and took nothing with me to the airport) I stopped at local KFC, ordering enormous amount of chicken :)
Day D: The order from yesterday was to be at the airport at 7 am. When I left my flat, I realized it was raining (quite a lot). Perfect! I arrived at the airport 10 minutes to seven, my shoes, shorts, and jacket all wet. As you may have guessed, it stopped raining the moment I arrived. Thankfully I had my fathers paragliding overall and shoes, so it was no big deal.
We did a quick recapitulation of the theory from yesterday and then went outside to see the plane and try jumping from it when still on the ground. It was an old An-2 plane, “a reliable dog” and jumping from it was no problem.
Next, we needed to learn PLF (parachutist landing fall). It’s the thing that is probably going to save you from broken legs or more severe injury. I was horrible at it and somehow couldn’t do it correctly. Then, the call came, I had to suit up and board the plane (note: 10 am).
In a few minutes, we are in the air (just 7 of us) and quickly climbing to our target height of 1.2 km. The first 4 of us came out. 1 minute for the plane to turn around. “Stand up” shouted our instructor. The first jumped, then second, I am standing in front of the door to nowhere. 3 seconds, my mind is blank, one step, I am outside.
I wake up and remember my training, check the parachute above my head, then the height. Everything is ok. I look below, and I see a Google Map :D, no word can describe the feeling. I immediately fell in love with it.
As the earth was getting close, I prepared for the landing maneuver and then managed to land perfectly and almost on the target.
We had to wait 2 hours before jumps, and I still had two more jumps before me. The second one was better than the first as I was trying more stuff, playing with the parachute more and enjoying the whole flight. The third was the best though as my head I was finally experiencing the jump off the plane. 3–4 seconds of free fall, parachute over my head, amazing. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to make those two landings as perfect as the first one, ending up on my ass instead of legs :D
And what next? Going to jump again, just don’t know if in 14 days or a month.
