In my opinion, there’s nothing more exciting than being crammed in a tiny Cessna 11,000 feet in the air with four full-grown men knocking into you as they jump out and freefall into the atmosphere. Did I mention that the only thing keeping me from falling, sliding, or being knocked out the open door at my immediate left is a loose seatbelt? Fortunately for me, if I did end up on the outside of the plane, I at least had a parachute strapped on my back.
But let me lay out my first day at Cairo Regional Airport for you guys from the beginning. It started off waking up at 8 a.m., groggily making my way to the car and driving an hour through the beautiful scenery that southern Illinois has to offer. Getting off at the last exit in Illinois, I made a wrong turn and drove for an extra 20 minutes before I realized that I should probably turn around. I eventually make it to the hangar and start clicking away with my camera. Most of what I witnessed was people hanging out and packing parachutes. Not as exciting as I was hoping, but the jump instructors or, “the old men” as they were called, were entertaining enough. Noon rolls around and the engines start roaring. It’s go time.
Maybe three flights made their run before I was finally able to go up with jumpers. I tried to hold in my excitement and forget that I really had to go to the bathroom as an instructor was strapping a parachute rig on me. After a quick briefing of what to grab and pull, how to arch, and what to do if I hear the pilot yell “JUMP,” I found myself packed in the plane like a can of sardines.
It was a fantastic first experience with the skydiving club, and maybe one day I will have enough money to take that first jump. Speaking of, I will accept any donations to the “Edyta wants to skydive, please give her money” fund.
