"Swimming in Clouds"

By: Robert D. Conn II

I arrived at "Skydive Chicago" right on schedule. I had about an hour before my class was scheduled to begin. There were about 8 or 9 other people there in the hanger. There were various things inside the hanger. From harnesses and jump suits to couches and a TV on which a video of Base Jumping was playing. I went to the registration trailer and signed up. I had not gotten nervous or scarred to this point. I was still on terre ferma. I sat down on a picnic bench and watched the video that was playing. Across from me sat a guy alone. My perception was that I was the only "first timer" there. After about 10 minutes or so I asked the guy sitting there if it was his first time. He said it was. I asked him if he was nervous and he said no. I believed him as I wasn't feeling nervous and he seemed calm, and tired really. The conversation ended there. I suspect he was feeling the same thing I was. It was a calm anticipation. It seemed like everyone was just standing around for nothing. My first lesson was that unlike the movies, there aren't a bunch of wild haired guys bouncing off the walls and looking like they are hopped up on something. Everyone was just hanging out and waiting to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. So I was called to go to a small building with the other students to begin the class. There was a group of four guys, two businessman looking gentleman, me, the guy that was sitting at the same table as me, and maybe one or two others. We watched a video explaining the basics and some other stuff. The instructor walked us through what we would be doing and showed us some of the equipment. By this time I was more than ready to go. So although up to now things were going at a rather slow pace, it was about to change. We went back to the hanger and were outfitted with our jumpsuits, altimeters, harnesses, gloves, hat, and goggles. Then our jumpmaster's walked us through the steps of the flight and jump. It seemed to be flying by and I wondered if I would remember it all. I recall seeing television footage of people skydiving for the first time and I noticed they didn't look scared, but simply focused on what they were to do. This is the experience that I had. My brain was going over the things that I was instructed to do. It seemed like a lot when I was told but it really was only a few things. As soon as we were geared up and we ran through the steps again we began to board the plane. Now I'm thinking WOW things are really moving fast. What a change from the rest of my morning. From the point when I started watching the instructional video tape to the time I was out the plane door I had no fear what so ever, (Really, I'm not kidding). My mind was occupied with the task at hand. I'm sure this is done purposely for just this reason. Because I can say that I felt safe and in good hands the whole time. And once we got going there was no time to start thinking about fear or anything else for that matter.

We entered the plane and filed in. We sat toboggan style in two rows, facing the back of the plane. I was on the side of the door and a few people back from it. We all got in and the plane began it's taxi along the runway. We lined up and took off. That was a powerful plane. I love taking off and I had never experienced one like this. I could see the ground going away and down through the open door. That was great. As we reached about 13,500 feet or so, if I remember correctly, the jumpmasters began to hook up to us and run through the first of 3 safety checks. My mind was still on what was happening at the moment, no time to think about anything else. We finished with the prep work and went up on our knees. When we reached our jump height we began to stand up. The first people to go were the more experienced jumpers. There was a guy going solo, and another with a video camera attached to his helmet. As I watched they jumped out and within a second were swallowed by the clouds around them. It was a magnificent sight and I was in heaven. It was worth the whole thing just to witness that. Words cannot describe how cool it was. Then the tandem jumpers went. When it was my turn I waddled up to the door. You have to duck and waddle as the ceiling of the plane isn't very high and you have another person strapped to your back. I walked all the way to the edge of the doorway and looked out. For the first jump I was instructed to keep my hands crossed to my chest and to look at the engine of the plane, (another reason why it was not scary, I wasn't looking at the ground) not that I could have seen it through the clouds anyway. We jumped out into the clouds and instantly I was in a whole different world. Many sensations hit me at once. All of them were beautiful. I will recount them as I remember them. The first thing I was aware of were the clouds. We were engulfed in them. And that sensation of falling, (which felt more like floating in the wind) it was like diving into a lake, but instead of hitting the water, it was just wind and this moist white vapor. As my body stabilized I regained my equilibrium. I ran through my checks that I had been going over and over before the jump. And when I was done, the sky opened up and we were through the clouds. Houses were little dots. And I could see forever through the sporatic openings in the clouds. It was rather cloudy and so I could not see continuously but it didn't matter. I had tunnel vision and I would look at one spot, then move my eyes to another. I checked my altimeter, coming up on 5500 feet which is the altitude at which I pull the cord, I give the signal and let'er rip, just like I had practiced. I must say that I didn't have to think to much. I just ran through the things I was taught on the ground. The parachute opened and it felt like I went from falling to being pulled upward. I melted into my harness and let out a sigh of bliss. I had never felt such wonderful sensations in my life. I didn't have a tense muscle in my body. I must say I was surprised. I had expected it to be the adrenaline rush of all time, although that's not what I was out for, (I guess that's why). I was looking for the feeling of total release. And complete peace. I found it, over 13,000 feet in the air. I looked down on the world and it was beautiful. I was flying. No plane, no fake wings, no propulsion system, just gliding on the wind with no cares or worries. My jump master took us through a few turns, adjusting our coarse. I can compare this to a roller coaster. But a roller coaster is violent compared to this. It's just gliding. I felt it in my stomach, it tickled a little. It was also a rush and very exhilarating. As we got closer to the ground my jumpmaster taught me how to make a landing. We glided in. One minute we were fast approaching the ground and then we were gently sliding on our butts. It was very fun. It was like sitting, not falling, on a slide, and then sliding a couple of feet. A great flight and a great landing.

On my second jump I learned how to perform spins in freefall. This was great. Just by turning my shoulders I could turn in circles. But it wasn't like spinning on the ground. It was more like the earth moved instead. Like almost everything I experienced in Skydiving it was very smooth and graceful. I also made a few turns with the parachute. It's even better when you control it yourself. This time we landed standing up and it was perfect. We just slowed down and then we weren't moving anymore. There was no jerk or stumble, it was picture perfect. I can't wait to go again for my third jump. I understand I will be able to perform a lot more of the actions on my own. And then from there I get to go out with my own parachute and control everything. But it will still be nice knowing the instructor will be next to me in case I forget something. When I left I went out to eat. I looked outside and up to the clouds. A big smile went across my face and even though I was looking up at the clouds I was seeing them below me again. And I felt that floating peaceful feeling all over again. I don't think I'll ever look at the sky quite the same way again... I've been there.

Robert D. Conn II

5-6-98

copywrited 1998