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Like a bird in the sky
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Adventure lovers take to the sky as the IAF organises an aerosports camp
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THE ADVENTURERS Flashing a winning smile
As a kid I always wanted to see what the earth looked like from up there. May be it was the stories of angels, cherubs and flying carpets that fuelled my desire to take to the skies.
The ongoing tri-services multi-adventure camp at Air Force Station, Sulur, conducted by the directorate of Air Force Adventure (AFA) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) came close to making that dream come true. "Why don't you join us and have an `air experience'," asked Wing Commander Jayashankar, joint director of AFA, a specialist in aero sports. "You join a team of jumpers in a Helicopter and watch their free fall from various altitudes," he explained.
The bird's eye view from a MI 8 helicopter of the IAF would be spectacular and this persuaded the adventurer in me to go ahead ignoring the terrifying thoughts of falling off the chopper without a parachute! After all I would have 70 others for company, one of who was going to be actress Revathy!
"The adventurous spirit you see in these people rubs off on you," said Revathy. The personnel in charge of the camp conducted on-ground exercises, organised a helicopter sortie to get the jumpers accustomed to the height and familiarised them with an emergency drill.
Take off was at 5.15 p.m. I got into a warm pullover and a pair of sports shoes and watched the parachutes — the main pack and the reserve chute, being packed. " This is basically to ensure safety. When the main parachute malfunctions, the jumper can activate the reserve chute," explained Jayashankar.
After a group photo session, we took off. I was asked to sit next to the door to ensure a better view (I would have been infinitely happier seated safely away from the door!). Revathy must have guessed at what was in my mind and she reassured me. "Just use your hands and hold on to the seat. If you are scared just take deep breaths, you will feel better." I tightened my seat belt and sat back to enjoy the experience. The chill breeze on the face, the view of the meadows, jagged rock faces and misty clouds were breathtaking. I saw how the earth looked from 11,000 feet.
Inside the chopper, the mood was upbeat— chatting, joking, and posing for the video cam. And of course they were jumping. The jumpers stepped off the chopper one after another and then made formations. It was like watching gymnastics in the air.
Watching them flying like birds, I made up my mind to be there the next time.
Sport parachuting or skydiving is a thrilling adventure activity and is considered the fastest non-mechanical sport on earth. The reason for conducting these camps is to motivate young people to join the armed forces and spread awareness about adventure sports in the region.
According to Jayashankar, the sport improves self-confidence, endurance, organisation skills and teamwork.
K. JESHI
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