Sky Diving 240807


	Sky Dive on 24 August 2007 by John Feltham Aged 70 years and 4 days!	Home Page 2
	All photos were taken with a Nikon fitted with a 'Fish Eye' lens. It was operated by the cameraman who had a small tube with a flat pad about the size of a thumbnail. The pad was placed in his mouth. He also had a video camera on the side of his helmet. He managed to get eight shots with us and the aircraft in the frame as we leapt from the Cessna 172 aircraft.
		The Cessna 172 on the ground.

		Townsville through the closed door. The STRAND stretches from the "Rockpool" (centre) all the way to the left, towards the port.

		A nice view of the Strand.



		Townsville's best kept secret, Magnetic Island, so named by Captain James Cook, who sailed past here a few years ago.

		Still going up.

		Magnetic Island.

		Not a lake in the middle of Magnetic Island, just the shadow of the cloud.

		Pilot on right, myself looking like I am saying my prayers! Not so. My instructor was hooking me up to his harness and then I had to crawl forwards to the door on my knees.

		This didn't look or feel nice to me! I'd rather have been somewhere else at this time! At just over 12,000 feet, its a long way down..... Notice the hand of the cameraman who is already out of the aircraft and is just hanging on to the strut.

		I didn't jump, he pushed himself out and I had to go. Cameraman is just letting go too. Arms are not crossed in prayer, but to stop them windmilling around.

		Too late to go back now! Nice view.

		What does one say?

		Is he praying to a higher being?

		Heads down and bums up!

		Nice view of Townsville.

		Aircraft is still in view.

		Still in freefall.

		My house is actually directly beneath us in the distance. Last shot that still has the aircraft in view.

		Ah, here is the drogue chute that keeps us vertical as we come down to 4,000 feet. Our house still in view in the distance. Townsville down below.

		Good view of Townsville using a "fish eye" lens.

		Cameraman coming in close to take shots of the terror on my face!

		We spin around from time to time to see the city from different directions.

		Smile, you're on candid camera.

		Face is flapping about in the breeze.

		Just a small turn.

		Palleranda on the right. The airport can be seen in the middle bottom of the shot.

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