Page 5 - TNT Dec 2017

Soon, we were piling into a beat-up King Air and barreling down the tiny airstrip. Erin was beaming, high-fiving everyone and mugging for the GoPro. On our way up to 13,000 feet I looked back at Tim, his face ashen but doing his best to be a team player. Once at altitude, we lined up for our exit: Abby followed by Erin, then me and lastly Tim. Pair by pair, we launched. Tim stood helplessly watching his entire family fling themselves out of the doorway, hurtling toward the ground at a terminal velocity of over a 100 kts. He later admitted he felt a bit queasy.
The experience was everything that Erin dreamed it would be, from the freefall, the chute pull, the serene ride under canopy and finally the soft landing back on terra firma. She was immediately ready to go again. Tim said once was enough for him.
I am glad we could share in this magical experience with Erin, something that she had long dreamed and patiently waited to do. Flying will never stir her soul the way it does for the rest of us, and that’s perfectly fine. Just as my mother fed my passion for flight, we will continue to support and encourage Erin’s passions, even if it means feeling a bit queasy at times.
Over Thanksgiving dinner, Erin commented that she can’t wait to skydive again. “Who’s with me?” she asked. After an uncomfortable moment of silence, my mother – Erin’s grandmother who turns 75 next year – thoughtfully said, “That’s something I’ve always wanted to try – I’ll go!”
Happy holidays and best wishes for a prosperous 2018!
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December 2017 TWIN & TURBINE • 3