Parachuting: Adventure in the sky

Parachuting: Adventure in the sky

By Primastuti Handayani and Thalia Kamarga

BOGOR, West Java (JP): Centuries ago, our predecessors dreamed
of being able to fly like birds. Now, because of modern
technology people can travel by airplane.

Flying in an aircraft is not the same as flying without the
help of any machine. Nor is it as challenging or exciting.

Parachuting is an alternative to other air sports. You will
feel alone up there, feeling free like a bird in the sky.

People may imagine that being a skydiver is the toughest thing
in the world. Well, that is not true. As long as you are healthy
and have the nerve, you can fly.

"By jumping a maximum of 10 times, people will be able to
fly," Bambang Samudra, a member of the Aves Club, Bandung, told
The Jakarta Post.

"Usually, after jumping only eight times while accompanied by
instructors, people are capable of jumping solo," he added.

Bambang said that the training nowadays is much easier
compared to the 1980s, when he was trained by military officers.

"It was tougher. Those who wanting to join the club had to
undergo physical and psychological tests," he said.

Before anyone is allowed to do a safety jump alone, they have
to undergo a series of classroom drills and ground training.

"We'll provide lessons about airships, the exits, safety and
emergency procedures. These must be well memorized," Bambang
said.

Modern science and technology also enables learners the latest
parachuting training method, which is Accelerated Free Fall.

"Two instructors will take a student hand in hand and teach
him about balancing in air. The instructors will correct all
movements on the spot," Bambang said.

The latest parachutes are equipped with automatic safety
devices. The device automatically opens a parachute if it is not
manually done several seconds after jumping out of the plane, if
the person's jump speed is more than eight feet per second, if
the main parachute does not open properly or if the person's
altitude is less than 1,000 feet.

Bambang said that there are several categories in parachuting:
skydiving formation, canopy formation, accuracy landing and
freestyle.

"The easiest and quickest thing to learn is accuracy landing.
We only need to jump from 3,000 feet and land. The problem shows
up when we try to land on a target that is only 3 centimeters
big," he said.

"Accuracy landing needs a bigger parachute with a bigger
gliding ratio. It will curve slower, because we're heading
towards a tiny target, and it is more stable," he said.

Formations

Bambang said that after parachuting several times people can
learn a few maneuvers, like skydiving or canopy formations.

"Canopy formations need a smaller but stronger parachute,
because the formation needs fast maneuver," he said.

"Skydiving formation needs the smallest and lightest parachute
because we emphasize on the formation," he informed.

More than 200 people have joined the Aves Club, which was
established on July 28, 1969. Unfortunately only 50 percent are
active. Thirty of them are athletes, mostly college students.

"There are various things that motivate people to try
parachuting. The most common reason is that they just want to
try. Sometimes people try parachuting just to get attention,"
Bambang said.

"Through natural selection, we'll know which people are really
serious about the sport," he added.

Jobs and distance are the major reasons that some members are
inactive.

In line with Federation Aeronautique Internationale rules, the
Aves does not allow anyone under 17 years old to jump.

"Years ago we admitted 14-year-old students, but now there is
a new international regulation we abide by it," Bambang said.

The Aves Club provides parachuting lessons for Rp 5 million
(US$2,110) at the Lido Lake Resort, which is owned by Adnan
Mokodompit. Mokodompit is one of the club's founders. The others
are senior journalist and the country's most senior skydiver
Trisno Yuwono, former chairman of the club Johnnie Saleh,
and director of state-owned PT Migas, Arifin Panigoro.

"It is better for students to take lessons, at least for 10
jumps, than to take a tandem jump," Bahar, also a member of the
club, said. The club charges $150 for tandem jumps.

"The club does not charge a member's fee. We, the seniors,
established a business company to finance the club's activities,"
Bambang said.

Indonesia has several private clubs. People can take lessons
at Garuda or 165 Skydivers, both in Jakarta, Manguni in Manado,
North Sulawesi, and Katulistiwa in West Java.

The directorate general of customs and excise also has clubs
throughout the country.

Aves, which won the Independence Cup skydiving formation
championships in Cibubur, East Jakarta, in 1993, and the Asia
Pacific accuracy landing championships in Australia in 1981, is
the only parachuting club with its own plane, a Cessna 185 which
can carry five people.

"It is a risky sport. Some people die and some get injured,
but, with improvements through advanced technology, we hope many
younger people become interested in parachuting," Bambang
expressed his hope.

"It's not true that we're not scared. Of course we get scared.
But our fright makes us control ourselves," he added.