Training is well under way for the 52,000 feet European Record High Altitude Parachute Jump planned for May / June 2008.
Project SpaceJump welcomes Airkix Indoor Skydiving as it's latest sponsor and I started testing the freefalling characteristics of what will be a long line of various space suits in their Milton Kynes Tunnel today. This one was designed for Russian high altitude Mig pilots.
The suit flew me, rather than the other way around. Helmet visor steamed up, hose pulled helmet out of line and the parachute (tunnel rig), stopped me from arching properly and keeping my head up. A testimony to the usefullness of this tunnel is the fact that just 5 minutes saw me overcome those problems and fly the suit more easily. This is a major safety factor. I can test systems here before ever stepping out of a plane or balloon...brilliant.
Thanks to my tunnel coach and Airkix Tunnel Manager Andy for his continued guidance and great instruction.
Over the next three months I'll be training in this tunnel for at least 10 hours, which is equivalent to 600 skydives. On top of the 300 real skydives I'll be doing, this makes for an awesome training package. The great thing is that you don't need to be a skydiver to fly there. It's great fun.
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