Cy*Burr // spring 2004

Up, Up and Away
Five Kent State students take to the great wide open as they skydive for the first time as part of the Rec. Center’s bi-annual trip to the AerOhio Skydiving Center

Flying for the first time can be a traumatic experience for many people. The landing can be particularly tough when the plane begins to shake violently, descending towards Earth at high speed.

Josh Neal, a junior fine arts major, found an unusual way of dealing with his first plane ride and, in particular, the landing. He simply jumped out before it began its descent.

Neal was part of a group of five Kent State students who skydived for the first time as part of the Recreation Services trip to the AerOhio Skydiving Center. The students all opted for the tandem dive. The tandem dive is where a certified instructor jumps with a beginner, who is attached to the front of the teacher.

“I guess I’m just a thrill seeker,” Neal said. “I’ve never even flown before so it’s kind of like two things at once. I’m a little nervous but I’m sure it will be a rush.”

“You Can Be Seriously Injured. You Can Be Killed Skydiving. You Do Not Have To Skydive. You Do Not Have To Sign The Waiver. We Have No Insurance.”

AerOhio Skydiving Center is on a small country road, surrounded by farmland, in the middle of Wayne County. A tiny sign points the way up a dirt driveway to what appears to be a wooden hut next to a small white airplane. The plane rests in a field the size of a football field. One of the first things that catch your eye on the building is a small sign that reads: “You Can Be Seriously Injured. You Can Be Killed Skydiving. You Do Not Have To Skydive. You Do Not Have To Sign The Waiver. We Have No Insurance.”