I’m fine — for now

The accelerated freefall is where the skydiver jumps alone and, according to Sherry Butcher, requires a lot more responsibility on the part of the jumper.

McGatha certainly looked the most composed of the group and, when it came time to make the jump, she still didn’t appear fazed.

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“I’m a little bit nervous but it still hasn’t quite hit me yet,” McGatha said. “I’m excited just waiting to get up there. It will definitely hit me in the plane when I have all the stuff on.”

The training procedure prior to jumping was very basic for the tandem jumpers. After they had been fitted with their outfits, which resembled jogging apparel from the early 1980s, the five were taken through the positions they should adopt when making the leap.

“Good arch and body position,” said Peter Andexlinger, a skydiving instructor, loudly to the group. “Don’t grab our hands remember.”

Nearly three hours after arriving in Wayne County and after completing their training and being suited up, the fearless five were finally ready to make the jump.

“I’m a little bit nervous but it still hasn’t quite hit me yet. I’m excited just waiting to get up there.”

“Right now I’m fine,” said Tony Baldwin, a freshman in aviation who wanted to make the leap before he turned 19 in a week’s time. “I’m looking forward to it, but I’m sure I’ll be scared when I get up there.”

Alongside another party from Ohio State University, the group was split into two. McGatha, Flickinger and Neal were in the first faction to take to the skies.

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