Erroll 80 #1 September 22, 2003 From The Star (Johannesburg, SA) http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=129&fArticleId=239654 Skydivers set new, freezing record September 19, 2003 By Marleen Smith Two South African military parachutists have achieved a record height for tandem jumping. Lieutenant-Colonel Blikkies Blignaut and his passenger, Corporal Elias Mafora, jumped from 35 100 feet above sea level, 44 Parachute Regiment has announced. Major Sakkie van Rooyen, Parachute School commander at the regiment in Tempe, outside Bloemfontein, said yesterday's jump was an African record. They were still inquiring about the world record. To put their achievement in perspective, Van Rooyen said Boeing aircraft usually flew at around 30 000 feet. Blignaut and Mafora were the only tandem team in a group of 26 parachutists who jumped from 35 100 feet yesterday. They were all participating in an advanced course being presented at the regiment until today. They had to brave an upper air temperature of minus 47¡C. Frostbite, hyperventilation and oxygen shortages were but a few of the dangers they faced. They inhaled oxygen from big cylinders on the C-130 Hercules plane until shortly before the jumps. During the jumps they received oxygen through smaller cylinders attached to their kit. Van Rooyen, who also jumped, said in the upper air layers they fell at an estimated speed of 220km/h. The 26 free-fell for around 2 minutes and 15 seconds before opening their chutes. None were injured. - Sapa ===================================== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Erroll 80 #2 September 23, 2003 QuoteThey were still inquiring about the world record. They could well have broken the world record. The highest tandem jump (albeit civilian) that I have been able to 'Google' was done by Eddie Grantland (30,200' agl). http://www.skydivecenter.com/staff/staff.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CJK 0 #3 September 25, 2003 Blikkies showed us the video. AWESOMEEEE!!!!!!!!!! One of the single bodies passes out in the aircraft due to faulty valve on the oxy bottle. And we thought WE depended on our gear. Ohhhh also, Mafora, sweet opening you packed on that last jump man ;)Grounded?!?!?! Whadda ya mean I'm "GROUNDED"?!?!?!?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
