Father & Son Skydive: Daniel's 18th Birthday

As pilots, we spend all our time working to keep aircraft precisely where they belong in the air. For my son Daniel’s 18th birthday, we decided to break the cardinal rule of aviation and voluntarily jump out of a perfectly good airplane.

Suited up in jump gear and harnesses before heading out to the aircraft.

We suited up for tandem jumps to mark the milestone. Experiencing aviation from the outside of the fuselage—feeling terminal velocity before the canopy opens—gives you a completely different perspective on altitude and airflow than sitting behind an altimeter in the cockpit.

Proudly holding our tandem jump certificates after a smooth landing.

It was a fantastic way to celebrate Daniel turning 18 and an unforgettable memory to share together before returning to our usual spot in the cockpit.