Parachuting from Waiouru

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 1, 3 June 1986, Page 3

Parachuting from Waiouru

If Sergeant Tony Fletcher tells you to "go jump out of a plane" he probably means well. Since March he has been training people to jump out of planes in safety, with parachutes on their backs. So far he has put nearly 100 people through the course which is held during evenings at Waiouru Camp. For $90 course members get ten or twelve hours training, and a first jump. Sergeant Fletcher has done overthirtyjumps himself, with the military and as a civilian. Safety is his first concern on the course and injuries are rare. "There has been one small fracture on the course out of 100 people, and that was because they did a bad landing. We can only teach them how to do it safely and then it's up to them," he said.

Why do it! "For excitement, adventure and challenge. It's a community service for Waiouru. We're doing it for fun, and we hope to get a club together and teach free fall and whatever people want." Nearly all first-timers come back for another jump, but interest tends to fall off after that, he says. There's no reason why women can't parachute. "Three women have jumped so far. They tend to be lighter so they have a softer landing!" says Fletcher. While training takes place at Waiouru the trainees jump over Karioi airstrip. Anyone interested can contact pilot Mike Foley at Waiouru or ring Sergeant Fletcher at Waiouru Camp on 56-1 11, extension 677.