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11,000 feet above the
Turks & Caicos Islands of the Carribean

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4/16/96 Colour 0232 Tandem Skydiving in Turks & Caicos Islands cd 0232 13 Photo CD
©1996 Van Wideman
N21º44'357" ¥ W72º17'024"

The first second after leaving the plane
Taken just as Dave Wolff is pushing off from the plane
(note his left hand on the edge of the door), we are committed!

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cd232_14_b.GIF 4/16/96 Colour 0232 Tandem Skydiving in Turks & Caicos Islands cd 0232 14 Photo CD
©1996 Philip McMaster, Freelance Professionals
N21º44'357" ¥ W72º17'024"

...a fraction of a second later, we are freefalling
Dave has pushed off, and now has his arms outstretched for stability.
(note the wing edge over the right shoulder and aircraft tail over the left)

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cd232_15_c.GIF 4/16/96 Colour 0232 Tandem Skydiving in Turks & Caicos Islands cd 0232 15 Photo CD
©1996 Philip McMaster, Freelance Professionals
N21º44'357" ¥ W72º17'024"

There's no going back, the plane has left...
The King Air's tail is leaving the frame over my right shoulder, and we are speeding up to our 120mph terminal velocity.

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cd232_16_d.GIF 4/16/96 Colour 0232 Tandem Skydiving in Turks & Caicos Islands cd 0232 16 Photo CD
©1996 Philip McMaster, Freelance Professionals
N21º44'357" ¥ W72º17'024"

Dave is a Fun Guy
Dave Wolff, the man in control of our tandem skydiving experience, takes us through a series of twists, spins, tumbles and turns.. just for fun

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cd232_17_e.GIF 4/16/96 Colour 0232 Tandem Skydiving in Turks & Caicos Islands cd 0232 17 Photo CD
©1996 Philip McMaster, Freelance Professionals
N21º44'357" ¥ W72º17'024"

Whoa, where are we going?
Literally "diving" straight down, Dave Wolff picks up speed and stability as he heads for the island of Providenciales.

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cd232_18_f.GIF 4/16/96 Colour 0232 Tandem Skydiving in Turks & Caicos Islands cd 0232 18 Photo CD
©1996 Philip McMaster, Freelance Professionals
N21º44'357" ¥ W72º17'024"

Are we having fun yet?
Although you can't tell by the expression on a face distorted by the pressures of 120 mph winds, this is a hoot!

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cd232_19_g.GIF 4/16/96 Colour 0232 Tandem Skydiving in Turks & Caicos Islands cd 0232 19 Photo CD
©1996 Philip McMaster, Freelance Professionals
N21º44'357" ¥ W72º17'024"

Dave the Spin Doctor
In spite of the pressure of the wind, a sensation of weightlessness is felt as we descend at 120 mph.

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cd232_20_h.GIF 4/16/96 Colour 0232 Tandem Skydiving in Turks & Caicos Islands cd 0232 20 Photo CD
©1996 Philip McMaster, Freelance Professionals
N21º44'357" ¥ W72º17'024"

Holding an F-90x at 120mph is no easy feat!
With the shadow of the camera strap across my face, I hold my trusty Nikon F-90x (with SB-26 flash, 20mm lens and body strap looped through the jump harness) The camera was held at arms length for the duration of the freefall. (40 seconds)

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.......... to be continue .........
See what happens next!