It’s a quick trip to the ground jumping out of a Douglas C-47 Skytrain with a vintage-style parachute.
Unlike commercial skydiving, it’s not a leisurely jaunt with scenic views and a soft landing. Total time to the earth from the military transport planes, which were commonly used by Allied forces in World War II, is just over a minute. And the landing often comes with a jolt to the back and knees, according to Florida Republican Rep. Michael Waltz.
“From a military standpoint, the longer you’re sitting up there floating under a parachute, the more vulnerable you are to get shot. So you want to be as low to the ground as possible so that you float to the ground as fast as possible,” said Waltz, a retired Green Beret who, along with several of his House colleagues, will jump from a plane over France on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
