Dear AtmosphAir Staff:

Myself along with alot of my family members where there on Saturday October 13th and out of that group 5 of us jumped.  My Aunt (Lesa Bunce) got all of us this as a gift.   ALL 5 are already making plans to jump again with you ( and only you!!!) and we are bringing more with us next time as well.   The whole day was wonderful and perfect and that is due to you.  From the moment we arrived there the smiles on the staff members faces and the excitement from the staff and us made the day perfect!!   I myself was the only one out of the 5 that had jumped before.  I went to Ormo and will not go there again now after being at your jump site.  Everything was perfect and the staff was incredible.

To Jay my jump instructor -  Thank you sooooo much for sharing the excitement with me.  Even though you have jumped many times you seemed just as excited as I was.  That made the jump even better for me and I thank you for that!    We shared a moment  together that no one else can share with me.....   we were flying!!!  Since Saturday I can't stop thinking about it and I only wish I could do that again and again.  You made me feel comfortable and I had the best time of my life.  I can't even put into words how I feel right now and how bad I want to return to the air.  Today driving to work I was looking up in the sky thinking man I was there two days ago.  I WILL return to the air again.  There is no feeling that is better than that feeling.  You will forever be apart of my life now and in my memories.  Thank you for making this memory a WONDERFUL one for me.  I appreciate it more than you will ever know.  

To Jon the video guy  -   My video is so sweet!!!!!  Since Saturday I have watched it at least 20 times and still have more people to show and get just as excited to show it again and again.  You did such a wonderful job capturing the excitement of that day.  I truly am happy with this video.  Every time I watch it, I smile ear to ear and am so glad I have this to relive the moment again and again.  The feeling I had while free falling almost comes back while I watch the video.  I go into another world while watching it.  Thank you for doing such a great job.  

To Bo and Alex -  You guys have a wonderful place and wonderful staff members!!!  Bo you were in the plane with me and my niece.  Even though you have jumped over 10,000 times, the look on your face as we were going up in the air, seemed as if it was your first time.  You could tell you truly enjoy this and love it.  You and Jay in the plane together with me and niece was AWESOME!  I will never forgot this day or you guys.  I wish I could express my feelings of gratitude more.  Please know that everything you guys did on Saturday was perfect and made the best memories for me and my family.

We will see you guys again soon.  Hopefully in spring or early fall we will return and we are bringing more jumpers this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Thanks again for everything!  You guys are the best!!!!!!!  I will be talking about this for months and will be recommending you to ALL!

Christa Troemel
 

Many people would look at skydiving as a “thrill” but it wasn’t that for me.  Yes, I am adventurous in some ways but I have never been a thrill seeker, however, skydiving has always attracted me – more than any other type of sport or activity, it was as if it was something I was compelled to do.  As it turns out, it was the right thing for me to do, especially at this point in my life.  This was more than a “thrill” for me; it was a very spiritual, moving and personal growth experience. 

I have had opportunities to skydive previously, but the timing never felt right.  An appointment was scheduled earlier this month but again timing wasn’t right – Mother Nature decided that.  There was disappointment but not a tremendous amount, I knew I would go when the timing was right (synchronicity) – everything happens for a reason.  As it turns out, I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day; the trees and lawn were so lush and green, the sky a beautiful powder blue with soft fluffy white clouds, the sun was shining very brightly and the air temperature was perfect with no humidity.  I had also decided that as I was free falling I would let go of so many negative memories and make this a positive growth experience – little did I know…………..

The people at the skydive center were very warm, caring, funny and reassuring; we were made to feel as though we were old friends.  Bo (owner) made the instruction class interesting, he kept it light so that we all felt comfortable, although he did say that if we weren’t a bit scared than there was something wrong with us – it was normal to be scared & we shouldn’t be afraid to show it.  Funny thing, I wasn’t scared in the least (hmm, what’s wrong with me?), I felt anticipation for the jump more than any other emotion.

Finally, we were in the plane & climbing to altitude – the scenery was amazingly beautiful.  We were asked if we were nervous, when we replied that we weren’t we had to hold out our hands – they were NOT shaking.  At last it was time to “take the big step”!!  I will say that for a brief few seconds once I stepped out, there was a bit of apprehension but I realized I was committed, so I relaxed, arched my back, spread out my arms and leaned my head back (as we had been instructed) and looked to the horizon.

It was at this moment when I looked skyward that I was filled with such a sense of serenity, comfort and a fullness of heart (soul); the most wonderful feeling of freedom and joy.  As I leaned forward it was as if I was flying, an enormous sense of freedom, I could see both the sky above and the land below; it was at this moment I realized how small I am in the scheme of things but, oh, how important I am, too.  As we were freefalling, I felt as though layers were falling away from me – almost like the layers of an onion skin and I began to feel lighter, freer and a feeling of joy came over me; I felt a lightness that I haven’t felt since I was a child.

When the chute opened it was as if arms were cradling me and very gently pulling me back, as if to say, “Take a look around one more time, see the heavens and the earth – see and appreciate all there is.”  I was handed the cords & shown how to veer to the right, to the left and how to spin – all fun & exhilarating.  I was shown how to pull down hard on both cords at the same time and oh – magic – we were sitting still, suspended high above the ground.  It smelled so fresh & sweet, the peacefulness was pure and it was as though I could see forever……

We continued down, sometimes twisting and again just sitting in mid-air, before long we were back on the ground.  I walked back to the hangar feeling what a rush, what a high but I knew that it wasn’t just from the physical “thrill” of the jump – it was from the emotional and spiritual “thrill” I experienced from a release of past hurts, pain and  negativity.

I walked away from there realizing that life is to be lived, go for the gusto, love with all your heart – yes there may be pain, there may be sadness and sorrow but the joy that comes will compensate.  I learned in many ways how small I am in this universe but I learned how important I truly am and that I must take what I’ve learned from this experience it and use it to help make this a better world.
NOTE:
I know these words I’ve written cannot begin to convey all the emotions & feelings I experienced but I hope anyone that may read this gain an understanding of how this was not a “thrill” adventure for me but a life altering experience.. for the better.

-Linda Hughes
           Janesville, WI
 

 Alex, Bo, Jay, Tasha, and everyone at AtmosphAIR:

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!  I just wanted to tell you that I had an absolutely amazing time!  Your staff is wonderful, your facility is wonderful, and you made me feel very at ease.  Sky diving is something that I’ve always wanted to do, and now that I’ve experienced it, I HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN!  I loved it! I wish I were able to jump again this year, but with the busyness of kids in school and sports, I may have to wait until next year depending on when your season ends.  I have talked to many people who would like to come with me when I go again.  I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it and how amazing it was!  Please pass that along to every one of your staff!!  Thanks again! 

I’ve included some pictures I pulled off the DVD. 

Tami McNeil
Beloit, WI
September 15, 2007 Jump

Good morning!  This is Nate.  I organized the group that jumped with you yesterday.  I just wanted to tell you that everyone had an absolutely amazing time!  The car ride home was filled with talk of everyones experience and hopes of going again.  Much of that talk was geared towards doing it again in a month or so.  I'm not sure what everyone's avaliblity is going to be like once school starts.  So first, when does your 'season' end?  And what weekend days do you have avalible between now and then should we have a large enough group to orgainize this again?  If we do not do it again this year, I promise you that we will be contacting you at least once next year to dive.  We absolutely love the facilities you own, the atmospher you create, and more importantly, the staff which you employ!  I can't begin to tell you how much we enjoyed it!  Please pass that along to every one of your staff!!  Thanks again!
Nate
September 2nd
 

I want to thank all of you for a wonderful day! I jumped tandem for the first time on July 1st. It was the most incredible experience ever! Bill was a great instructor. He made me feel comfortable (as I could possibly be my 1st time!). Our group is planning on making this a yearly trip. I think we can recruit more people to join us next time. Everyone that has seen my video has said they want to do it next time we go. You all are very friendly and make everyone feel welcome. Thank you again for a great day!!!

Barbra DeVault

Steve NeSmith (June 30th, 2007)

Steven R. Lindsey