Global News reporter jumps out of a plane with the Canadian Forces SkyHawks

WATCH: Shannon Cuciz joins the Canadian Forces SkyHawks at the Manitoba Air Show with a tandem parachute jump 

Jumping out of a plane always has been my biggest fear.

That’s what I kept telling the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, the SkyHawks, as I was getting ready to join the final performance of the Manitoba Air Show.

I was beyond excited about the opportunity to team up with Canada’s military but felt sick with fear of falling from close to 12,000 feet in the sky.

The SkyHawks team introduced me to Steve, who I would be attached to during the tandem jump, thankfully.

I put on a red freefly jumpsuit, straps, goggles and a watch that would measure how many feet in the air I was. Then I learned the four steps to a successful free fall: head up, arms tucked in, back arched, legs bent together… I could do this!

While waiting to perform in front of 18,000 people, I asked some of the SkyHawks about their stories. Most team members spent years overseas for Canada and were performing in Manitoba to show the capabilities of our army. They train hard for these events with eight jumps a day, hoping to inspire people watching.

I had goosebumps walking beside the SkyHawks through the crowd of ecstatic Canadians who were putting their hands out for a high five.

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I was welcomed into the plane with cheers and first bumps from the military as we prepared for takeoff.

After fastening my seat belt and waving goodbye to all of the people watching, my nerves really kicked in. I have never watched the world disappear beneath me on a plane, with an open back!

Once we were close to 10,000 feet in the air, the first six SkyHawks stoop up, gave anyone still sitting a pumped up handshake and then jumped out of the plane. Whooosh!

Steve made sure I was attached to him safely and we ran over the four free fall steps again. Then we received a two minute countdown. There was no backing out!

With less than a minute left to jump from almost 12,000 feet, we walked out to the edge of the plane. I could feel the air whipping and although I was very secure, my entire body started to shake with fear of falling from that height.

Steve helped me sit back down and I took deep breaths. The two SkyHawks with GoPros ready to film my jump gave me a high five, tried to make me laugh and encouraged me to go for it!

I finally closed my eyes and gathered all of the motivation I could. Steve stood up, we walked to the edge of the plane again and this time, we didn’t stop.

Whooosh! I was falling at over 120 miles per hour as we back flipped and I saw the plane above me. White noise and the rush of air was all I could hear as we dropped thousands of feet.

I felt like I was flying! The drop was exhilarating! Some of the SkyHawks filmed Steve and I as they were in the air and I’ve never smiled so big. I saluted the jumpers in front of me.

Once Steve pulled our Canadian flag parachute, my heart beat calmed down, I felt relaxed and free overlooking Manitoba from the massive blue sky. I savoured every minute of that experience, reflecting on life from a different perspective.

Now I didn’t want this adrenaline rush to end!

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After about five minutes, the ground looked closer so I practiced my landing in the air by straightening and lifting my legs so they wouldn’t hit the ground. I could see hundreds of people waiting near the ramp where we would arrive.

As we continued to drop, I heard loud cheers from the crowd below. The air show announcer called out my name seconds before our smooth land on the grass… wow! Did I just do that? I actually had to pinch myself.

Seconds later, I did an interview with the SkyHawks and another announcer on a microphone to recount the jump. Sharing the pride and respect I had for our Canadian Armed Forces with people from all over North America was a special moment.

On the way over to a final group photo, the SkyHawks congratulated me with more first bumps and high fives, saying “welcome to the team!”

I never felt more proud to be Canadian.