Man Turns 90, Leaps Out of Plane

[bfez1]

CLEWISTON, Fla. (AP) -- Turning 90 made Guy Glinski want to jump out of a plane. So he took the plunge.

The nonagenarian gave himself a memorable birthday present Saturday, getting into a propeller plane and jumping out at 13,000 feet, tethered to an instructor.

"I've always wanted to do this," said Glinski, a retired carpenter and widower of three years. "I'll be back next year."

Glinski's daughter, Elizabeth Biersdorfer, 61, hugged him and wished him luck moments before the jump. She didn't seem surprised - or bothered - by her father's decision to pick up a new hobby.

"He's pretty sound of mind and he's in good shape," she said.




Glinski says he was inspired after reading a newspaper article about an 86-year-old woman who made a tandem skydive.

After a minute in free-fall and six minutes gliding under the open chute, Glinski could only muster a few words as he sat on the ground Saturday.

"Pretty cool, pretty cool," he said.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[JCT777]

Wow! 90 years old and willing to jump out of an airplane. While it is not something I would EVER do, I admire him for being brave enough to this.