On the TV special Stride Gum Presents Heaven Sent, skydiver Luke Aikins will jump from an airplane at 25,000 feet. He accomplishes the feat without a parachute or wing suit. Near the ground is a 100×100 net to catch his fall. Days before the big event, during a run-through, Aikins told his Facebook followers that he “twisted the trap a little bit – people weren’t exactly happy with me,” but he explained that he “really felt strongly about which way the wind was blowing.” That said, Aikins does take safety seriously. In addition to his job as a daredevil, he is also a safety and training adviser for the United States Parachute Association.
The third-generation skydiver said: “I know there’s a stereotype of extreme sports crazy guys as having an ‘I don’t care if I live or die’ attitude, but that’s not me,” he says. He admits that he’s nervous. Aikins says: I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to be nervous in that plane.” Aikins is referring to the 20-minute plane ride leading up to the 126 second free fall. The Stride Gum Presents Heaven Sent episode featuring Aikins will air on Saturday, July 30 at 8pm on FOX.
