When I took my first skydiving jump which I detail in my book, I was in college. Yes, I may have at least thought myself immortal before I was standing on the strut of Cessna 150 high-wing airplane over 3,000 feet above the Earth. The moment I positioned myself to leave the plane with the guidance of my jump instructor the fear of death leaped into my heart and brain along with the wind and propeller wash even though it had been cut to idle before my jump.
Looking down the earth looked like a colorful afghan quilt over a large balloon with a meandering river weaving between squared off sections. Back in those days there was no professional jumper strapped to our back. Yes, we jumped from a lower altitude but we jumped alone. I would recommend everyone try it at least once. The sensation of weightlessness and subsequent floating above Earth is magical. At a few hundred dollars It is far cheaper than a $250,000 trip by Virgin Galaxy and maybe even safer.
Author of "Life Is Short/Death Is Forever"