POSTED August 1, 5:48 PM
I just read that the Secret Service gave the okay for skydiving at our airport.
I wonder if anyone from the Secret Service has ever gone "swooping?" Do they even let the Secret Service go skydiving? Is it in their contract that they can't do something as fun as skydiving? Are they even allowed to jump out of an airplane and yell "woo-hoo"?
Because the DNC will be under heightened security, our Longmont airport and it's skydiving company Mile-Hi Skydiving (which hosts the "swooping" competition during the same time as the DNC) had to get clearance from the Secret Service to have airplanes flying with people jumping out of them.
I, and my general aviation flying family, have always been an advocate of our local airport here in Longmont. I'm also among the group of people who can say that not only have I flown in a small airplane, but I've jumped out of one as well. I've written about our flying adventures here at Examiner as well as written one of our city councilwomen (who also has skydived) about promoting tourism linked to Vance Brand Airport.
I'd also like to think that the former owner of Mile-Hi Skydiving and friend of ours, Jeff Sands (who passed away in 2003) would have gotten a big kick out of the DNC coming to Colorado. He would have been buzzing the DNC in his well known helicopter with a bullhorn as part of the protests if this hadn't been approved by the Secret Service or else dropping in on Invesco Field with his American flag (as pictured above).
So, if the Secret Service had shut down the skydiving and "swooping" out of Vance Brand Airport in Longmont, one of our local aviation activities for visitors wouldn't have the chance to be spotlighted. I'll have to call Mile-Hi Skydiving to see how many Secret Service personnel they will be required to have at the event to stand around behind their dark shades and report over their little earpiece mic's that "Yes, I can confirm that all people who went up in the plane have come down with their parachutes in this vicinity. Roger that. No one has been reported "swooping" in on the DNC."
Longmont Examiner
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