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Tonya Papanikolas reporting You don't usually expect to see 83-year-olds jumping out of planes. But a Sandy man recently took a high-flying ride.
Bud Blank may be 83, but he's got the spirit of a 20-year-old.
Bud Blank: "I never did believe I was 83. I don't feel like it."
The day before Father's Day, Bud proved his youthful heart by skydiving with five of his grandkids.
Bud Blank: "It was just the greatest father's day present in the world."
Bud's grandson Josh first thought of the gift when he learned his grandpa had trained to be a Marine paratrooper during World War Two.
Josh Baker, Bud's Grandson: "He started explaining it to me about his training and jumping off of large towers."
But after four months of training, the paratroopers disbanded because the war was almost over. Bud never got to jump out of a plane.
Bud Blank: "It was a real let down."
When Josh mentioned his grandpa should go skydiving, Bud couldn't wait.
Josh Baker: "He'd actually come to me about it and said, so, when are we jumping out of a plane?"
As he got ready for the ride, Bud says he wasn't nervous at all.
Bud Blank: "I hope i'm gonna float down easily."
Josh Baker: I was like, are you feeling alright? Are you having any problems? 'Oh, no, I'm ready to go... I'm excited, it's like Christmas.' "
At 13,000 feet, his Skydive Utah trainer met him at the door.
Bud Blank: "He just pushed you out. And away you went."
Bud says his favorite part was the 45-second freefall.
Bud Blank: "We reached 145 miles per hour when he pulled the chute open."
As he landed, Josh saw a breathless look of excitement on his grandpa's face.
Josh Baker: "He was just overwhelmed by it, it seemed like."
"Congratulations! You just completed your first successful skydive. What do you think? "
Bud Blank: Oh, that was great. There's nothing like it. It was an awesome experience."
And a lifelong dream fulfilled.
Bud says he wants to go skydiving again. In the future would love to do it on his own, without a trainer.
