Skydiving caravan to drop by Friday

If you’ve ever wanted to soar over Sandpoint, Friday may be your best chance to do it. 

On July 19, Skydive West Plains of Ritzville, Wash., will bring its Cessna 208 Caravan airplane and crew of instructors to offer tandem skydiving at Sandpoint Airport. 

David DaVinci, Sandpoint local, described the Caravan as “one of the most comfortable planes you could do a tandem skydive out of.” 

DaVinci, who travels the world as a "thrillusionist” (part thrill seeker, part illusionist), parrot trainer, and wingsuit pilot, has jumped from the Caravan more than 200 times. 

“It’s a total treat to have them up here in Sandpoint," he said. 

The multitalented magician began skydiving after being inspired while performing. “Having integrated parrots into my magic shows, I thought, ‘it would be cool if I could fly,’” said DaVinci. 

Today, DaVinci has skydived more than 600 times. “It’s arguably the most fun you can have with your clothes on ... although licensed jumpers will occasionally do nude jumps!” he said with a laugh. 

According to DaVinci, the stigmas of recklessness and danger surrounding skydiving are unfounded. “Skydiving can be done with an incredible safety record,” he explained. 

Modern parachutes are equipped with an automatic activation device, which deploys a reserve chute at a predetermined altitude if there’s a problem with the primary canopy, even if the operator is unconscious. 

“You don’t think twice about throwing on a couple of skis or a snowboard and heading down the mountain and all the dangers around that,” DaVinci said. For skydiving, “the safety is incredibly high.” 

On Friday, skydiving participants will receive a brief training session before taking to the sky and harnessing with an instructor. Friends and family members can watch from the ground or even join them on the plane for a “ride along.” 

“It's a really fun way for somebody who feels they’re too elderly to jump, or just has no desire to jump, to experience all the fun from the front seat of the plane,” DaVinci explained. 

After half a thousand jumps, what’s DaVinci’s favorite place to skydive? 

“By far, Sandpoint,” said the magician. “You get the snowcapped mountains in the background over this massive lake, and you see the city from above.”