National

Skydivers use their bodies to paint a picture of coronavirus in Texas sky, video shows

The Dallas-Fort Worth skyline was a little bit more colorful over the weekend. A team of over 40 skydivers took off from Skydive Spaceland Dallas and managed to build a true-color replica of the COVID-19 virus in the sky, a news release said.

The team, which included two videographers, wore gloves and face shields and managed to accurately form the virus that changed the world on their eighth attempt.

Skydive Spaceland Dallas, a team of 40 jumpers, succeeded in their eighth attempt to build a true-color replica of the coronavirus
Skydive Spaceland Dallas, a team of 40 jumpers, succeeded in their eighth attempt to build a true-color replica of the coronavirus Norris Gearhart Norris Gearhart

“We wanted to show how a team of safety-conscious jumpers could confront COVID-19 in freefall,” said Texas skydiver Larry Henderson, who designed and organized the jump. “Even in these stressful times, 42 people can come together to do something extraordinary and meaningful. It’s our way of showing how we can get together to get through the pandemic.”

The jumpers represented 11 states and have logged between 241 and 12,382 skydives during their jump careers.
The jumpers represented 11 states and have logged between 241 and 12,382 skydives during their jump careers. Zach Lewis Zach Lewis
Zach Lewis and Jim McCormick listen to jump instructions.
Zach Lewis and Jim McCormick listen to jump instructions. Ron Shipp Ron Shipp

According to the release, the jumpers represented 11 states and have logged between 241 and 12,382 skydives during their jump careers. This complicated jump took on the task of precision flying so the coordination took multiple attempts before it was successful on Sunday morning.

The team was carried by two de Havilland Twin Otters and jumped at 14,200 feet. The formation was complete in under 42 seconds.

Each member of the team received T-shirts with an image of the virus and the words: “COVID, It’s officially airborne.”

This story was originally published August 17, 2020 at 10:20 AM with the headline "Skydivers use their bodies to paint a picture of coronavirus in Texas sky, video shows."

TJ Macias
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
TJ Macías is a Real-Time national sports reporter for McClatchy based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Formerly, TJ covered the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers beat for numerous media outlets including 24/7 Sports and Mavs Maven (Sports Illustrated). Twitter: @TayloredSiren
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