RIO DE JANEIRO, August 18 (Itar-Tass) - At 103 years, Aida Mendes continues to skydive, surprising all across Brazil. The local media reported on Saturday that the resident of Macapa (administrative centre of the state of Amap·) has recently made the third parachute jump after she celebrated her 100-year anniversary.
For the sake of sportsmanship grandma Aida comes to the airbase in the city of Foz do Igua·u, located at the junction of the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. The veteran parachutist performed her third jump from a height of more than 3 thousand metres in a tandem with an instructor, accompanied by cameramen. This time, all the formalities for registering “a record of longevity in parachuting” have been complied with. The jump, made with a delay to feel the fascination of free fall, lasted about six minutes. So the parachutist had the time to enjoy the spectacular views of Itaipu HPP - one of the world's largest hydroelectric power plants. From a technical point of view, the landing was almost flawless.
“In life you have to be brave, courage is always useful,” believes Mendes, who stated after landing that she is “not going to give up the hobby while the health is good.” By the way, before the jump she underwent a complete physical examination, including blood pressure checks.
Aida is one of the most famous parachutists at the airbase. “We’ve got a leading light here to follow her suit,” instructor Paulo Roberto Pinto, who has performed almost 10 thousand jumps over 35 years of his career, told journalists.