Parachutes to dot the skies over Lake Dora on May 10

It’s an impressive sight over Lake Dora and a tradition that began a few years ago.  A vintage military plane roars overhead as dozens of veteran Army Ranger “jumpers'' parachute into Lake Dora leaving onlookers in awe.  The event returns on May 10 with veterans jumping from the plane during several passes over the lake. 
 
The jumps, organized by Phantom Airborne Brigade, feature former military Airborne members parachuting from the Tico Belle, a vintage Douglas C-47 that dropped troops on D-Day in Normandy and is now based in Titusville.
 
The recreational brigade, based in Zephyrhills, will have multiple airlifts with several jumpers per flight.  The event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. and is expected to last until 2 p.m., but times vary.  After each lift, there is typically a 20-minute break for the plane to return to Leesburg airport to pick up the next group of jumpers. The drops will start near the west end of Lake Dora near Tavares and continue east toward the center of the Tavares side of the lake.  The event typically isn't visible from Mount Dora. 
 
The jumpers will slowly descend over Lake Dora and be plucked from the water by volunteer boaters that will have attended a safety briefing prior to participating. ​The group selected Lake Dora due to the good public viewing. The drop area is a safe distance from observers and is closest to Wooton Park and Kalua Beach Bar.
 
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