A Life Still Being Written

• 1970

  A Versatile Education

  After leaving the Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich / Germany, Klaus Heller spends the following years training as a state-certified nurse, paramedic, and parachute instructor. Alongside his passion for skydiving, he explores various professions and becomes a helicopter pilot, journalist, photographer, freefall cameraflyer, film producer, author, and publisher.

• 1973

  A Near-Death Experience

  On September 9, 1973, Klaus Heller barely escapes death during a parachute jump over Mühldorf / Inn / Germany. When he activates his parachute at an altitude of 900 meters, the left one of the two risers also detaches. As a result, the canopy fails to open. Heller plummets toward the earth, the fabric of the parachute flapping loudly above him. Heller knows: opening the reserve parachute at that moment would mean certain death, because the reserve canopy would become entangled with the tangle of risers, suspension lines and fabric of the main canopy. First, he must also release the right riser. But the release system fails. Heller sees the river below him and the cows in the meadow beside it rushing toward him with terrifying speed. He tries a second time to release the right riser, again in vain. Only on the third attempt, drawing on every ounce of strength, does he manage to separate it. He immediately lies on his back and activates the reserve parachute, which at that time was attached to the chest. The reserve container opens immediately and releases the small white rescue parachute. It now lies on Heller’s stomach without opening. In a fraction of a second, Heller’s entire life flashes before his inner eye. “This is it,” his subconscious thinks. “No, it cannot be over yet!” Heller then throws the motionless rescue parachute with a powerful motion into the airstream. A loud bang, and the emergency parachute opens. Tears stream from Heller’s eyes. He hangs 50 meters above the river. By pulling hard on both front risers of the reserve canopy, Heller maneuvers the parachute, which was not equipped with steering lines, to the edge of the river Isen. Fifty meters! That is exactly one second of free fall!

  

• 1978

  Self-Portrait in Open Parachute

  Klaus Heller succeeds in creating an extraordinary self-portrait. After two failed openings, during which a camera was packed inside the canpy each time, he installs only a pulley (see red line) in the apex of the canopy on the third attempt and, after the opening, pulls the camera, still held in his hand with the remote release cable, up into the center of the parachute.

  

• 1979

  Author of a Textbook

  Klaus Heller’s expertise in skydiving is reflected in his first book, „Skydiving for Beginners and Advanced Jumpers“ („Fallschirmspringen für Anfänger und Fortgeschrittene“). Published by Nymphenburger Verlag, the instructional manual becomes the standard reference work for aspiring skydivers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for over 30 years. To keep pace with the rapid development of the sport, Klaus Heller updates the book extensively in nearly every one of its seven editions (up to 2008).

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• 1980

  A Pioneer of “Hang Load”

  Klaus Heller travels to California, where on June 1, 1980, he organizes and photographs a spectacular stunt in Taft: the first “hang load” with 12 parachutists on the roof of a Twin Beech (Beechcraft Model 18) while the aircraft is in flight. Heller himself sits on the roof once and flies alongside twice in a Cessna 182 to document the event. The timing has to be perfect: the Cessna first approaches 400 meters above the faster Twin Beech, then accelerates in a dive as the first jumper exits; Heller spreads all four limbs into the open doorframe to reach photo position for about 30 seconds.

  

• 1982

  A Pioneer of BASE Jumping

  On October 5, 1982, Klaus Heller makes a jump that will go down in history: from the Kochertal Bridge near Heilbronn, he becomes the first person in Germany to jump with a parachute from a fixed object—a BASE jump that sets new standards in skydiving. The German Stern magazine reports extensively on the event in its issue no. 46, dated November 11, 1982.

  

  

  

  

  

• 1984

  Jump from the Olympic Tower

  On June 12, 1984, Klaus Heller produces the film „Jump from the Munich Olympic Tower“ with 4 camera teams and 2 additional fixed cameras. The jump is performed by his friend and fellow jumper Rainer Nowak and is broadcast on Joachim Fuchsberger’s show „Auf Los geht’s los“ to a million-strong audience. The spectacular footage causes a sensation and is discussed in the press for months.

  

  

  

  

• Mid-1980s

  Encounters in Rio

  In the mid-1980s, Klaus Heller travels to Rio de Janeiro several times, where he accompanies the English mail robber Ronnie Biggs and the German consul Hans-Hermann Weyer. His work as a journalist also allows him to finance excursions into the tributaries of the Amazon River from Manaus.

  

  

  

• 1988

  First Solo Flight

  In Florida, Klaus Heller completes his first solo helicopter flight on November 10, 1988, in a Bell-47D. The route takes him from Clearwater to Sarasota-Bradenton and back again.

  

• 1990

  A Journey Around the World

  Klaus Heller’s first round-the-world trip takes him to India, among other places. In Varanasi, he experiences an impressive boat ride on the Ganges.

  

•  

  Wedding in Las Vegas

  On May 1, 1990, Klaus Heller marries his girlfriend Gabi in Las Vegas. To celebrate the occasion, Klaus charters a helicopter (Bell 206 Jet Ranger) and flies his newly wed bride over the Strip, the Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon himself at the controls.

  

• 1999 to 2001

  Film Projects in Romania

  Klaus Heller flies back and forth across Romania. With a special permit for landings outside authorized areas by day and night, he shoots two film projects.

  

• Early 2000s

  Birthday Flight

  On his 50th birthday, Klaus Heller celebrates with a full-day flying adventure around the Munich area. In a Bell-206 LongRanger, he takes friends, acquaintances, and neighbors on an unforgettable flight.

•  

  Contrasts in Panama

  In Panama, Klaus Heller experiences a striking contrast: He takes off by helicopter from the roof of a hotel in Panama City and, 20 minutes later, lands among the Emberá Indians, who live happily and self-sufficiently—just as they did 200 years ago—in the deepest jungle along the winding Río Chagres, without electricity, TV, or cell phones.

  

• 2000s until today

  Costa Rica and Panama

  Costa Rica and Panama become two of Klaus Heller’s favorite travel destinations. He visits the countries regularly to update his travel guides, among other things. In between, his travels take him to Asia, especially to Thailand and Vietnam.

• 2023

  Second Journey Around the World

  To celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary, Klaus Heller and his wife Gabi are embarking on a second trip around the world, with stops in Singapore, Sydney, Wellington, Bali, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and the highlight: Fiji.