This is the moment a group of thrill-seeking skydivers were given the unforgettable opportunity to jump from the bomb bay doors of a military aeroplane . Arranged by Chicagoland Skydiving Center , the special event was enjoyed by 10 people who dropped from the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress in the skies over Rochelle , Illinois . Exiting the aircraft from 5,000ft , the skydivers each made a donation of $ 500 ( £340 ) to the Collings Foundation – the non-profit organisation that operates the plane – in order to take part in the jump . One of the skydivers jumps out of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress through its bomb bay doors . Each skydiver made a donation of $ 500 ( £340 ) to the Collings Foundation to take part in the jump . Filmed on GoPro cameras attached to helmets , the video begins with the skydivers boarding the heavy bomber aircraft at an airport in Rockford , Illinois . Developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Corps , the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft . The prototype B-17 was designed and built at Boeing ’ s own expense by a team of engineers led by E. Gifford Emery and Edward Curtis Wells . Boeing chief test-pilot Leslie Tower was at the controls of the Model 299 when it made its maiden flight on July 28 , 1935 . The name Flying Fortress was used to describe the aircraft because the Model 299 included multiple machine gun installations . The B-17 served numerous USAAF units in combat throughout World War II and was even used by the RAF in non-bomber roles . The B-17 Flying Fortress has become a symbol of power and the America Air Force . Capturing the closed bay doors from the inside of the plane , the video switches to show the aircraft 's large propellers starting up before the B-17 leaves the runway . In the air , one of the skydivers checks out the numerous guns attached to the aircraft as well as the two pilots driving it from the cockpit . Before long the B-17 is cruising at around 5,000ft and the bay doors can be seen opening via a camera mounted to the bottom on the plane . Inside the skydivers stand over the opening floor and hold on to the railings on either side as Northern Illinois comes into view below . Waiting for the right moment , the skydivers then begin dropping from the plane at different times – as the camera underneath picks up their rapid exits . The video concludes with footage recorded from a GoPro , which shows the plane moving further away as the skydiver gets closer to the ground . Mike Wood , Chief Operations Officer at Chicagoland Skydiving Center and one of the jumpers in the video , spoke enthusiastically about the experience . One of the skydivers said jumping out of the bay doors was one of the most incredible experiences of his life . The special event was enjoyed by 10 people who dropped from the plane in the skies over Rochelle , Illinois . He told Newsflare : ‘ I 've been skydiving for more than 30 years and a pilot for more than 20 , and the B-17 jump was one of the most incredible experiences of my life . ‘ As a pilot and a jumper , it 's a privilege to have had a ride in this plane . 'Watching the bomb bay doors open below my feet was a sight I will never forget. ’ The Chicagoland Skydiving Center conduct numerous skydives every year with specialty aircraft being brought to its drop zone in Illinois . The Collings Foundation raises money to cover maintenance costs by bringing war planes to air shows across the US . The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Corps . The skydivers prepare to drop through the bomb bay doors while cruising at an altitude of 5,000ft .
The skydivers exited the B-17 from 10ft above Rochelle , Illinois . The 5,000 jumpers paid $ 500 ( £340 ) to Collings Foundation for privilege . Video captures moment bay doors open and skydivers exit plane . Skydiver described experience as 'the most incredible of his life ' Chicagoland Skydiving Center conducted the unique event .