Pilot who plunged 15,000 feet to speak April 2

Retired Delta Capt. Cliff Judkins will speak at 10:30 a.m. April 2 at the Experimental Aircraft Association Sport Aviation Center, 690 Airport Road at Gwinnett County’s Briscoe Field.

Judkins served in the United States Marines and in 1963 plunged 15,000 feet after abandoning his crippled F8 Crusader jet over the Pacific Ocean. His parachute failed to open and he plummeted into the sea, suffering broken legs and other injuries.

Judkins’ speech will be preceded by a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. The price of the breakfast is $6.