Taking a Flying Leap For Charity

Ethan Wayne, the son of legendary actor John Wayne, flung himself 50 feet from a helicopter Saturday into cold waters to rescue an armless mannequin dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and polyester pants. But it was for a good cause.

Wayne is a member of the Orange County Rotorheads, a group of 14 helicopter pilots who perform voluntary and community work throughout the county, including an occasional jump into the ocean to save mannequins.

Saturday’s simulated rescue off the Newport Beach Pier was an unabashed publicity stunt to bring attention to the group’s planned attempt to establish a world record in helicopter hovering in two weeks. The attempt will be aimed at raising $250,000 for the Lestonnac Free Medical Clinic in Orange, a nonprofit clinic run by volunteer doctors and nurses. The clinic offers free medical care to poor patients, said Doug D. Daigle, spokesman for the Rotorheads.

Corporations throughout Orange County have pledged money for each hour the Rotorheads hover in the air in a rebuilt Bell civilian helicopter. The Navy holds the unofficial record for hovering in a helicopter: 47 hours. The Rotorheads club is aiming at 50 hours.

Wayne, a former stunt man who is now the co-star of “Adam 12,” a Fox Broadcasting Co. series, admitted after the simulated rescue that he had never attempted a jump from a helicopter before.

“I figured it couldn’t be that bad. I was lowered from a helicopter once,” Wayne said.

For the stunt, a mannequin dressed only in brown polyester pants and a glowing Hawaiian shirt was tossed into the water several minutes after noon. The arms fell off from the impact of the waves. After a quick tour of the waters, Wayne jumped after the dummy wearing only a pair of faded jeans, a polo shirt and sneakers.

He skipped the wet suit. “It wouldn’t be realistic,” he explained.

With the roar of five helicopters carrying camera crews and reporters, Wayne grabbed the dummy in 10 seconds, plopped it onto a waiting boat and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation while a crowd of 50 fans and fishermen on the pier watched. Wayne then waved to the cheering crowd.

“The Lestonnac Clinic needs all the attention it can get,” Wayne said after the rescue. “People might say my jump was a little risky, but it brings attention to the clinic.”