Skydiving (w/ Parachutes)/Expert Profile

Expertise

Nearly anything pertaining to safety , and technique. 1100 jumps experience and some extreme altitude jumps.

Experience in the area

I was an active skydiver for over 24 years, participated in competitive meets, and in relative work meets quite a lot. Also I could be found at a drop zone nearly any weekend. I have made numerous intentional water landings, several night freefalls, and have participated in numerous large formation attempts.

What do you like about this subject?

Skydiving is the most 'personal' sport I've ever been involved in. There are challenges to be found that exist in no other human experience. The thrill of freefall, the view, the rushing air as you fall through it. And the camaraderie of the 'brotherhood' of other jumpers. A very compelling experience, and a life experience that I wouldn't trade

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I have retired from sport parachuting. By following the rules and keeping safety uppermost in my mind I came through some 1100 jumps with never a serious injury, I have a lot of stories to tell.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Most non-jumpers don't realize that modern parachutes have a built in ability to 'fly'. That is , they have a forward speed that can be used to combat the effect of the wind. Frequently, the parachutist can actually penetraate a light wind to reach his target area.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Many people think 'you gotta be crazy to want to jump out of an airplane'. Not really, venturesome, yes, but it is a sport that draws many different kinds of people from all walks of life. Nobody involved has a death wish, or is suicidal. We just do something more exciting than golf !