Ed Ganley started skydiving in 1976 under a modified T-10 round canopy, and 48 years later is still making it happen in Ohio. He is a mentor to many at AerOhio Skydiving Center, with a wealth of knowledge gained over decades of competing at USPA Nationals, his time spent as DZO of Pittsburgh Skydiving Center and participating in the 1992 formation skydiving world-record 200-way. His peers admire him for his humble nature and genuine care for all skydivers, newbie or expert.
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“Ed is the definition of what a skydiver is and should be. Throughout his skydiving career he has competed, been on records, organized, and given back to the community; all done with a smile on his face and an amazing attitude.” —Doug Barron, Parachutist profilee #251
Age: 65
Height: 5’8”
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Marital Status: Married
Children: One
Occupation: Tax Accountant
Hobbies: Skydiving, hiking and CrossFit classes.
Favorite Food: At the moment, all things chocolate.
Life Philosophy: Work hard, play hard. Be kind and give back along the way.
Jump Philosophy: Always bring your A-game.
Sponsors: Altimaster, Performance Designs and Sun Path Products
Container: Sun Path Javelin
Main Canopy: PD Sabre3 120
Reserve Canopy: PD Reserve 126
AAD: Airtec Cypres
Home Drop Zone: AerOhio in Ashland
First Jump: August 27, 1976
Team Names: In 2024, Raiders for 8-way and Aerodynamic for 4-way.
Total Jumps: 5,000-plus
FS: 4,750
CF: 40
Demos: 70
Mr. Bill: 2
Largest completed formation: 200-way in 1992
I skydive because …
I love the whole package skydiving delivers. Engineering the dive, the anticipation during the plane ride, the focus on exit, flying the wind, the parachute ride, the views, the swoop landings and of course the amazing people I get to share this all with. It never disappoints!
Is there one jump that stands out the most?
The 2018 jump-off round for bronze medal in the 4-way FS intermediate class. Very intense, very clean skydive. The jump went so well that when we landed the five of us didn’t care if we won or not … but we did win that round and the bronze medal along with it. I loved that skydive!
You’re almost to 50 years of skydiving. How has the ride been?
I have seen extraordinary changes. I am very happy with where the sport is today. With the changes in equipment and training, it seems like a completely different sport. I feel like I experienced the golden age of boogies in the 1980s, the golden age of equipment and training development in the 1990s, and nowadays the addition and refinement of the various styles of flying.
How long do you plan on skydiving?
As long as I am healthy and fit enough to safely jump and perform at a reasonably high level … hopefully a few more years.
What do you like most about the sport?
The people and the community we create together.
Who has been your skydiving mentor?
Bob Gates (DZO of Cleveland Parachute Center circa 1980s-’90s) taught me how to safely skydive and encouraged me to attend boogies that opened up a whole new world, for which I am grateful.
What safety item do you think is most often neglected?
All safety items are important, but lack of awareness under canopy stands out at the moment. Many jumpers just don’t realize how much they don’t see when flying around up there. I think USPA and others are doing a fantastic job of reducing these risks.
If you could do a fantasy 2-way with anyone, whom would it be with and where would it take place?
My dad. He loved that I skydived, but he never had the chance to go himself. In the skies over Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, a place we visited often when I was growing up.
Most embarrassing moment at a drop zone:
My tree landing in the mid-1980s: After an AFF dive, we built a 2-stack we intended to land, but the winds were high and a little turbulent. So we broke it off at 200 feet or so in a very tight landing area, and as we did my end cell caught a tree branch, instantly turning and then collapsing my parachute. I was fortunate that I crashed into the trunk of the tree and then down onto a different, much larger branch that stopped me from freefalling to the ground 100 feet below. I was stuck in that tree for a couple of hours until the fire department could get me down. A lot of bad decisions were made on that dive.
Best skydiving moment?
Every time my parachute opens.
What was it like being a member of the 1992 world record 200-way?
It was an honor to be invited on the team and a validation of my efforts to skydive at a high level. While the visuals on exit (six-plane formation) were amazing, the visuals under canopy were even more so with 200 vibrantly colored parachutes flying over the ocean as we landed on the beach … truly amazing! And, of course, it was incredible to be part of a team that set a world record that stood for 10 years.
Worst skydiving moment?
When I was a DZO, we had a jumper caught on the step of a Cessna 182. The event took about 30 minutes to resolve with the plane landing on a grass strip with the skydiver attached. Fortunately, a couple of brush burns were the only injuries. Those 30 minutes while we were burning off fuel and making contingency plans felt like an eternity.
Any suggestions for students?
Try different disciplines enough so that you become a well-rounded skydiver. And at some point, even if you are not a competitor at heart, pick one discipline and compete in it. You will be amazed as your skill level skyrockets and the quality of your dives will go through the roof, all the while increasing the fun you have.
Suggestions for USPA:
USPA is of paramount importance to our sport. They do excellent work with airport access, training, and safety. The numbers prove this. The influence USPA will have on the new Aviation Rulemaking Committee will be invaluable to our sport. To the directors and staff of USPA, I thank you and please keep doing what you do.
What is your perfect day like?
Sunshine, 12 mph winds, skydiving with 20 friends over some exotic resort island.
What is your most significant life achievement?
Far and away, being a parent.
Explain Ed Ganley in five words or fewer:
Thoughtful, trustworthy, energetic, fun, kind.