Above: Photo by Brian Sheehan.
Skydivers at Skydive Tecumseh in Jackson, Michigan turned the annual Family Day event on August 9 into a historic occasion when a group of 12 women set the Michigan female large-formation record.
Ehrin Huhn, who organized the attempt, said inspiration for the record attempt dated back to 2022, when longtime jumper and mentor Brian Sheehan suggested that the high number of women at the drop zone could lead to something memorable. “Look at this. We could do something with this,” Sheehan told her. The group attempted a state record that day but was unsuccessful.
Three years later, during the 2025 Family Day gathering—a day for family members to come and see the drop zone in action and get a feel for why people jump out of perfectly good airplanes—a similar scene unfolded. With more than 10 women present, organizers decided to try again. Every woman invited to participate eagerly joined, and the group set its sights on building a 12-way formation. The jump brought together skydivers with a wide range of experience, from fewer than 100 jumps to more than 1,000.
After a dirt dive and gear-up, the group boarded the aircraft. The pilot, invested in the women’s success, gave them as much altitude as he could. Their exit was solid, and the women built the formation by 9,000 feet, with all 12 women in their assigned slots.
Video footage confirmed the successful build, and USPA recognized the jump as an official state record.
While the accomplishment may seem modest compared to larger records, for those on the jump it was a meaningful milestone. For many, it was their first official record. The achievement also highlighted the impact of mentorship and community at the drop zone. The jump was about more than just the record; it was about encouraging each other, creating opportunities and celebrating success together.
Ehrin Huhn C-51796
Saint Johns, Michigan