Tracy Barrett, the author of many books for young readers, recently turned her attention to skydiving by penning the novel “Freefall Summer.”

Canopy manufacturer Fluid Wings recently released the Gangster, a nine-cell, partially cross-braced wing with a tri-taper leading edge and mini-ribs at the trailing edge.

When USPA receives a complaint about an individual member or a Group Member drop zone violating rules or acting in an unsafe manner, the USPA Board of Directors’ Compliance Group investigates the allegations using a specific process that the USPA Governance Manual outlines.

Jason Gonzalez and Viviana De Jesus of Xtreme Divers West in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, hosted the 16th Puerto Rico Freefall Festival February 7-11, an event many thought impossible after the island suffered a direct blow from Hurricane Maria last year.

On February 17, Skydive Arizona in Eloy hosted a mixed formation skydiving scrambles meet, which paired participants with a new partner in each of the five rounds.

On February 3 at Skydive Arizona in Eloy, 18 jumpers set two Skydivers Over Sixty state records, one of which also qualified as a Parachutists Over Phorty Society record.

On January 30 at Skydive DeLand in Florida, the two questions on the minds of the team of 48 international skydivers were, “What does it mean and why are we doing this?”

The USPA Membership Services Committee is currently seeking nominations for three of its service awards: the Lifetime Achievement Award (a maximum of one recipient annually), the Gold Medal for Meritorious Service (up to three recipients annually) and the Regional Achievement Award (up to five recipients annually).

Photo by Laszlo Andacs | D-22468

Clancy Ewald, camera pool photographer at the USPA National Collegiate Parachuting Championships at Skydive Lake Wales, flies to the landing area after a round of competition.

Photo by Brian Festi | D-26788

At Skydive DeLand in Florida, jumpers practice a sector of a formation they will build for a television program celebrating Chinese New Year.

Photo by Raymond Adams | D-30158

Jumpers exit during the Sebastian Vertical Elite Camp at Skydive Sebastian in Florida.

Norwood Thomas, a World War II veteran who jumped into Normandy, France, on D-Day with the 101st Airborne Division, makes a tandem skydive with instructor Alberto Macias at Skydive Suffolk in Virginia.

I have found that shedding my ego is easier now that I have become a skydiver. There is so much fear in this sport, especially at first. The cool thing about this is that every time I jump, I train my mind to compartmentalize fear. 

Raymond Adams, D-30158, is a talented vertical formation skydiver and camera flyer who started jumping in 1993. Adams can often be found at boogies and record events, participating both as an inside flyer and outside cameraman. His photos have graced numerous Parachutist covers and centerfolds. Despite his accomplishments, his friends describe him as “humble,” as well as “someone you can count on” and “an asset to skydiving.”  

“Kiss Pass”  
Oil on Canvas

Matthew Files | B-42132
South Weymouth, Massachusetts 

Photo by Michael Tomaselli | D-18530

Mike Lewis pilots a canopy formation during the Freeze Your Buns Off Boogie at Skydive Lake Wales in Florida.

Larry K. Bagley, D-4522, passed away on March 27 after a brief illness. He leaves behind his wife Cindi, D-10889. "Bags," as he was known, left a legacy in skydiving that few have ever matched or ever will. Arrangements are pending.

The USPA Board of Directors met in San Antonio, Texas, March 2-4 for its winter board meeting.

“Thumbs Up—Skydive Kentucky” 
Charcoal drawing
Drawing of Jeff McGrady during Leap of Faith Jump Day at Skydive Kentucky in Elizabethtown.

Willard Gahart