Artist Paul Bond is a skydiver and commercial artist in Des Plaines, IL.  He first envisioned this 12-way "planet" after seeing films on TV of the first 50-way at Elsinore, CA.  Bond has spent much free time since then drafting, sketching and painting this artwork, an appropriate symbol of skydiving in the decade to come.  He feels this dive "is the next logical step in freefall formations," and adds "I hope people have fun trying to figure out how to do this one in freefall."  For related story see page 19.

Braving a sub-zero wind-chill factor, Eastern Conference Director Dave Waight gets his "knees in the breeze"  over Maytown, PA.

Vic Logan in a head-down dive over Elsinore, CA.  Photo by Paul Grimshaw of Santa Barbara, CA.

Gary Young of Tustin, CA unintenionally demonstrates the importance of a pre-flight pin-check during a 16-way exit over Elsinore, CA.  Fortunately nothing was injured except his pride.  Photo by Norman A. Kent.

All ten members of Mirror Image "pose" for a group portrait over Tecumseh, MI while training for the World Championships in Chateauroux, France.  "The Mirror" went on to burn a 5.16 second ten-way star while in France setting a new world record in the event.

Mike Mount captured this split-second of Visions' ten-way exit at The Nationals.  With eight jumpers out the door this quickly, it's no wonder Visions went on to win the Gold in ten-way.

Presented for the first time at this year's National Championships in Richmond, IN was this newest of USPA perpetual trophies—the Eight-Way Team Championship Award.  Design and Production, Inc.—craftsmen associated with the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC created this trophy, an octagonal block of anodized aluminum and lucite standing on a mahogany base banded with removable silver plates on which the names of the members of the winning teams will be engraved each year.  28 inches high, it is the largest trophy in USPA's collection and is valued at more than $2,400.  It is on permanent display at USPA headquarters in Washington, DC.

Jim Lucas of Williamsport, MD flies some unusual Canopy RW at the Southern Cross drop zone in Downsville, MD.  Jim's "extra" canopy belongs to Jose Rodriguez of Crofton, MD  who intetionally cutaway after forming a biplane canopy hookup with Jim.  Playing it smart and safe, Jose wore an extra reserve for this jump.

P.S. That's Russian for "Sport Parachuting."  The full report begins on page 27.

Carl Boenish caught this 20-way formation during a break in the weather at the Deland Invitational Meet.  For more on the meet turn to page 46.

Carl Boenish shot this cut-away main over Elsinore, CA.  The jumper under reserve is Jim Handbury.

Kathy O'Brien swooping over Longmont, CO.  Photo by Alf Humphries.

A six plane canopy formation cruises through northern California skies above Lake Berryessa.  From top to bottom are Bob Bonitz, Dan O'Brien, Richard KJar, Tim Davies, Bill Dause and Norton Thomas.  Shortly after Andy Keech took this photo, Bungee Walrus and Ray Ferrell entered, making it the largest plane formation ever constructed.  Cindy Frueh's article on canopy relative work begins on page 25.

Bill Sutton photographed these jumpers doing a small load over Pelicanland, MD.  For a fresh look at "small stuff", see "Quality vs. Quantity" by Roger Hull on page 19.

Defending national para-ski champion Nick Kingery stomps the disc during last year's meet at Sun Valley, ID.  Kingery needed two dead centers to earn a razor-thin victory (1 point out of over 4000) against European professionals and more than 50 other American competitors.  The third annual U.S. National Para-Ski Championships is scheduled April 3-5, 1979, again at Sun Valley.  Photo by "Brother" Jack Sorenson.

The weekend of January 15th was chosen, with six jumps scheduled, three for Saturday and three for Sunday.

This month's jam-packed issue features a psychedelic cover designed by Carolyn Gruber, USPA's Office Manager.

A "Gold Wings Star" shot by Carl Boenish over Elsinore, Calif. In the picture are Gold Wingers Jerry Rouillard, Joe Faulk, Mike Corah, Bill Edwards, Jay Gifford, Mike Milts and "Skratch" Garrison.

Have you ever had a dream come true?  I have!  Read on and I'll tell you how we came about getting our first eight-man star.

Canada's first 5-man star shot by Ron Dionne (Canada D-58) over the Abbotsford, B.C. DZ.  Clockwise from far left:  Bill Hardman, Kurt Jensen, Gerry Harper, Doug Corrigan, John McGoldrick. Kay Hardman to the far right.

'69 Nationals Official Photographer, Chip Maury, catches this unusual silhouette of Paul Henley at sunrise.