Seven teams consisting of 31 competitors braved the 100-degree Texas heat on August 10 to participate in the 2019 Annual Dallas Super Cup hosted by Skydive Spaceland–Dallas in Whitewright, Texas.

On September 14 at Kapowsin Air Sports’ Fun Jumper Weekend in Shelton, Washington, Northwest Regional Director Luke Aikins presented John Mitchell, D-6462, with the USPA Regional Achievement Award for the Northwest Region.

Jeffery Kuhn says goodbye to pilot and DZO Mike Mullins as he drops from an inverted biplane at West Tennessee Skydiving in Whiteville.

Simon Whittle skysurfs above the World Islands at Skydive Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

John Dobleman, affectionately known as “Mad John” or “M.J.” in skydiving circles, received his USPA Regional Achievement Award for the Pacific Region from DZO Shaun Fenner at Bay Area Skydiving in Byron, California, on September 2.

Jumpers honor longtime formation skydiver and rigger Jim Tafralian, who died in an August plane crash, by building a “JT” in the air at Midwest Freefall Sport Parachute Club in Ray, Michigan.

On August 24, Circle W Restorations hosted the second annual Operation Wings & Wheels event at the Circle W Airfield north of East Berlin, Pennsylvania.

USPA Foreign Affiliate Skydive Empuriabrava in Spain hosted Flock Yeah!, a skills camp for highly experienced canopy pilots, September 18-20.

Six USPA members who reside in the Central Region are on the ballot for the special election to fill the vacancy on the USPA Board of Directors created by the passing of Central Regional Director Gary Peek in August.

• In “Golden Knight Matt Davidson Retires from U.S. Army” on Page 18 of the October issue, Davidson’s rank when he retired was sergeant first class

David Waight, D-3070, died at his home in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, on August 1. He was 77.

Carl Chittim of Aerial Extreme Skydiving Team leads the way into Levi’s Stadium for the San Francisco 49ers’ first home game of the season. 

Like so many jumpers of his generation, Adam Buckner—at the time a freestyle BMX rider—started skydiving in 1991 after seeing the movie “Point Break.”

Ed Scott’s “Gearing Up” editorial (September Parachutist) was welcome and cogent. But I would add that many jumpers would like to see more vigilance from pilots to ensure that everyone has their seatbelts secure for takeoff.

“Falling Angels”
Acrylic on canvas

Bobbi Faulkner | B-45202
Cary, North Carolina

sheskydives.com

Photo by David Wybenga | D-31862

Prior to the start of the USPA National Championships at Skydive Paraclete XP in Raeford, North Carolina, members of SDC Rhythm XP (Douglas Barron, Andrew Happick, JaNette Lefkowitz and Steve Lefkowitz) practice for the open 4-way formation skydiving event, where they took the gold medal.

Over the past 10 years, in her quiet and unassuming way, Director of Sport Promotion Nancy Koreen has done more for USPA and the sport than most will ever know.