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.

Beau Riebe swoops the pond during the open freestyle canopy piloting test event at the USPA Nationals.

At the USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP in Raeford, North Carolina, camera flyer Chad Ross of Polaris shoots his teammates, Matthew Fry and Katie Hansen, on their way to taking gold in artistic freefly.

USPA takes every opportunity to support military skydivers as they serve our country and as they face struggles while entering civilian life after service. Our military counterparts in airborne operations train endlessly, and during their service, many of the paratroopers work with military instructors who are also USPA Instructors to earn there USPA A licenses. However, their training is subject to the conditions and equipment available at the time the training takes place.

The USPA Competition Department is looking for qualified individuals to fill the available leadership positions at the upcoming 2020 FAI World Championships at DZ Tanay in Siberia, Russia.

As of October 3, 2019, six USPA members will appear on the ballot in the upcoming special election to fill the remainder of the Central Regional Director’s term on the USPA Board of Directors.

From July 26-August 4, the skies over Ottawa, Illinois, blossomed with canopies during Skydive Chicago’s much-anticipated megaboogie, Summerfest. More than 800 jumpers from all corners of the world came to the drop zone resort to get on one of the nearly 700 loads during the nine-day boogie.

The name of this year’s giant boogie at Skydive Orange in Virginia—the Apocalyptic Big O Boogie—could not have been more fitting.

The 8th Fédération Aéronautique Internationale European Canopy Formation Championships and 10th FAI World Cup of Canopy Formation took place from August 15-21 at the Romanian Airclub located in the southern part of the country in the town of Strejnic Ploiești.

Skysurfing has experienced a comeback in recent years, and fortunately, the drop zones of the world are helping to keep our skies safe by not blindly allowing just anyone to grab a board and attempt it. Most DZs insist that new skysurfers receive proper guidance from those with experience … and for good reason.

So, late in the fall of 2014, you watched Alan Eustace get tugged 25 miles into the stratosphere by a balloon that for all the world looked like a big, white map pin.

Arturo Espinosa celebrates his 300th jump and 43rd birthday by making a hybrid with Manrique Ramirez Sabat and Bernardo Jimenez Vega at Skydive Pura Vida.

From left, Bryce Schunke, Travis Mickle, Gilles Gueveneux and Dylan Mitchell enjoy a wingsuit skydive at the Flock ‘til You Drop event at Sky’s the Limit in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

Brought to you by three-time British Freefly Champion Joel Strickland. Strickland is a full-time freefly coach and tunnel-flying professional and a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Artistic Events Judge. Jumpers can read more of his writing or contact him for tunnel camps in Europe at joelstrickland.net.