I took my first-jump course in Iowa in 1983. But those were college days, which meant no time or money, so my jumping didn't really take off until the summer of 1986. It was because of skydiving that I met Tim. Tim took his first-jump course in 1987, and we started jumping together.

I certainly hope to see Chas Hines' articles continue, and I encourage every licensed skydiver out there to go take a flying lesson or two, if for no other reason than to appreciate the workload a jump pilot has to endure.

We've learned through the years that repeated exposure to high altitudes without supplemental oxygen is dangerous and harmful to humans.

In March, Johannes Bergfors, a videographer and wind tunnel instructor from Sweden, launched a series of videos titled “First Perspective” on the skydiving YouTube channel Fallrates.

Jumpers of all levels are invited to the Lookin' to Build event at Skydive Spaceland-Houston.

The weekend of June 1-3, the drop zone hosted the first New England CF Introductory Camp.

This past May, USPA held its third annual Learn to Skydive Month.

The skydiving community and Rotarians really came through for the world’s children.

What do skydiving, poker and tequila have in common? It’s Skydive Elsinore’s Poker Run!

Everyone enjoys a good speedstar competition, and Spaceland’s fifth annual Transitions event on June 2 was a great example!

May 25-28, past and current members of 4-way formation skydiving team Arizona Airspeed organized the Arizona Challenge, an event at which participants attempt complex and unusual large-formation skydives.

On June 17—Father’s Day—expecting parents Jared Jorgenson and Julie Girard announced the gender of their baby during a jump at Skydive Kapowsin in Shelton, Washington.

The Maytown Sport Parachute Club in Marietta, Pennsylvania, held its annual Fun Meet June 16. The competition included three rounds of accuracy landing in two classes, one round of 4-way speed formation skydiving scrambles and, for the first time, a blindfolded packing competition, which was very entertaining to watch.

This year’s USPA National Skydiving Championships at Chicagoland Skydiving Center in Rochelle, Illinois, September 4-18 will feature changes to the vertical formation skydiving and wingsuit flying disciplines. USPA is adding an intermediate VFS test event and replacing the intermediate performance wingsuit flying class with an advanced class.

On Saturday, July 14, the U.S. Parachute Association became the official Host Country Affiliate of the International Skydiving Museum and Hall of Fame

The USPA Board also selected three recipients for its Gold Medal for Meritorious Service, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the skydiving community. All of the esteemed recipients will receive their awards at dates and locations to be determined.

The USPA Board of Directors held its final meeting of the three-year term July 13-15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Read more to see the meeting highlights.