02/19/12
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A rainy Sunday evening with nothing to do but surf the web a bit. I come across this site and low and behold some old names which come into view from the mid 60's.
I started jumping in 63 (2weeks after my 16th birthday) at Timmonsville S.C. home of Cale Yarborough. Jumped with Cale's brother Jerry Yarborough. It was unbelievable of some of the substandard equipment we used. My first rig didn't have a chest strap so my instructor used a couple feet of 550 line to secure me in. Typical B-4 harness with Air Force 28 foot canopies (C-9's or C-11's I think). We were in tall cotton when the PC's came out. Those memories are forever etched in my brain. Some notable fellows during that time were Jack Lupo, Jerry Strewn, Mike Hill, Johnny Matthews, Harold Lyles, Fred Cole. I was very impressionable, young and prior to being 16 , the legal age for jumping at the time, my favorite program was ripcord, and favorite personality was Jim Arender D-13. He was a cool guy who just had become the world champion skydiver, and was making the camel cigarette commercials. Obviously, that got me going on Camels at this time. I still have a framed copy of our correspondence letter with a photo of the commercial he was in. it is hung on my aviation museum wall in my Man-Cave pool room, in my home.
Shortly thereafter we moved to Sumter S.C. for a few years at that D.Z. During the next few years before my college days in Georgia, we jumped in multiple areas such as Dovesville, Orangeburg, Monks corner, Barnwell, Anderson, Bishopville, Santee (water jumps), all in S.C. Other notables I was lucky to have acquaintances with, were.... Woody Binnicker, Woody MacKay, Bobby Frierson (barnwell). Frierson, Binnicker and myself unfortunately served as pall bearers at my closest friend and neighbors funeral, Tommy Newman. He burned in at Bragg in the early 70's. Great loss.
Mid 60's I went to college in Georgia, and as all of us did, move from D.Z. to D.Z. in accordance with anyone that would allow you to jump at their location. Great exposure to lots of locations, and great, very high strung people to jump with. First stop was Cartersville. A few other places were, Jefferson, Montezuma, Tift college (exhibition jump), Mcdonough (night jumps), Villa Rica, Carrolton, locust grove, lake Sinclair, This was also during the time of "para-streaking". I didn't do any of this as I would have been ashamed of my display. Really cool people at the time, just to mention a few....Pat and Rick Valley, Vic Jones, Collis Griffin, The guys at Southern Tech, etc.
I jumped for about 18 years and then went for another love I always wanted to do and that was to fly. I got into ultra lite flying for a few years, and then gravitated toward experimental aircraft, which I still am involved with. Unfortunately, I can't do them all. I will fly to skydive the farm, or skydive Atlanta, and stay for a few hours to let my blood boil, and then regretfully take off and go back to home base.
This seems to be a great site for some of us old farts. I enjoy seeing some old guys mentioned here.
Keep it going.
Bill Malpass USPA, D-3870
02/13/12
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My bio:
In the early 70's I encountered the passion that would be my life for the next 25 years - Even though skydiving began as a hobby, it quickly became a way of life.
I amassed all of the ratings and licenses awarded by the United States Parachute Association. Licenses held include A-3303, B-9087, C-8363 and D-4067. Ratings achieved were static line Jumpmaster, Instructor and Instructor/Examiner.
By the mid 80's, the ratings were evolving as well as the business. The tandem parachute was introduced, and always one to embrace change, I was soon trained as a Tandem Master and owned the first tandem parachute in the area. A couple of years later, the accelerated free fall program premiered. Seeing this as the ultimate training tool, I soon obtained the accelerated freefall Jumpmaster, Instructor and Instructor /Examiner ratings
I also holds Federal Aviation Administration Licenses for: Pilot-single and multi-engine land, Airframe & Power plant Mechanic, Master Parachute Rigger, and have been a designated Parachute Rigger Examiner.
With the ratings, license, and love of the sport, I spent untold hours flying, maintaining/rebuilding aircraft and training students. I owned and operated skydiving businesses in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas over a 20 year period. My final few years in the business were dedicated entirely to tandem instruction, where I could share my sport with others who may only experience the thrill once in a lifetime.
I retired in 1997 after an automobile accident left me unable to continue tandem skydiving. my interest now include travel, computers and my my love for Pitbulls.
I would love to hear from all who remember me.
409-673-5469
02/12/12
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fist jumpin was 1967 inTampere
01/24/12
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How many of you old timers are still around and how many of you would like to do it one more time? Give me a holler. Wes D-87
12/21/11
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How great a site this. As all older jumpers know so well, the adventure never leaves us and still remember as if it was yesterday. Started skydiving in Dickinson with Doc Anagnostis, Dave Boatman, Jack Joerns, Susie Joerns, Carlos Wallace, Martha Huddleston, George Sage, Bob Williamson, Bottrells, Daryl Galloway, Harvey Stewart, Lee Umsheid, Clyde Wallace and others.
San Marcos with Mike Mullen, Carl Best, Don Lofton and Moe Sinclair and others.
Then in the Army with the Ft Sam Houston Skydiving Team was Jerry Seel, Mike Cerasoli, Rusty Rees, Frank Rodriquez, David Drake.
At Ft Hood was Claude Pepin, Tom Boravicka, Ken Rolen, Bill Beach, Gary Franciosi, Gene Ritchie and others.
Then the Golden Knights for a short time due to a knee injury and later blew it out completely at Clear Springs Texas. Doing stand ups with Crossbows and PCs is tough. Still remember how great some of them were such as Charlie Harris, Leo Kryske Joe Gonzales, Chuck "Flea" Aguilar, Bob McDermott, Gene Thacker, Al Solis. Got to fly to Zephyr Hills on General Conway's plane which was a thrill for a young trooper. Also the fun at the Wolverine Bar where I witnessed my first streak and will keep the Knights name a secret.
Not sure if this qualifies as a pioneer, but had the chance to be friends with and jump with many great early skydivers.
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