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POPS: Flourishing in Florida
By Tim Webb
More than 75 members of the Parachutists Over Phorty Society from all over the U.S., as well as from Canada and Argentina, gathered at Skydive DeLand in Florida March 2-5 to attempt to break the state POPS freefall formation record of 54. Skydive DeLand hosted the previous two Florida POPS records, as well—the 54-way in March 2005 and a 43-way in February 2002. The group succeeded again this year, completing a 63-way on the seventh attempt of the weekend.
The event started Thursday with practive dives, which went well. A 44-way attempt went up on the sunset load, and although it didn’t complete, it showed that the basic dive design would work. Everyone just needed to settle down and fly their slots.
The group went up for two more 44-ways Friday morning before organizers sent up a 60-way attempt. Saturday morning, a 72-way group took off using four aircraft. The base 8-way launched perfectly out of the Skyvan, as it did all weekend, but some problems with a couple of the 4-way lines kept the formation from completing.
Three more attempts flew that day, all in the low 70s or upper 60s. Sunday morning, organizers made some personnel changes, and the group went up for a 70-way attempt. Again, no success, more changes and another 70-way attempt. Still no luck. Some jumpers had to leave, but enough remained for a 63-way attempt out of three planes. The group completed a 63-way on the next jump.
For this group of POPS jumpers, breaking the record two years in a row marks a big accomplishment, especially with many of the same jumpers returning each year. And the best part is that the event continues to stay safe so that everyone can enjoy the success and come back next time.
Participants |
Cliff Alfiche
Kathy Allen
Roger Allen
Dan Baseheart
Burl Baxter
Betty Bennett
Dennis Brooks
Richard Calledare
Lee Carpenter
Antonio Chemmes
Jim Clarke
Ron Clayton
Harry Collins
Mark Curto
Carl Daugherty
Tom DeCorsey
Kim Dobson
Robert Domeier
Larry Elmore
J.J. Fermanis
Kathy Frierson
Glenn Giamatti
Tiiu Haamer
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Bob Hallett
Bill Hector
Sky Huminsky
Lee Hunnicutt
Mike Johnston
John Kallend
Kevin Keenan
Cheryl Kenlin
Nancy LaRiviere
Rob Lowe
Mike Luttrell
Dale Maddox
Alan Mastin
Sarah McCarthy
Mike McGuire
Woody McKay
Harry Moore
Larry Moore
Jim Mowrey
Dale Muehring
Mike Nestor
Charlie Newkirk
Steve Noonan
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Carey Peck
Ray Pope
Robert Pope
Tom Reiman
Ted Rose
Dan Rosenthal
Eileen Rossi
Jane Seibert
Andy Sherwin
Craig Stevens
Johnny Swales
Rusty Trapp
Tim Webb
Rich Westbury
Terry Willingham
Bob Worley
Donna Wright
Camera Flyers
Norman Kent
Van Wideman
John Young
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