On the Cover: Photographer Jens Hameister captured this shot of Team Extreme’s Nick Batsch (left) and Jim Slaton performing at the Al Ain Airshow in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Capital Commentary
by Chris Needels, USPA Executive Director

The other day, we were trying to figure out how long USPA has been running national championships. Someone said the 2007 Nationals at Skydive Chicago in September will be number 50 because, according to a 1957 Parachutist article, the first intercollegiate championships were held that year. Someone else said that according to USPA Board of Directors’ minutes, they began in 1962. Still another claimed they really began much earlier since there had been tryout meets to select U.S. Team delegations for world championships, which included the 1956 U.S. Team captained by Jacques Istel (I-1, D-2). Whatever year this is for our premier event (and we’re still researching), we are obviously doing something right—the U.S. National Skydiving Championships have stood the test of time . . .

MORE.

Getting to Know Your Rig—Part VI
by Dean M. Schlemmer

If you’ve got an RSL (reserve static-line lanyard) or are thinking about getting one, you should know how it works and what it ought to look like. This month’s installment takes an in-depth look at the device and fills you in on all the details.

Into the Record Books
by Larry Bagley

Photo by Iwan van der Schoor

State records don’t abound quite as much as the average jumper may think. Although many unofficial ones fill the rumor mill, most have yet to be recognized by USPA and put into the record books. Getting a record certified—whether it was last week or 10 years ago—isn’t as hard as you might think. Find out how.

Pairing Up
A Parachutist Pictorial

Photo by Stacey Carl

USPA Adds Friend Number 1,000 on MySpace
USPA reached a virtual milestone in March, adding Skydive Atlanta jumper Corey Futrell, B-28276, as its 1000 th MySpace friend on the popular networking website. To find out more about Futrell or any of USPA’s 999 (and growing) other friends, visit www.myspace.com/_uspa.

Strong Issues Service Bulletin
Strong Enterprises in Orlando, Florida, has released a service bulletin regarding the company’s Quasar II, Quasar II Trainer and Military Quasar II harness and container systems. A few containers have experienced restricted pilot chute deployments of the reserve system during activation on the ground. No reported deployment problems have occurred on an actual skydive. Strong requests each rig be returned to the factory for updates before its next jump. There is no charge for the work, which includes reserve container flap modifications and a new reserve pilot chute. The service bulletin and contact information are available on the company’s website, www.strongparachutes.com.

Mozambique Boogie Planned
“Another vision of the exotic boogie” is how Belgian Ronnie Limborg and Patrick Passe of France are marketing their third running of the Mozambique Beaches Boogie. Cost from Europe is around $3,000, and details are available at www.skydivediscovery.com.

Skydiving Around the World
Roberto Luiz de Souza, a 37-year-old Brazilian father of two, decided he could no longer sit around and wait for his dream to come true, so he’s taking two years off his everyday life and traveling the world from drop zone to drop zone. Jumpers can follow his extensive travels on his website, www.skyaw.com.br.

Sport Accuracy Event Relocates
The Carol Allaman Alexander Memorial Sport Accuracy Competition planned for the recently canceled World Freefall Convention has been moved to the Mid-America Sport Parachute Club in Taylorville, Illinois July 21. Interested jumpers may e-mail Steinkamp at jeff.steinkamp@sbcglobal.net or the drop zone at maspc1@yahoo.com.

Airdrop Assist Furthers Training
Airdrop Assist, or AiA, recently completed its third training course for volunteers who want to go into remote areas via airdrop and provide humanitarian aid. More information about Airdrop Assist, RAM Airborne requirements and upcoming classes can be found at www.airdropassist.org.

Amplification
In “Rumbleseat, 40 Years Later” (Parachutist, April), pictures on page 47, from center top to bottom, include instructor Carlos Wallace hand-deploying his reserve and student O. Collins receiving a gear check from Wallace. 

Dominican Republic Welcomes Jumpers
Exotic Sky Adventures hosted a tropical boogie in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic, February 15-March 3. More information on the company’s events appears at www.exoticskyadventures.com.