Beyond the Drop Zone
Top News
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Photos by Lucas Nickolich.
When a group of local elementary school students visited Skydive DeLand in Florida for a field trip on May 8, the goal wasn’t to spark a new generation of skydivers—it was to build a bridge between a thriving drop zone and the community it calls home. The result was a day that left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
For many of the students, it was their first time visiting an airport, let alone a drop zone. As they watched canopies open above them and parachutes glide in for landing, they weren’t just wide-eyed with wonder, they were engaged, curious and full of questions. And that curiosity opened the door to deeper conversations—not just about skydiving, but about the practical application of science concepts, unique career paths, teamwork and what it means to pursue a passion.
"Skydivers are great people—we all know that. This story is a shining example of how drop zones can step up and become true partners in their local communities. There are countless STEM lessons embedded in skydiving and aviation, and opportunities like this field trip make those lessons come alive for young minds. When we help educate our children and show them what’s possible, we’re not just giving back—we’re planting seeds for the future of our sport." ~ USPA Executive Director Albert Berchtold
The team at Skydive DeLand didn’t treat the day as a one-off event; they treated it as an opportunity to connect. Staff members took time to explain how different roles at the DZ work together, from pilots and packers to instructors and manifest. The kids saw firsthand that a drop zone is more than just jumpers—it’s a local hub of skilled professionals and supportive teamwork.
Then came the surprise moment of the day: the drop zone invited one of the school’s teachers—Jennifer Bliss—to make a tandem jump! As her students gathered by the landing area and cheered her on, something shifted. The abstract idea of skydiving became tangible. Personal. Real. When she landed safely and the students ran toward her with excitement, the connection was complete. The DZ wasn’t just a place where people jump out of planes—it was now part of their story.
In communities like DeLand, skydiving is more than a sport—it’s a local industry, an economic contributor and a source of pride. And when DZs open their doors to the people around them, they help break down barriers and show that what happens on the drop zone belongs to more than just those in the air.
"There is a moment, just before the leap, when the mind wrestles with gravity--not just the force that binds us to the earth, but the gravity of fear, of uncertainty, of letting go. Skydiving isn't just a fall through the sky; it is a surrender. In that instant of freefall, when the ground rushes up to meet you and there is nothing to hold onto but faith, you begin to understand the profound beauty of releasing control." ~ Jennifer Bliss
This kind of outreach doesn’t require elaborate programming or polished presentations. It starts with a simple invitation. A willingness to share the space, the stories and the passion that fuels our sport. When drop zones connect with their local schools businesses, and neighborhoods, they create something bigger than canopies flying in the sky; they create understanding, curiosity and mutual respect.
Skydive DeLand’s field trip is a reminder that one of the most meaningful ways to elevate our sport is to bring it down to earth. And this can happen when we choose to land in our communities and invite them to join us.
Sharon Har-Noy Pilcher D-33082
DeLand, Florida
Remembering Bob Hallett
When a group of local elementary school students visited Skydive DeLand in Florida for a field trip on May 8, the goal wasn’t to spark a new generation of skydivers—it was to build a bridge between a thriving drop zone and the community it calls home. The result was a day that left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
For many of the students, it was their first time visiting an airport, let alone a drop zone. As they watched canopies open above them and parachutes glide in for landing, they weren’t just wide-eyed with wonder, they were engaged, curious and full of questions. And that curiosity opened the door to deeper conversations—not just about skydiving, but about the practical application of science concepts, unique career paths, teamwork and what it means to pursue a passion.
The team at Skydive DeLand didn’t treat the day as a one-off event; they treated it as an opportunity to connect. Staff members took time to explain how different roles at the DZ work together, from pilots and packers to instructors and manifest. The kids saw firsthand that a drop zone is more than just jumpers—it’s a local hub of skilled professionals and supportive teamwork.
Then came the surprise moment of the day: the drop zone invited one of the school’s teachers—Jennifer Bliss—to make a tandem jump! As her students gathered by the landing area and cheered her on, something shifted. The abstract idea of skydiving became tangible. Personal. Real. When she landed safely and the students ran toward her with excitement, the connection was complete. The DZ wasn’t just a place where people jump out of planes—it was now part of their story.
In communities like DeLand, skydiving is more than a sport—it’s a local industry, an economic contributor and a source of pride. And when DZs open their doors to the people around them, they help break down barriers and show that what happens on the drop zone belongs to more than just those in the air.
This kind of outreach doesn’t require elaborate programming or polished presentations. It starts with a simple invitation. A willingness to share the space, the stories and the passion that fuels our sport. When drop zones connect with their local schools businesses, and neighborhoods, they create something bigger than canopies flying in the sky; they create understanding, curiosity and mutual respect.
Skydive DeLand’s field trip is a reminder that one of the most meaningful ways to elevate our sport is to bring it down to earth. And this can happen when we choose to land in our communities and invite them to join us.
Sharon Har-Noy Pilcher D-33082
DeLand, Florida