FAI Selects Morrissey and Verner for Prestigious FAI Awards
Above: Kirk Verner (left) and Bill Morrissey.
During the January 21-25 meeting of the International Skydiving Commission of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the commission selected Bill Morrissey, D-516, to receive the FAI Gold Parachuting Medal; and Kirk Verner, D-11059, to receive the Leonardo Da Vinci Parachuting Diploma. The FAI recognized these two outstanding members in honor of their many years of service to the skydiving community worldwide.
The FAI awards its Gold Parachuting Medal to those who have made outstanding accomplishments in the realm of sport, safety or invention in connection with parachuting. The FAI selected Morrisey for the honor based on USPA’s nomination, which read, “Bill Morrissey, D-516, has profoundly shaped the evolution of modern parachuting through pioneering achievements in safety, instruction and operational standards—most notably, as one of the key figures behind the development and implementation of tandem skydiving. His work transformed how thousands enter the sport each year, making skydiving more accessible, safer and more sustainable as both a recreational and competitive discipline. As a co-architect of the tandem skydiving system in the early 1980s, Morrissey helped create training, operational and safety protocols that are still in use today. His leadership was instrumental in bringing tandem skydiving from a bold concept to a globally accepted and regulated practice, paving the way for millions of first-time jumpers to experience freefall under the guidance of trained instructors. This advancement remains one of the most significant in the sport's history, broadening participation and providing a critical pathway into skydiving culture. In addition to his technical contributions, Morrissey is a prolific educator and advocate. His work on instructional methodology and safety standards helped shape the foundational policies of the United States Parachute Association and influenced best practices worldwide. A member of the International Skydiving Hall of Fame, his dedication to improving the sport's safety and accessibility continues to resonate across generations of skydivers. For his outstanding and lasting contributions to the development, safety and growth of parachuting—particularly through his foundational role in the advancement of tandem skydiving—Bill Morrissey is a most deserving recipient of the FAI Gold Parachuting Medal.
The Leonardo Da Vinci Parachuting Diploma may go to a parachutist who has achieved any of the following: been at least twice an individual champion or a member of a champion team at a first-category event; established at least three world parachuting records; have been at least three times an FAI/IPC official at a first-category event; have been at least three times a competition director at a first-category event; have been for at least six years the chair of an IPC Committee or an IPC Bureau Member. The FAI chose to bestow the diploma on Verner based on USPA’s nomination, which lays out how he more than exceeds the criteria for the award: “Kirk Verner is a preeminent figure in skydiving, celebrated for his three-decade legacy of competitive excellence, leadership and innovation in formation skydiving. He has consistently elevated the sport, enabling generations of skydivers to safely push their limits. As a fierce competitor, selfless leader and pioneering innovator, Kirk has shaped formation skydiving for 32 years, making him an exemplary candidate for the Leonardo da Vinci Diploma. His qualifications include serving as the U.S. delegate to the International Parachuting Commission for nine years, representing the sport with distinction globally. Kirk's competitive achievements include gold medal victories at FAI First-Category Events in 4-Way (1995, 1997) and 8-Way (1999, 2004, 2021-2024) with elite teams Arizona Airspeed and Paraclete XP8. He also set multiple world records in large formation skydiving. An inductee of the International Skydiving Museum and Hall of Fame, Kirk is revered for his mentorship and leadership, significantly enhancing team dynamics and performance. As manager of Skydive Paraclete XP, he continues to drive the sport's future by fostering talent and innovation at a world-class training facility. Kirk Verner's profound impact through record-setting achievements, global representation, and competitive dominance establishes him as a model recipient of the Leonardo da Vinci Diploma.”