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Over the past five years, the number of annual civilian skydiving deaths has been on the decrease. Ten people died making sport skydives in the U.S. in 2021, the fewest number of U.S. civilian skydiving deaths since recordkeeping began in 1961. The recent downward trend began in 2018, when 13 fatalities occurred in the U.S. for a fatality index of 0.39 per 100,000 jumps. Rising slightly in 2019 to 15, the number again fell in 2020 to 11 with an index rate of 0.39 (matching 2018’s index rate, but with fewer fatalities and fewer skydives made). Although the final data is not in on the number of jumps made in 2021, it is nearly certain that the fatality index will be at an all-time low, as well. This downward trend is a result of the efforts of drop zones and their staff, the parachute manufacturing industry and skydivers across the country. 

Although every life lost is tragic, leaving behind friends and family mourning, there is comfort in knowing that each year skydiving is getting significantly safer. This smaller fatality count is a testament to all the hard work drop zone operators, safety and training advisors, instructors, the skydiving industry and jumpers themselves are performing daily. With a bit of luck and continued vigilance, maybe we can see our first single-digit year next year. One way to help us achieve this goal is by attending your local drop zone’s Safety Day, this year scheduled for March 12 (but dates can vary by location). 

As of August 10, 2021, 36 members will appear on the ballot in the upcoming election for USPA’s Board of Directors. All 22 seats on the board are up for election, with 19 members vying for the eight USPA National Director slots and 17 members total running for USPA Regional Director in 14 different regions. The election begins October 1, when members with valid email addresses on file with USPA will receive an email to access the electronic ballot. An electronic ballot will also be accessible by logging in to your USPA membership account at uspa.org and going to uspa.org/election to vote. A paper ballot will also appear in the October issue of Parachutist as a printed page and will be available for download from the USPA website for completion and mailing. 

The U.S. Parachute Association is searching for a development professional to join the team at USPA Headquarters in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The individual will implement a broad range of fundraising activities and drive support for USPA and its affiliated funds (the Airport Access and Defense Fund, The U.S. Parachute Team Trust Fund, The U.S. Parachute Team Inc. and the U.S. Skydiving Safety Foundation). This position will be responsible for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of donor and fundraising activities, and will join a USPA team that is passionate about skydiving and supporting skydivers.

The complete job listing, including application information, is available here: https://www.indeed.com/job/resource-development-manager-7e6b235a75e7e2a6

The first and only female executive director for USPA, Laura MacKenzie passed away after a long illness on Saturday, May 22. MacKenzie was the executive director from December 1, 1976, until March 1978, and was the first staff member hired by then-Executive Director Donald Beach when USPA moved from Monterey, California, in 1975. As the executive director, MacKenzie handled everything from hiring staff, accounting and office administration to acting as assistant meet director of the 1976 USPA National Championships.

An avid supporter of skydiving competition and the U.S. Parachute Team, MacKenzie made a lasting impact on the sport of skydiving, especially during her time at USPA Headquarters. She wrote a column each month during her tenure titled “The Washington Update,” which she used to update members and encourage industry-wide support and donations for the U.S. Parachute Team. In the March 1997 issue of Parachutist, MacKenzie writes a letter celebrating a milestone to fellow parachutists:

“The United States Parachute Team is now a separate corporation. Most importantly, it has an IRS section 170 (c) status, which means: All contributions to the U.S. Team are tax-deductible!”

In her letter to members from the October 1977 issue, MacKenzie explains some of the benefits of moving USPA Headquarters to Washington D.C.:

“The move to Washington D.C. has enabled USPA to develop closer communications with the FAA. Now, after two years, the FAA has come through with the answers to some of our petitions. They have determined that an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) is not required to be installed aboard aircraft engaged solely in parachute jumping operations. This is a step in the right direction for both parachutists and the FAA. This change will save money for drop zone operators and therefore you, the skydiver. We’re looking forward to more fruits in our developing relationship.”

MacKenzie was an active skydiver in the ’60s and ’70s and was on two U.S. Parachute teams, 1969 at the Adriatic Cup in Portoroz, Yugoslavia, and 1972 World Championships in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She was Women’s Star Crest Recipient #2 and was a part of the first all-women 8-way star in Elsinore, California, on July 28, 1970. A strange quote from Parachutist says, "The tireless organizers decided that if there was enough time and light left at the end of the meet, the girls would be allowed to have a go at it." Jean Schultz and MacKenzie made the 2-way base in 15 seconds. Sheila Scott docked third. Ann Gardiner made the star a 4-way. Diane Bird made the fifth dock. Luena Garrison and Linda Padgett came in sixth and seventh and Patty Croceito finished the formation. They broke the star just above 3,000 feet, and they all landed to cheers from the observers on the ground. Carl Boenish, Ray Cottingham and John Randall filmed the dive.

MacKenzie is survived by her godson, Dylan, who writes “Godmother, skydiving champion, guitar player, cat owner, social worker, dog lover, fabric artist, blackbelt. Laura took one final jump into the unknown this past weekend. The world is better for having known her. She is missed.”

A true champion of skydiving, Laura MacKenzie will be affectionately remembered for her contributions to skydiving. Now she will forever enjoy the Blue Skies.

On March 29, the International Skydiving Commission President Gillian Rayner released a statement on regarding the 2020 Fédération Aéronautique Internationale World Parachuting Championships Mondial scheduled to be held in Tanay/Kemerovo, Russia, August 10-20, 2021. The event, which was rescheduled from 2020 due to COVID, has been facing uncertainty due to ongoing concerns about the pandemic. The ISC is also awaiting a determination from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding Russia’s eligibility to host the event. Though facing many unknowns, the ISC is hopeful that the event will go forward. Rayner’s full statement is available here: https://www.fai.org/news/update-2021-fai-world-parachuting-championships-mondial.

USPA has partnered with CafePress in order to reopen our online store, for the first time in over a year. Members can find SIMs and IRMs, clothing, drinkware and other items at uspa.org/store. A limited number of items are currently available, with more to be added as summer approaches.

The USPA Board of Directors held its fifth meeting of the 2019-2021 term in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 29-31. For the second time, the board meeting was broadcast live via Zoom Webinar for USPA members to observe and over 130 USPA members registered to attend the virtual meeting.  

Meeting highlights include: 

• The 2022 USPA National Skydiving and Parachuting Championships was awarded to Skydive Chicago and Skydive Midwest. 

• The 2022 USPA National Collegiate Skydiving Championships was awarded to Skydive Arizona. 

• There will be a 4-way FS Beginner class as a test event at 2021 and 2022 USPA National Championships. 

• It’s now recommended that PRO rating holders use an AAD and RSL. 

• E-License discussion has been tabled until HQ Staff identifies member interest with the upcoming annual membership survey.  

• A Sport Promotion sub-committee was established under the umbrella of Membership Services. The purpose “to collaborate on promoting diverse, consistent communications to inspire the general public to experience skydiving, convert them into skydivers, and support them as licensed jumpers with diverse, consistent, relevant communications, promotions, and resources.”  

• Incident reports save lives and have helped USPA identify unsafe trends and respond quickly with education to raise awareness. Safety and Training Director Ron Bell continues to request Regional Directors for help in educating their region with filing incident reports. 

• Subcommittee lead by Directors Luke Aikins and Melissa Lowe have developed a comprehensive document with assistance from experts in the field. This document will be added to the SIM as section “6-12 Movement Jumps.” 

After 13 years of service for USPA, Director of Government Relations Randy Ottinger attended his 26th and final board meeting. Randy was a vital force in fighting for airport access on behalf of drop zone owners and skydivers across the nation and USPA is grateful for Randy’s excellent service.  

A full report will appear in the April issue of Parachutist. The board will meet next August 27-29, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio in conjunction with the PIA Symposium.  

USPA’s board of directors is holding its next meeting January 29-31 in Cincinnati, Ohio. We are excited to announce that we will broadcast it webinar-style via Zoom, as we did for our summer board meeting. Any member who is interested in attending should use the link below to pre-register. The site will ask you to log in to your USPA account for confirmation. Upon registration, you will receive two personalized links—one for each of two “rooms”—via email. This will allow you to attend any open meeting. Each registration (limited to one per member) and link allow one entry into the meeting. Those who are not USPA members may request an invitation through the form on the website.
If you would like to see how the USPA Board works for you, now is your chance to tune in from the comfort of home! Visit uspa.org/BOD/lobby to view the schedule of committee meetings, view agendas and register to attend.

This 20-minute documentary shares the stories of all those who call Dillingham Airfield home and conveys what will be lost if the Hawaii legislature chooses to close the airfield.
It takes just ONE MINUTE to send an email to Hawaii legislators asking them to save Dillingham Airfield. We have made taking action easy by setting up a form for skydivers, aviators and Hawaii residents here: https://savedillinghamairfield.org/

The results are in for the special election to fill the National Director-seat vacancy on the USPA Board of Directors. The election concluded November 30. Below is the list of candidates along with the vote totals. The winner is indicated in bold type. The newly elected board member will serve the remainder of 2019-2021 term.

National Director Special Election Votes