National Skydiving Museum Weekend Honoring Joe Kittinger
A mid-summer skydiving celebration honoring the “first man in space” is the centerpiece for one with the biggest fundraising events yet planned for the Nationwide Skydiving Museum. Fifty many years ago, Air Force Capt. Joe Kittinger exited at 102,800 feet from a helium balloon over New Mexico, reaching a speed of 614 mph in the course of a four-and-a-half minute totally free fall. The record still stands today, even though there have been numerous attempts to greater it.
The “National Skydiving Museum Weekend Honoring Joe Kittinger” will be held in DeLand, Florida the weekend of August 13-15. Kittinger抯 jump was on August 16, 19Ȝ. Kittinger, who retired as a colonel and is now 81, plans to attend, as well as other skydiving luminaries. There will also be a number of activities through the weekend benefiting the Boy Scouts of America, one more cause Kittinger supports, to commemorate their 100th Anniversary.
Joe Kittinger outside the gondola from which he took his historical jump.The Saturday evening dinner will likely be devoted to honoring the initial class of inductees into the National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame. A exclusive committee carefully selected eleven honorees, culled from a list of skydivers who made major lifelong contributions in gear design, totally free fall techniques, and those who excelled in nationwide and international competitions.
This fundraiser is part from the Nationwide Skydiving Museum抯 $5 million capital program which will raise the necessary funds to construct the museum in Fredericksburg, VA. (story contributed by Doug Garr)
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Skydiving Activities and Exhibitions…
Here are just a few from the events that will honor Joe Kittinger and celebrate 50+ years of skydiving background including giving special recognition to other pioneers for their contributions to our sport. (schedule subject to change)
Jumping for Joe 50-Way Formation Skydiving Exhibition
This 50-way formation with some of the best skydivers in the country will celebrate and symbolize 50 many years since Joe Kittinger抯 record breaking jump. Canopies opening in an practically simultaneous rhythm may have the audience cheering until the last skydiver lands.
Swooping Exhibition
Swooping really shows how far parachute equipment has come over the years. Swooping is gliding a higher efficiency parachute across the ground or water for long distances, typically a slalom sort course, to show the skill with the canopy pilot. The exhibition may have some of the top swooping demo jumpers in both individual and team exhibitions.
Precision Competition
Accuracy goes way back in our background but didn抰 get the recognition it deserved till the Sixth World Parachuting Championships held for the primary time within the U.S. at Orange, MA. Precision canopies in those days were modified military surplus gear with very little steerability. Right now, higher performance accuracy canopies along with the skill of jumpers make for exciting and competitive accuracy contests.
Skydiving Demonstrations
Precision skydiving demos the entire world famous Army Parachute Team (Golden Knights) along with the Air Force Academy Parachute Group.
Wingsuit Flying Exhibition
Grand finale and tribute to Joe Kittinger wingsuit flying actually exhibits the dream of human flight. Ten to 15 in the premier wingsuit flyers in the world will fly formations across the sky with smoke to add to the effect of this spectacular jump.
