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American Censorship Day

It’s Thursday, November 16th, 2011.
Today, Congress holds hearings on the first American Internet censorship systems – Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). It is understood that this legislation as written will NOT stop piracy, but what it will do is stop social media and sites thriving on user-generated content dead in their tracks. If this bill passes, the Internet and free speech with it, will never be the same.
Anyone operating a website or interacting on a social network could face blocking, risk of jail, and perhaps the worst – the end of fun. That includes us.

More info?
Click play or proceed to this infographic.

Don’t like it either? Americans, you can send a note to Congress saying so.

Poppy Power

Well there’s nothing like raising awareness for our Troops. Throwing yourself off some insane mountains, buzzing the cliff face in a wingsuit and having a ton of fun is certainly a great way to do so.

In the build up to Veterans Day on 11 Nov (the funny British way of saying November 11), our British colleagues sell red poppies and everyone around the country wears one in recognition of those that have served. Our friends Jump4Heroes have emblazoned their gear with Poppy logos in an effort to get the message out in their own ‘extreme’ way. Our favorite video of theirs shows some pretty darn cool wingsuit proximity flying in the Italian mountains. Check it out and click ‘like’ if you support their efforts.

BSBD Dave Brown

After many weeks of searching, the body of well-known skydiver Dave Brown has been located. Below is a message from Dave’s family: “Our family confirms the finding of the remains of our son, brother, cousin, and nephew in Moab. We are devastated by our loss of such a gifted young man. Special thanks to Moab’s Chief of Police, Mike Navarre, and his staff for their tending to us and Dave as a missing person. We also thank the volunteers at Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs, Dave’s many friends far and wide, and Ryan Shaw and his students at Paradrenalin for their extraordinary efforts in searching for Dave. Dave’s loved ones had not heard from him since June 29. On October 23 a hiker found remains in the mountains surrounding Moab. On October 26 Chief Mike confirmed that the remains belong to Dave. We treasure the concern and best wishes of so many young people that were touched by Dave’s smile and sense of adventure. Private family funeral arrangements are in process. Please respect our need to grieve our loss within our immediate family. Blue skies, Dave. You are so loved and your incredible zest for life will be missed.” Dave Brown was one of a kind for sure. His memory is certain to live on in the stories we tell around the campfire for a long time to come. If you anything you’d like to share, please feel free to do so in the comments below or e-mail us.

BSBD Ted Strong

Ted Strong, 1936-2011

Ted Strong, owner of Strong Parachutes and one of the sport’s giant figures, has died. From strongparachutes.com:

Ted Strong D-16 4/7/1936-10/14/2011

A visionary from the beginning and a man with an enormous heart passed away on Friday.

There are too many stories to write about the legend that is Ted Strong. Ted strived to improve the industry that he loved without seeking fame or credit. He just wanted a safer and more inviting environment for everybody to enjoy and experience skydiving the way he did.

Ted Strong started skydiving in 1958, entered the US Army in 1959 with 100 jumps, and was stationed at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY for two years.  His duty there was to coach the USMA Cadet Parachute Team and the West Point Sport Parachute Club. In 1961 Ted started Strong Enterprises, a parachute company in his parents basement. He began by modifying round parachutes, sewing and making anything his friends needed to skydive. A friend once said “ Ted Strong’s company wasn’t there to make money, but to make parachutes for his friends” This quote personified Ted.

The industry and the world has lost a wonderful person and those that knew him will miss him dearly. Those that never had the pleasure of meeting him will feel his influence anytime they make a skydive.

Ted was awarded the USPA Gold Medal for Meritorious Service in 2002, “For almost a half-century of contribution to the skydiving community as a competitor, a sponsor of numerous US parachute teams, and, most notably, his unique innovation in parachute equipment design including the tandem skydiving system and its importance to the growth of the sport in general and USPA in particular.” [USPA] He was inducted into the National Skydiving Museum’s Hall of Fame last year.

Blue skies, Ted. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Strong family and the many, many people whose lives he touched.

USPA vs. U.S. Teams

The U.S. Parachute Association does not currently give financial support to teams out of their operating budget. The U.S. Parachute Team Trust Fund is a “tax-exempt fund [that] holds all donations in irrevocable trust and the interest it earns is distributed evenly to U.S. Teams for international competition.” [Source: USPA]

In general, teams come up with the money to compete internationally through donations, fundraising, or out of their own pockets. So, should USPA raise member rates so they can give National teams money to represent the U.S. in international competition?

Comments/discussion highly encouraged :)

Should USPA raise member dues in order to financially support National teams at world competitions?

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photo by sushi♥ina

[UPDATE 10/5/11: I forgot to mention that this is not something USPA is considering. We just want to know what you guys think.]

The “Apple of Airplanes” Moving to Deland?

Skydive Deland might be getting a cool new neighbor soon. The obvious question is: Will they let us jump it?

Okay seriously, this could have some implications for the state of skydiving and aviation here in Deeeland. What are the chances something this fun will move to The Athens of Florida?

From The Daytona Beach News-Journal:

ICON Aircraft

For those humble fishing days with your boy.

Aircraft maker considers DeLand for new home
BY CLAYTON PARK, BUSINESS WRITER
An aircraft manufacturing startup with aspirations of becoming the “Apple of airplanes” has included DeLand on its short list of sites in five states under consideration for its new home.

Kirk Hawkins, founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based ICON Aircraft, said he hopes to make his decision on where to relocate his company’s headquarters and manufacturing operations within the next six months.

If the company moves to DeLand, it would initially bring and/or create 100 jobs with the goal of growing its work force to 600 employees within five years of arriving, Hawkins said Tuesday. He said his company would like to be in its new headquarters/manufacturing plant by the end of 2013.

The plant will produce a lightweight two-seat single-propeller plane called the ICON A5. Designed to take off from both land and water, the A5 has wings that fold so it can be stored in a car garage and towed on roads via a trailer. Its price tag is about $139,000.

…

Source: News-Journal
Photos: ICON Aircraft

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