• Master Rigger

• A-6090
• B-15680
• D-8115

• AFF/I
• Tandem
• Static
• I/E

• Falcon
• 4 Stack
• Gold Wings
• Diamond Wings
• Double Diamond Wings

Skydiving for me began in 1977 while I was stationed in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Kinda pricey back then; $25.00 for the First Jump Course! It cost $7.50 to go to 10,500' of elevation in a Cessna 182. Outrageously expensive for a L/CPL!! Jumped un modified T-10's, 28' 7 TU's, and Para Commanders with belly warts and learned how to spot the hard way at Dillingham Airfield on the island of Oahu where a bad spot either put you in the ocean or in the sugar cane fields. Uncle Pat (Pat Mc Namara) and Cookie Lady (Susie Hanks), who now jump at Skydive Virginia as staff members, will confirm that my spotting has improved significantly since those days and my skills are now above reproach. About 75 jumps or so, my Instructor "let me" jump a StratoStar (after I paid for it.) and I promptly plowed into the 20' tall hedge at the end of the landing area at 30 mph! My, my, my. how the times have changed.

I made my first 90 or so jumps in Hawaii and moved back to the mainland in 1978. Slow going on the jumping front for about 4 years till 1982 and then earned my Static Line Jumpmaster rating at Eagleville, TN with George Galloway flying the Cessna 182. I slowly became more involved in the sport, Instructor Rating in 1983, FAA Senior Rigger rating in 1984, Master Rigger rating in 1988. In 1988 I secured a unique job; as an Army civilian employee I managed the Fort Campbell Sport Parachute Activity for 8 years till 1996. I had an incredible job where I met and enjoyed the company of hundreds of great folks. In the interim, I had returned to active military service in late 1994 and subsequently moved to Salt Lake City, UT for duty in 1996. While jumping at the Cedar Valley and Ogden, UT airports, I enjoyed the company of some fantastic friends; John Cashman, Janet Gaylor, Brian and Suzanne Wallace, Russell Bartholemew, Terry Dushane, Bianka Candelaria and scores of others. I earned my AFF rating in 1998. I must say I truly enjoyed the five years I spent skydiving in Utah!!! I've traveled a bit since leaving Salt Lake City in 2001 due to employment. I started participating as a jumper and an instructor at Skydive Virginia in May of 2001 on an infrequent basis, when ever I was stateside - and on the east coast, due to my good friend Pat Mc Namara, and have enjoyed my time there ever since.

After 29 years of participation in many levels of the sport, I sincerely believe that Skydiving is a fantastic avocation with many incredibly rewarding adventures; however, interacting with the unique individuals who elect to participate in skydiving is the singular most enjoyable aspect.