Forty years ago this year on August 16th, Joe Kittinger set the still current world's record for highest parachute jump in history as well as became the only person to ever break the sound barrier with only himself as a vehicle (and live to tell about it.) Friends and supporters who call themselves the "Red Neck Squadron" are gathering in Orlando to celebrate the special occasion with Kittinger.
 
Kittinger's aviation career has spanned a spectrum of experiences: test pilot, balloon pilot, test parachutist, combat fighter pilot, prisoner of war, civilian pilot and barnstormer. In addition to his 1960 world's record for the longest high-altitude parachute jump in history, he was the first man to fly solo by balloon across the Atlantic in 1984. In his retirement, Kittinger barnstorms in an authentic 1929 New Standard Bi-plane bringing a genuine aviation barnstorming experience and smiles to thousands of passengers at festivals and special aviation events. Col. Kittinger is the subject of a new Naval Institute book, THE PRE-ASTRONAUTS by Craig Ryan. Recently, he has become known as the "UFO Mystery Man" because of references to him in the publication ROSWELL REPORT: CASE CLOSED issued by the Air Force.
 
Marking the 40th Anniversary, the International Society of Aviation Barnstorming Historians is issuing limited edition commemorative postal covers featuring an illustration of Kittinger's 1960 world record parachute leap from a high altitude balloon at 102,800'. The covers are being specially canceled at the site of the jump in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and will be numbered and signed by Col. Kittinger. Honoring Kittinger's military service to his country as an Air Force pilot and prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, the covers utilize the postal flag envelope, Scott US U642. Proceeds will benefit the ISABH's education and research programs. Covers may be obtained for $10 each with a SASE from: Kittinger 40th Covers, ISABH, Box 1535, Corinth, MS 38835-1535.
 
Read more about Joe Kittinger's jump at www2.tsixroads.com/corinth/jk004.html
 
From:
International Society of Aviation Barnstorming Historians,
Milton Sandy, Jr., Executive Director, P.O. Box 1535,
Corinth, MS 38835-1535/ 662-286-6087/ 287-4187 FAX/
MLSandy@TsiXroads.com

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Flight Over the Bay

On Sunday, June 11, skydivers Dave Bryce of Portsmouth, RI, and Bonnie Welcome of Turners Falls, MA, successfully completed what they believe to be the first cross-country canopy flight over the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.
 
The two exited at 10,000 feet over the western passage of the Narragansett Bay and flew east over the northern tip of Jamestown Island. After crossing the island, they flew over the eastern passage of the Bay and landed on Aquidneck Island, the home of Skydive Newport. They obtained permission for the skydive through air traffic control prior to the jump.

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Mark Wheeler Memorial Fund

Many of you heard about Chicagoland Skydivings recent tragedy when their otter crashed in North Carolina and Mark Wheeler, who was piloting the plane, did not survive. Mark was an amazing skydiver, with over 6000 jumps and almost every rating and award one could possibly get in skydiving!
 
Chicagoland Skydivings in Hinkley, IL, has a Mark Wheeler Memorial Fund set up, and in agreement with Vanessa (his girlfriend) and Simon (his brother) the money that they raise will be sent to the Humane Society, since Mark loved animals and would take in any strays! So if you would like to donate money to the Humane Society, please make the check payable to Mark Wheeler Memorial Fund or, if you would feel better, to the Humane Society [www.humanesociety.com]. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 758 Hinckley IL 60520.

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Canadians go Eloy!
by Joe Ablitt, C&NT, CSPA - jablitt@skybus.com

A couple of very preliminary inquiries regarding competing for Canada at the upcoming World Cup of 4-way and 8-way Fs in Eloy this November 3 to 12th, 2000 have been made, however, no formal or confirmed applications have been received by CSPA.
 
Potential athletes are reminded that Canada may enter three 4-way and three 8-way teams in this competition. Teams entering must do so with CSPA approval and be registered through the Aero Club of Canada through CSPA. This association would be happy to assist any appropriate, interested team in registering and competing in this World Cup. Preliminary entry date is August 21. The final official entry date is September 22.
 
Information regarding this World Cup can be found at www.skydiveaz.com/world_cup/2000_world_cup.htm

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Skydive City News
by T.K. Hayes - tkhayes@skydivecity.com

Hello again folks and hope this finds you well. Busy summer for all of us as we gear up for the upcoming season.
 
Halloween will see a pumpkin drop contest as long as we can get permission from the airport to litter the fields with pumpkin seeds. As we get into November, we have the 60 Way Speed competition coming up and invites will be out shortly.
 
A new staff of organizers for the winter is being lined up and put together with guest organizers from around the world. Steve Elvey will be here for 3 weeks during Christmas and Johnny Tichler from Canada will be down in the New Year.
 
Hope everyone keeps in touch with our calendar on our web site at www.skydivecity.com, and we wish you a great fall and winter season. Hope to see you out here!

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New British Womens Record

VMAX, the british Womens 4-Way Formation Skydiving Team has established the new British Womens Formation Skydiving Record with the score of 19 points in 35 seconds in the last round of the British National Skydiving Championships in July 2000. The new British Record has just been confirmed by the BPA and has also been submitted to the FAI as the new World Record in the Women's event. It is anticipated that this score will be established as the World Record shortly.