 Mike began skydiving
in 1981 at the Pelicanland DZ in Ridgely, Maryland, starting out in
their static line program using old military surplus gear and a 35’
T-10 canopy. After six static line jumps and one “hop and pop”
freefall, he switched over to the then newest, cutting-edge training
program that had just appeared on the skydiving scene at that time –
Accelerated Freefall. AFF was only in its infancy, having just been
borne from the “harness-hold” training technique of skydiving
pioneer Ken Coleman and, in 1981, was only offered as a test program
in two places in the world – the Pelicanland/Parachutes Are Fun
drop zone in Maryland and a DZ in Florida. Mike was one of the first
students to take advantage of this advanced and innovative method of
skydiving instruction and he quickly completed the course and graduated
into the ranks of the “experienced” skydiving world.
Mike has since accumulated more than 1,700 skydives and his credentials
and awards include D license #8769, Gold Wings, 12 Hour Freefall Badge,
4 Stack, SCS #6202, POPS #9239, and TJ #17. He is a former jumpmaster,
static line instructor, and tandem instructor and competed in 4 way
RW in the Intermediate Division at the 1984 US National Skydiving Championships.
These days however, Mike, now also retired from the United States
Air Force, enjoys just being a “fun jumper,” helping to
organize and plan skydives and teach RW skills and techniques to other
RW enthusiasts of any and all experience levels. He and his wife Dana,
who is also a dedicated RW jumper, can always be found right here at
Skydive Delmarva. We encourage you to look him up and get involved in
some fun and challenging skydiving activity. We’re sure that you’ll
be glad you did!
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