USPA Reports Continued Growth in Sport of Skydiving
The United States Parachute Association (USPA) reported this week that the sport of skydiving continued to grow in 2011 and is poised to continue that growth into 2012.
USPA Executive Director, Ed Scott.
The association announced that skydiving, an FAA-recognized aeronautical activity, continues to increase business at general aviation airports across the country and boost local economies by bringing thousands of people to nearby businesses. In 2011, USPA’s 200-plus affiliated skydiving centers in the U.S. reported more than 3.1 million skydives and nearly 400,000 takeoffs and landings with no fatal aircraft accidents.
Last year, according to a USPA release, more than a half million people in the U.S. took the leap for the first time. Whether to cross an item off their bucket lists or to discover a new hobby and passion, these first-timers took the life-changing leap and experienced the thrill of a lifetime.
In addition to first-time jumpers, USPA also reports an upsurge in experienced skydivers of all ages. At year’s end, USPA boasted a membership of 33,515—its highest number since January 2002, shortly after the 9-11 terrorist attacks wreaked havoc on the aviation industry.
As the sport of skydiving is clearly on the rise, accident numbers continue to remain minimal, USPA says. In 2011, 25 people died in the U.S. while skydiving, or one out of every 125,000 jumps. Additionally, the five-year average of skydiving fatalities shows a steady decline, with an average of 22 per year over the last five years compared to 25 per year from 2002-2006 and 35 per year from 1997-2001.
Skydiving continues to improve its safety record due in large part to safer equipment and better training. Student accidents are extremely low; most injuries and fatalities involve experienced skydivers attempting advanced maneuvers. USPA continues to work toward making the sport safer by developing additional training programs and conducting its annual Safety Day—scheduled for March 10 this year—where drop zones across the country hold safety seminars and refresher training.
“We’re constantly striving to make skydiving as safe as possible, especially for students,” says USPA Executive Director Ed Scott. “The sport’s continued growth attests to this improved safety and the indescribable life-altering experience of jumping out of a plane. With Leap Year upon us, what better time to take that leap?”
For more information on skydiving and to find a USPA Group Member skydiving center near you, visit www.uspa.org.
AOPA Aviation Summit Commits to Palm Springs in 2012… and 2014
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has committed to hold their general aviation trade show and convention, AOPA Aviation Summit, at the Palm Springs Convention Center Oct. 11-13, 2012 and Oct. 9-11, 2014.
The AOPA Aviation Summit features dozens of aircraft on display at the Palm Springs Convention Center, more than 400 booths in the exhibit hall and an enhanced education series offered over the course of three days.
The organization has not been to Palm Springs since 2006. Since then, almost $200 million has been spent to build new hotels and upgrade existing facilities. The summit is expected to generate $12 million in economic impact.
INAUGURAL TRIBUTE TO RECOGNIZE FIRST INDUCTEES TO CAF AVIATION MUSEUM’S WALK OF HONOR
The Commemorative Air Force ("CAF") Arizona Wing Aviation Museum, located at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, announced today the inauguration of its Walk of Honor as a tribute recognizing the contributions by Arizonans to the field of military aviation. Inductees will be honored for their achievement with the installation of a special bronze plaque at the Museum.
The inauguration will be celebrated at a dinner recognizing the first inductees on Saturday evening, February 18, 2012 at the Phoenix Hilton East-Mesa Hotel, 1011 W. Holmes, Mesa, Arizona 85210. Cocktails will be from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Dinner and the induction ceremony will follow. Brigadier General Jerry D. Harris, Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB will be the keynote speaker.
The first six inductees into the Arizona Military Aviation Walk of Honor include: Lieutenant Frank Luke, Major Fred Ferguson, Rear Admiral W. L. Chatham, Mr. Sergei Sikorsky, Major Joseph Foss and Dr. Harry Robertson. Inductees are native, resident or former resident Arizonans, living or deceased, who made noteworthy contributions to the field of military aviation. They are selected based upon achievement in a variety of categories, including flying, engineering, manufacturing, operations, education or other commendable aviation-related achievements.
NASA Engineers at Yuma International Host Students to Discuss Orion
Engineers from NASA and Jacobs Engineering hosted students this week from Cibola, Yuma and San Luis High Schools for a tour of their hangar at Yuma International Airport, to discuss the space agency's Orion Program and the work they are conducting in Yuma. The tours occurred on Monday, January 23rd and Tuesday, January 24th. The students are involved in the University of Arizona - Yuma High School Engineering Program.
Students gather in front of the Jacobs/NASA facility at Yuma International Airport.
The University of Arizona began offering Engineering 102 in an effort to introduce high school students to college-level engineering and to give math-and-science savvy students hands-on experience before they commit to a university engineering program. The high school program is based on the Engineering 102 class that freshman engineering students take at the UofA.
Inside the NASA hangar.
NASA’s Capsule Parachute Assembly System team has been performing parachute drop tests at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Grounds since 2007 to support the design and development of the capsule descent and landing parachute system to support the Orion flight tests and first human flight.
While they’ve been testing in Yuma since 2007, NASA didn’t have a permanent home until the airport built the Pappy Boyington hangar in 2009. Since basing themselves in the hangar, the NASA and Jacobs Engineering team are ahead of schedule.
“Since the NASA and Jacobs engineers are here for six months out of the year, Yuma is like a second home for them and we’ve built an amazing relationship.” said Gen Grosse, airport spokesperson. “We also participate in a variety of educational programs within the community. When NASA expressed interest in sharing their knowledge and experience with our local students, we knew it would be an experience of a lifetime. It's exciting for the students to see what a wide variety of options lies in their future.”
Thomas A. Zlaket To Chair The Tucson Airport Authority
Thomas A. Zlaket has assumed the chairmanship of the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) at its annual meeting this week. In addition, the membership elected three new board members and six new TAA members.
Thomas A. Zlaket
A member of TAA since 2003, Zlaket was elected to the board of directors in 2007. He began practicing law in Tucson in 1965 and served in the Arizona Supreme Court from 1992 to 2002, moving from associate justice, to vice chief justice, to chief justice in 1997.
An attorney in private practice for the past 10 years, Zlaket is also an adjunct associate professor at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and is chief judge of the Tonto Apache Nation Tribal Court of Appeals.
Active in community affairs, Zlaket is a member of several professional organizations, including the DM50, an advocacy group for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and the Arizona chapter of The Nature Conservancy, for which he is a trustee.
The Authority’s newly elected members are Michael Duran of Tucson Medical Center, Michael Hammond of PICOR Commercial Real Estate Services, Rosemary Koberlein of The Long Companies, Tim Overton of Wells Fargo, Judith Patrick of SCF Arizona and Richard Underwood of AAA Landscape.
Continuing on the board this year are Lisa Israel, chairman-elect; Steven Fell, secretary; Steven Cole, treasurer; Chanda S. Budhabhatti, assistant secretary; Gregory A. Pivirotto, assistant treasurer; and Rubin Salter, immediate past chairman. Edwin Biggers, Michael Hannley and Tony Finley were newly elected to the board.
WRP Aviation Committee Reviews Airspace Issues
The Western Regional Partnership's committee on Military Readiness, Homeland Security, Disaster Preparedness and Aviation met recently in Reno, Nevada to review the committee's draft outline of airspace sustainability and discuss aviation and airspace issues that were germane to the group.
Committee members break for a photo op.
Eric Glick, Aviation and Rail Program manager for the Nevada Department of Transportation, welcomed the committee, which is made up of representatives of state aviation, general aviation, the FAA, Department of Defense and other state and federal agencies, to Reno.
Approximately fifty attended, either in person or via the internet. "I was really pleased with the participation," said Kim Stevens, Co-Chair of the committee and Publisher of the State Aviation Journal. "It was especially gratifying to have high-level participation from the FAA."
Stevens
Stevens gave a brief on a few of the aviation issues that could impact the group, including Unmanned Aerial Systems, (UAS) and the possible defunding of contract air traffic control towers. There was also a brief on regional aviation issues from Holloman AFB in New Mexico. In addition to aviation issues, there were other updates, including FEMA, an overview of the NAS Fallon mission, the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and the Division of Emergency Management, Nevada Office of Homeland Security. The Committee is working to have written summaries of the missions of the military installations and ranges within the WRP region to highlight their contributions to the national security.
One of the goals of this committee is to open up the lines of communications between DoD, state and federal aviation officials and representatives of general aviation. "In many cases we all share the same airspace and there are issues that impact all of us," said Stevens. "I've found this committee to be an excellent venue for honest open discussion of those issues." To assist in this matter, the Committee is developing aviation contacts throughout the WRP region to assist with collaboration and sharing of information.
FAA Issues Letter to Airmen for Traffic Operations Near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway
Phillip D. Thornton, Air Traffic Manager of the FAA's Phoenix Terminal Radar Approach Control, (TRACON) issued a "Letter to Airmen" today, regarding air traffic operations in the vicinity of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
The Phoenix Terminal Area is home to a large general aviation community in addition to a large professional pilot flight training industry. During peak periods, the airspace surrounding Phoenix is some of the busiest in the nation, with several thousand aircraft movements per day in the terminal area.
Air traffic volume and complexity southwest of the Superstition Mountains, near Chandler, Arizona has increased markedly over the past several years. This airspace includes the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA), several practice areas and areas known to contain acrobatic flight activity. IWA is a small hub commercial service airport. During calendar year 2010, approximately 400,000 passengers boarded commercial aircraft at IWA. In addition, general aviation flight training activity remains the larger percentage of aircraft operations.
Recently, the Phoenix Airspace Users Working Group assigned an ad-hoc workgroup to review activity and safety in this airspace, identify any safety issues and recommend mitigation strategies if possible. As one of the mitigation strategies, the ad-hoc group has recommended the information below be disseminated to airmen.
Industry Promoted at 7th Annual Aviation Day at the Capitol
The seventh annual Aviation Day at the Capitol was held Wednesday, January 18, from 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. on the grounds of the State Capitol.
Representative Russ Jones. (Photo by Kim Stevens)
The event is a state wide industry opportunity to promote the variety and vitality of aviation in Arizona and to meet with State legislators personally and individually.
Jennifer Maples, President of the Arizona Airports Association, (AzAA) said this is the single most collaborative aviation event held at the state level.
AzAA President Jennifer Maples. (Photo by Kim Stevens)
"Arizona's Aviation Day at the Capitol is our industry's cornerstone event every year," said Maples. "Having the sponsors, exhibitors, and committee members represented by such a wide cross-section of aviation is a testament to the significance of what we accomplish at Aviation Day." For AzAA, the event embodies their goal of promoting public recognition of airports and fostering the development of air transportation in Arizona.
The stated mission of Arizona Aviation Day at the Capitol is to inform the legislative members and staff of the Arizona State Government about the benefits and economic impact of aviation within the State of Arizona. The Mission also introduces these individuals to the significant contributions made by the many businesses, organizations, and associations which support aviation in their communities and throughout the State.
Speakers at this year's event included House Minority Leader, Chad Campbell and Representative Russ Jones. Maples, Aviation Superintendent at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, said that Representatives Campbell and Jones could not have delivered a better message than if we had written their comments for them. "Their understanding of the issues and commitment to preventing sweeps of the Aviation Fund was the crowning jewel on the day's activities."
Event Chairman was Casey Denny, Immediate Past President of AzAA and Deputy Director of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. See more detailed coverage in the next issue of the Arizona Aviation Journal.
Sky Harbor Names New Community Development, Government Relations Chief
Marchelle Franklin has been named Deputy Aviation Director for Community Development and Government Relations for Sky Harbor International Airport.
Marchelle Franklin
Franklin, whose experience includes more than 20 years of public- and private-sector leadership roles, will oversee legislative efforts and be the primary liaison to the Mayor’s Office and City Council.
Franklin will also supervise the Aviation Department’s Outreach Program and plan and staff the Phoenix Aviation Advisory Board (PAAB) meetings as well as develop and strengthen relationships with industry groups, such as the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and Airport Council International – North America (ACI-NA).
Carl Newman, Assistant Aviation Director said Franklin has an extensive background in working effectively with various elected bodies, so they're very excited in having someone with her caliber join their team.
Franklin served the past eight years in the Mayor’s Office as the Senior Assistant to the Mayor, Deputy Chief of Staff and Co-Chief of Staff. Her responsibilities included assisting the mayor with executive level policy analysis and strategic planning; managing programs, projects and operating budget; and supervising staff.
Franklin has a master’s degree in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She also completed the Executive Development Program in Human Resources Consulting and Strategy Development at the University of Southern California.
CAF Salutes Arizona’s Tuskegee Airmen
The Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) held a tribute on Saturday celebrating the legacy of Arizona's Tuskegee Airmen.
Tuskegee Airman Rudolph Silas speaks to attendees. (Photo by Kim Stevens)
The event, held at the CAF's museum located at Falcon Field in Mesa, was held in collaboration with the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and the Buffalo Soldiers of the Arizona Territory and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Regiment.
Mayor Scott Smith of Mesa provided opening remarks to an estimated 600 in attendance, including Brig. General JD Harris, 56th Fighter Wing commander at Luke Air Force Base. The ceremony honored fourteen original Tuskegee Airmen, five of whom are now deceased.
State Aviation Journal
- NASAO Launches Newly Designed Website January 28, 2012
- USPA Reports Continued Growth in Skydiving January 27, 2012
- Joe Tulowitzki Joins Duncan Aviation’s Turbine Engine Service Sales Team January 27, 2012
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Recent Topics
- USPA Reports Continued Growth in Sport of Skydiving
- AOPA Aviation Summit Commits to Palm Springs in 2012… and 2014
- INAUGURAL TRIBUTE TO RECOGNIZE FIRST INDUCTEES TO CAF AVIATION MUSEUM’S WALK OF HONOR
- NASA Engineers at Yuma International Host Students to Discuss Orion
- Thomas A. Zlaket To Chair The Tucson Airport Authority
- WRP Aviation Committee Reviews Airspace Issues
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