[Previous entry: "Weak Vector Reserve Pins/Suunto Watch Altimeter"]
[Next entry: "Recurrency Jumps/MPAAD Automatic Opener"]

Just two weeks ago Chris Smisson stopped by Chuting Star Rigging Loft to pick up his repacked pilot emergency rigs and talk about his passion: flying aerobatics. The aerobatic season was getting under way and he spoke enthusiastically about joining forces with our demonstration skydiving team to provide a “full package air show” for his many air show events this year. We even walked outside to watch a couple of jumpers swoop across the pond as the experienced jumpers built up speed with a low turn and skimmed across the water. Ironically, it was a low turn to build up speed with his Russian-built SP-95 in an air show race with a “jet-powered pickup truck” that ended Chris Smisson’s life March 22 at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. According to news reports the cause of the accident, be it judgment error, aircraft malfunction or health issue, remains under investigation. Chris owned Smisson Field in Whitesburg, Ga., which was the base of operations for AirshowUnlimited.com. The aerobatic air show team is well-known throughout the nation. Smisson was a Delta Air Lines captain and a former Air Force pilot. According to his aerobatic web site, “Chris was the United States Intermediate Glider Aerobatic Champion in 1989 and was a member of the United States Glider Aerobatic Team in 1991. Chris with his team members Steve Coan (5 time national glider champion and professional air show pilot) and Dr. Charles Kalko were the only U.S. glider Aerobatic team in U.S. history to win a team medal in international competition.” He had more than 14,000 hours flying time from ultralights to Boeing 767 jets. He is survived by his wife Heidi and 10-year-old son Skylar. Chris had religiously brought me all of the AirshowUnlimited.com pilot rigs as well as rigs from his friends and students since 1999 and had offered several times for an aerobatic ride over Smisson Field. I regret never making time to take him up on his offer.

4-way Formation Skydiving teams in Georgia are forming and practicing for the upcoming season of the Georgia Skydiving League. This will be the 7th consecutive season for the state competition league, which began in 1997 under the leadership of Glenn Crews. The original goal was to have fun and improve the skydiving skills of Georgia jumpers. Crews’ vision was met and then exceeded as the GSL has proved itself a training ground for several nationally-competitive teams. Mr. Pink has competed on the national level since 1998. Present & Grip and Fusion 4 competed nationally for a couple of years. Nemesis has won bronze, silver and gold medals at recent national competitions. This is to just name a few. Numerous other GSL teams have competed on the state and national level since the league’s inception or traveled here from out-of-state to compete. As for fun, the league’s end-of-the-year party is traditionally the largest gathering of the state’s skydivers every year, bringing together all the competing drop zones for a night of eating, drinking and laughing at our selves on video while recognizing the top teams. League Director Doug Glover is running the league for his second year. Glover, a former member of Nemesis, is attempting to rejuvenate a league that has seen a recent decline in attendance. All indications seem to show he has done just that through advertising, routine organizing, free coaching and the help of seasoned 4-way competitors throughout the state. Competitor Scott Franklin reports there are 4-5 new teams that formed over the winter at Skydive Monroe. Meanwhile, new teams have also formed at Skydive Atlanta and Atlanta Skydiving Center. Two teams return from last year: GT Inviscid in its 2nd year as well as Mr. Pink in its 7th year. The first meet is Saturday, April 26, at Atlanta Skydiving Center. For more info, visit www.gaskyleague.com.