Nov 28, 2002, 4:13 PM
Post #1 of 116
(6927 views)
Shortcut
Most famous skydiver...
Can't Post
Ok, who's the most famous skydiver ever??? Not to us skydivers, but to the general public...
My vote might have to go to Mitch Decoteau... In the late 70's, early 1980, Playboy magazine sent an observer to z-hills for a feature...
Load organizers at the time may have included Eric Bradley, Rob Paley, Bob Harmon, Jerry Bird, Shooby, Scotty Carbone (I don't think he was grounded at the time) and a young Mitch Decoteau...
Rumor has it that Mitch was the inspiration for 'Macho Mitch' in an issue of the famous Playboy 'Li'l Annie Fanny' cartoon in which annie learns to skydive... I think Macho Mitch followed Annie down after a bad spot and ended up having to console her...
Anyways, I thought with Playboy's circulation at the time that might make Mitch the most famous skydiver ever as far as the general population is concerned...
Any other nominations???
Skypuppy
PS - I thought I had an old dog-eared copy of that issue around in the bottom of a drawer or the back of a closet, but I seem to have lost it... It might be neat for someone to try putting it on the site if they have it...
Nov 28, 2002, 4:24 PM
Post #2 of 116
(6890 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
My vote goes to Troy Hartman. I suspect the viewers of his "Senseless Acts of Video" series on MTV, the Goose Skyboarding Super Bowl ad, in addition to his appearances in Batman and Baywatch were all seen by millions.
_Am
quade (D 22635)
Moderator
Nov 28, 2002, 5:30 PM
Post #3 of 116
(6875 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Interesting question, but my vote for most famous skydiver in the minds of whuffos would probably go to D.B.Cooper.
quade (D 22635)
Moderator
Nov 28, 2002, 5:41 PM
Post #4 of 116
(6872 views)
Shortcut
Re: [AndyMan] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Quote:
My vote goes to Troy Hartman. . . . . were all seen by millions.
If that's the criteria, then maybe I'll switch my vote to B.J. Worth. All those Bond films ought to count for something.
I still don't think many whuffos would know his name though.
So, I think I will stick with D.B. Cooper afterall.
(This post was edited by quade on Nov 28, 2002, 5:42 PM)
quade (D 22635)
Moderator
Nov 28, 2002, 5:44 PM
Post #5 of 116
(6866 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Quote:
Rumor has it that Mitch was the inspiration for 'Macho Mitch' in an issue of the famous Playboy 'Li'l Annie Fanny' cartoon in which annie learns to skydive... I think Macho Mitch followed Annie down after a bad spot and ended up having to console her...
You don't happen to have a copy of that article/cartoon would you? Anybody? Anybody? Beuller? Beuller?
I'm working on it. Actually, my GF is. Gimme a few days.
Playboy, Ferris Bueller, AndyMan. All in Chicago.
_Am
(This post was edited by AndyMan on Nov 28, 2002, 10:33 PM)
TomAiello (D 22400)
Moderator
Nov 28, 2002, 10:56 PM
Post #7 of 116
(6835 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
How about Felix "God of the Skies" Baumgartner?
Whatever else you may think of him, the man is a marketing genius. I'd bet that outside the US, he's the best known (to non-jumpers) skydiver around at the moment. I bet Troy has him inside the U.S., though.
All time? I think I'm going with DB Cooper. Or maybe Paul Quade. Now that guy is famous.
quade (D 22635)
Moderator
Nov 28, 2002, 11:12 PM
Post #8 of 116
(6832 views)
Shortcut
Re: [TomAiello] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Famous and infamous are two different things. (I think.)
Famous and infamous are two different things. (I think.)
Yes, unlike inflammable and flammable....
Fame/Famous Great reputation and recognition. Renown. Public esteem. (positive use generally, as in s/he is well known and/or liked.)
Infamy/Infamous Having an exceedingly bad reputation, notorious. Evil fame or reputation. (famous use of the word infamy...FDR: "A day that will live in infamy"referring to Pearl Harbor.).
DBCooper is infamous. Troy is famous. You are neither. (Teasing, Q...lest Alan, with his infamous reputation, should see this as a spurious or injudicious use of terms, thoughts, or poisoned pen commentary! )
Nov 28, 2002, 11:48 PM
Post #10 of 116
(6826 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Hmmm.....Famous, now thats a tricky one....We have to define 'Famous' and image outside the sport. I'm not even going to try that here...
As for being seen skydiving by the most people, BJ Worth has to be up there for all his Bond etc stunts, and the Olympic rings thing but Joe public don't normally check out who is actually performing the stunt...
Nov 29, 2002, 1:15 PM
Post #13 of 116
(6758 views)
Shortcut
Re: [nacmacfeegle] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Don't Patrick Swazey and Tom Cruise count?
I was talking to someone yesterday who said Tom Cruise called their house and wanted her hubby, the rigger, to pack his reserve. He said he was too busy. She was furious.
Nov 29, 2002, 8:01 PM
Post #15 of 116
(6717 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Many decades ago Johnny Carson made a "Harness Hold" Jump with Bob Sinclair,,,,,,60 second delay !!!!!! waaaaayyy before The advent of AFF skydiving... He wore a chest mount reserve and did well. The jump was aired on the Tonight Show in 1968 Of course the ex Pres.. George Bush the first,,,, did a couple as well... AFF,, out of a tailgate plane... Banged his head on the door, as he exited,,,, on one of them....most whuffos would remember the newspaper and cable TV coverage for that skydiver....
Nov 29, 2002, 9:56 PM
Post #17 of 116
(6700 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I'm surprised no one has mention kittinger so far. A lot of whuffo's I know mentioned his jump. although, I don't recall anyone remembering his name, and for that matter, knowing what altitude he bailed from. I usually get some absurd altitude like 20 miles, from the ones that mention it. But they do tend to remember he broke the sound barrier
Nov 30, 2002, 8:17 AM
Post #18 of 116
(6679 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Inside the skydiving community I would have to go with Jerry Bird, with BJ Worth a close second. For the general public I might go with Jonny Carson, although George Bush is a close second. My perspective is from 30 years in the sport.
Nov 30, 2002, 10:19 AM
Post #20 of 116
(6666 views)
Shortcut
Re: [darkwing] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
When I asked the question I was tending towards which 'experienced' skydiver, so I'd be more likely to accept Bob Sinclair as the instructor who was shown with Johnny Carson, then Carson himself... Sinclair was also on the 'Ripcord' tv series, so would have been pretty well known... and of course, the world population was smaller back then, so a smaller absolute number of fans could translate into a larger percentage of the earth;s population that would recognize him...
As for BJ Worth or Felix Baumgartner (as Tom A suggested), I might go with DAR ROBINSON... He was at one point the highest paid stuntman in film when he jumped the CN Tower (one of two or three times he jumped it)... And he was also one of the first to fly back and climb into an airplane after jumping out it... What do you think?
Nov 30, 2002, 10:24 AM
Post #21 of 116
(6665 views)
Shortcut
Re: [narcimund] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Good suggestion...
I understand Kittinger is also the one responsible for many legends of UFO activity and the myth, real or imagined, of a UFO crash near Roswell, NM, including allegations of clandestine night time military action and retrievals, coverups, and sightings of actual alien bodies in the area....
Skypuppy
(This post was edited by skypuppy on Nov 30, 2002, 10:25 AM)
Dec 2, 2002, 3:31 PM
Post #22 of 116
(6558 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
joe kittinger jumped from a balloon in 1960 for the military over new mexico. it was a major event for space research. without that jump, who knows if spacesuits wouldve been created and tested adequately for the '69 moon landing. that guy must have a wheelbarrow to carry his balls on! look up the time magazine article from august 1960, very interesting reading. speed of sound freefall!
Dec 2, 2002, 3:57 PM
Post #23 of 116
(6551 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
How many people have seen Bill Booth's mug before a skydive? I'd be willing to bet he is one of the more famous skydivers known by face anyway to the general public...
Dec 2, 2002, 6:52 PM
Post #24 of 116
(6525 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Sebazz1] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Quote:
I'd be willing to bet he is one of the more famous skydivers known by face anyway to the general public...
Or is that because he's often been confused for a lost member of ZZ-Top?
Acutally, I can't even count the number of Tandem Students who have said something along those lines before we tell them how important he is in our sport.
Dec 3, 2002, 10:41 AM
Post #29 of 116
(4062 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I vote for Bob Sinclair! He is so great. He also taught Julie Newmare (spelling problem) how to skydive. Julie was Cat Woman on the old Batman series for all you young pups.
Bob has hours of video of commercials and other tv shows he did.
Dec 3, 2002, 1:38 PM
Post #30 of 116
(4052 views)
Shortcut
Re: [AndyMan] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
Quote:
Anybody? Beuller? Beuller?
I'm working on it. Actually, my GF is. Gimme a few days.
Playboy, Ferris Bueller, AndyMan. All in Chicago.
_Am
So, this is AndyMan's GF making her first post (hi everybody, nice to meetcha). Lucky for him that I work at the Chicago Historical Society, which houses in its collections some 30 yrs of assorted Playboy stuff.
I found the skydiving article: "Part Three: The Sky Dive" in the April 1978 (page 108) issue. It's part three of a five-article series called "Pushed to the Edge," in which writer Craig Vetter "puts his ass on the line for Playboy and faces his fear of fear" and lives to tell about it all.
The other articles are "Part One: The Ice Climb" (2/78), "Part Two: Jump!" (free-style ski jump, 3/78), "Part Four: The Wing Walk" (5/78) and "Part Five: The Cliff Dive" (6/78).
Anywho, upon quickly skimming the skydiving article, I see no mention of Mitch Decoteau. I've made a photocopy of it, but unfortunately I am not allowed to post a copy of the article here. I'd be breaking several copyright laws and probably a few CHS rules.
Could Mitch Decoteau be mentioned in another article from another month/year?
Oh, I also found the Little Annie Fanny cartoon in the May 1980 issue (page 289). Again, can't post it here, but if I end up getting a scan of it...well, I'll see what I can do!
Cheers, -P
quade (D 22635)
Moderator
Dec 3, 2002, 2:20 PM
Post #31 of 116
(4049 views)
Shortcut
Re: [craichead] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Dec 3, 2002, 2:35 PM
Post #32 of 116
(4042 views)
Shortcut
Re: [craichead] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I didn't know about the '78 articles...
Mitch Decoteau wasn't mentioned by name, but he was supposed to be the model for 'Macho Mitch' in the Li'l Annie Fannie cartoon you mentioned, which was, I believe, several pages long... I remember he did have a faint physical resemblance... Pity about the copyright issue... It was a great cartoon...
Dec 3, 2002, 3:42 PM
Post #33 of 116
(4029 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
Mitch Decoteau wasn't mentioned by name, but he was supposed to be the model for 'Macho Mitch' in the Li'l Annie Fannie cartoon you mentioned, which was, I believe, several pages long... I remember he did have a faint physical resemblance... Pity about the copyright issue... It was a great cartoon...
Skypuppy
The cartoon is quite good -- it's three pages long. I dunno what Mitch Decoteau looks like, but the guy in the cartoon bears a strong resemblance to Sylvester Stallone, namely his Rocky role. The Macho Mitch character says "Yo!" and "Aaayy!" quite a bit...
Will get a scan sometime this week or next week...promise. Email me.
Dec 16, 2002, 5:43 AM
Post #37 of 116
(3816 views)
Shortcut
Re: [howardwhite] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
Don't Patrick Swazey and Tom Cruise count?
I've heard and read a lot about those two skydiving in the past, but anyone know if they still jump (your comment about a repack seems to imply so for cruise)
There's a lot of famous folks bragging about 'skydiving', always wondering if they still jump or if it was only a one time kick..
Dec 18, 2002, 1:44 PM
Post #38 of 116
(3772 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Patric de Gayardon
The greatest skydiver ever.
FS Freefly Wing-suits Skysurfing BASE jumping
The general public knew him through his ads for Sector watches (like the time he flew into the grand canyon with his wingsuit). Or the time he BASE jumped the Angel falls with his Stiletto because he'd lent his BASE rig out. Also the first man to BASE jump wearing a wingsuit.
As an all-rounder and innovator, natural flyer and visionary I believe he was the greatest. He was only 38 when he died, imagine what he would've come up with if he was still alive today?
Some of the ripcord episodes are available from a guy in New Mexico. Big Mike had one Sunday at Spaceland and we watched it on the big screen. I'll get the address and PM you.
Dec 30, 2002, 10:04 PM
Post #40 of 116
(3692 views)
Shortcut
Re: [gemini] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
Some of the ripcord episodes are available from a guy in New Mexico. Big Mike had one Sunday at Spaceland and we watched it on the big screen. I'll get the address and PM you.
I'd love to get some of those as well. I just bought a Ripcord hardcover book on Amazon Auctions. It's a hoot! Having some of the tv episodes would bring back a lot of memories.
Dec 31, 2002, 8:12 AM
Post #41 of 116
(3676 views)
Shortcut
Re: [murrays] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Ironic - I just got a Ripcord book at an antique store for $5. It's very exciting!!!
I especially liked the chapter where Ted looked up into the sky and saw the Piper Cub flying around at 8000' and knew there was trouble!!! They jumped in their Cessna and caught up by jump altitude and Ted was able to snap onto the girl's harness as she was falling through the sky with her one and only chute streamering behind her!
Or how about when they jumped into the reservoir and blew the dam with dynamite in order to flood the valley and put out the forest fire!?!?
I'd love to get some of the episodes - I never saw one on tv - I was too young, I guess - altho I did see Lloyd Bridges in that Scuba show...
Dec 31, 2002, 10:04 AM
Post #42 of 116
(3668 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I can think of a few, and have trouble narrowing it down to one. I have a lot of respect for Jerry Bird. I used to jump with B.J. Worth before he got famous. (I'd like to think he'd still talk to me now.) I also have tremendous respect for Dan Brodsky and what he has done in the sport, but I've never even seen him in real life. And then there is Bill Von, Lisa, Sebazz, Clay, Sanquiro, and several others. I have trouble making decisions. Steve1
cpoxon (D 11665)
Moderator
Jan 4, 2003, 12:23 PM
Post #43 of 116
(3619 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Some years ago, Tony Ross serialised the book on rec.skydiving. Here are the links to the chapters:
Jan 10, 2003, 4:23 PM
Post #44 of 116
(3552 views)
Shortcut
Re: [craichead] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I'd love to get a copy of the cartoon. I remember many no-suit jumps organized by Mitch at Z-Hills in the late 70's early 80's. Some fondly, some........oh well.
I just picked up the Gypsy Moths DVD a few days ago. You might be able to rent it. Phone around to some of the local video shops.
The DVD includes a little documentary called "The Skydivers" about the jumpers and photographers. A very young Carl Boenish was the only one whose name I can recall without pulling out the DVD and watching it again. I haven't watched the movie yet but they did some pretty neat jumps that were shown in the documentary.
For a rigger like you that has a good knowledge of the history of gear it will be like visiting a museum. They show them packing rounds into sleeves...it's been over 20 years since I did that...and I can't believe how much work they were. I'd totally forgotten.
The DVD includes a little documentary called "The Skydivers" about the jumpers and photographers. A very young Carl Boenish was the only one whose name I can recall without pulling out the DVD and watching it again. I haven't watched the movie yet but they did some pretty neat jumps that were shown in the documentary.
Awesome DVD, I think it's a must-own. I watched "The Skydivers" from skydivingmovies.com, and then bought the DVD. Very cool, I was more surprised about how similar a lot of the stuff was as opposed to it being different.
Jan 30, 2003, 11:28 AM
Post #51 of 116
(2738 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skreamer] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
Patric de Gayardon
The greatest skydiver ever.
Yes! When I read the title of this thread that was the name that came up right away. Then I read all the posts and realized no-one was thinking outside the US. Besides there's a big difference between "most seen" and "most famous".
People from all over the world -both skydivers and whuffos- have seen Patrick on his board over the Alps or base jumping in the Sotano de las Golondrinas or with his wingsuit over the Grand Canyon, and do know his name and who he was. That is "being famous" to me.
Feb 18, 2003, 5:47 AM
Post #52 of 116
(2639 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
For me, the most famous and the model is Smaranda Braescu, a women that was called "Queen of heights" and that was a pioneer of skydiving. I hope I'm not boring... If you want to know more about her, there is an article at this link: www.airclub.rdsnet.ro/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=75
I would probably have to say Patric de Gayardon becasue i am new to skydiving and i think thats the first famous skydiver i ever heard about. Also my non-skydiving friend from italy had heard about him apparently he is lot better known in France/Italy. Also what about Adrian Nicholas, in the UK he has been on several tv programmes with his wing suit and Da VInci's parachute.
For me, the most famous and the model is Smaranda Braescu, a women that was called "Queen of heights" and that was a pioneer of skydiving. I hope I'm not boring... If you want to know more about her, there is an article at this link: http://www.airclub.rdsnet.ro/...e=article&sid=75
You are not boring. I did read the article. She did pretty amazing stuff for that age.
If one skydive counts, I would have to say Bush Sr, just because he is probably known more all over the world (even if they don't know he jumped) than any of those other celebrity jumpers.
I'm dating myself but, when I was active in the sport we had Jaques Istel (D-1) Steve Snyder (D-5) Jim Arender (D-13) Dick Fortenberry (D-18) Loy Brydon (D-38) Arender was famous as the "Camel Kid" and Dick Fortenberry was famous for winning the 1962 Word Championship. I've jumped with all of them and served in the Army with Fortenberry when he was a CWO-2 chopper pilot and Loy Brydon when he was CSM of 5th SFG.
May 23, 2003, 2:26 PM
Post #61 of 116
(2242 views)
Shortcut
Re: [mccordia] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Ach, wanneer je in Nederlandse spreekt... verzwak ik. Helaas, ben ik te oud voor je. Mijn andere held is Arie Luyendyk; alstublieft, te geven hem één kus, voor me.
--Dag, vriendje... kusJe
van die oud Hemel-Hagedis (SkyLizard)
Vijftigste verjaardag, volgende week... en gepensioneerd maar niet dood.
"Ah but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now." --Bob Dylan
Jun 12, 2003, 2:14 PM
Post #62 of 116
(2182 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skreamer] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Saw an ad in an old skydiving magazine (L&B and cypres) congratulating Patrick on breaking the altitude record without oxygen. Did a quick search and found this post by Mads Larsen confirming the record.
The more I find out about the man the more in awe I am - truly one of the greatest ever.
Jun 12, 2003, 10:02 PM
Post #63 of 116
(2162 views)
Shortcut
Re: [indigoSkye] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
Ach, wanneer je in Nederlandse spreekt... verzwak ik. Helaas, ben ik te oud voor je. Mijn andere held is Arie Luyendyk; alstublieft, te geven hem één kus, voor me.
--Dag, vriendje... kusJe
van die oud Hemel-Hagedis (SkyLizard)
Vijftigste verjaardag, volgende week... en gepensioneerd maar niet dood.
??? What the heck is THAT mess !!!
Ohhh....Man.... I musta got out over the wrong planet again!
Prince Charles did make a jump. He likely had a perfectly packed main, a perfectly packed reserve, and if they both happen to fail, he could have fluttered down to earth with his ears
Aug 8, 2003, 6:24 AM
Post #70 of 116
(1833 views)
Shortcut
Re: [TomAiello] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
How about Felix "God of the Skies" Baumgartner?
You stole my comment! And several months ago too! I'm sure Felix is the most famous skydiver/hang-glider at the moment... And there's no distinction between famous and infamous either, remember: "All publicity is good publicity".
Dec 14, 2004, 1:51 PM
Post #75 of 116
(1183 views)
Shortcut
Re: [airtwardo] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
Anybody have any old Playboys with the "Pushed To The Edge" series...
Where the writer did several different sports like racing cars, cliff diving and sky diving?!
I don't have them myself...but the Chicago Historical Society certainly does! I made a photocopy of the skydiving article, but I can't remember where I put it. It was a neat series, though...I'll see if I can find the dates of the articles again.
Dec 18, 2004, 10:55 PM
Post #84 of 116
(1848 views)
Shortcut
Re: [airtwardo] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
In reply to:
I didn't know he was a skydiver. Heard of his daddy doing a couple of jumps though...
Quote:
Actually the Daddy is the jumper...
GW a skydiver? Maybe a student skydiver but imo not a skydiver.
No politic's involved just the facts. imo a couple of AFF jumps doesn't make someone a skydiver. But that's just me. The goldens knights that jumped with him are the skydivers.
If GW the press and anyone else wants to call him a skydiver thats OK
GW Most famouse person to make a jump? In this country yes. skydiver you decide
R.i.P.
(This post was edited by slug on Dec 18, 2004, 10:58 PM)
I didn't know he was a skydiver. Heard of his daddy doing a couple of jumps though...
Quote:
Actually the Daddy is the jumper...
GW a skydiver? Maybe a student skydiver but imo not a skydiver.
No politic's involved just the facts. imo a couple of AFF jumps doesn't make someone a skydiver. But that's just me. The goldens knights that jumped with him are the skydivers.
If GW the press and anyone else wants to call him a skydiver thats OK
GW Most famouse person to make a jump? In this country yes. skydiver you decide
R.i.P.
Quote:
Real Name: No name entered. Nick Name: R.I.P. Location: Africa/Botswana Interests: Living Email: No email entered. Jump Profile Home DZ: None License Org: None Number of Jumps: 1 Years in Sport: 1 Disciplines of Choice: Style and Accuracy (1 jumps
He has made more jumps then you have or is your profile phoney?
How many jumps does it take to be a "Skydiver" 2, 5, 20 or 100?
Dec 19, 2004, 4:57 PM
Post #88 of 116
(1811 views)
Shortcut
Re: [piisfish] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
I had the same question. To me a skydiver has a minimum of 1 jump and landing with a solo rig.
Quote:
Then I would say ~ George Sr. most definitely qualifies!
Did we forget that back in WWII he bailed out of a shot up fighter bomber and spent the day floating in the Pacific...
waiting for 'ye ole Bubble Heads' to offer a ride?
Qualified in fact for a Caterpillar award...
Cut the old dude some slack... he DID try to do a couple AFF's on this last go around...but because of the high winds, the GK jumpmasters though it wise to stick to a couple Tandems instead...
Not bad for a multi-millionaire that's pushing 80!!!
Dec 23, 2004, 4:07 AM
Post #93 of 116
(1742 views)
Shortcut
Re: [mjosparky] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
How many jumps does it take to be a "Skydiver" 2, 5, 20 or 100?
"How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man?" "7!" "No dad... its a rhetorical question" "Rhetorical ehh....8!"
Seriously I don't think its a simple number, more a case of frequency. Again you can't say George Bush is a skydiver, but he has skydived. However he was a skydiver for a brief period, from the time he left the plane to the time he touched down he was a skydiver.
(This post was edited by Travman on Dec 23, 2004, 4:08 AM)
Dec 23, 2004, 4:25 PM
Post #94 of 116
(1719 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Travman] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
In reply to:
How many jumps does it take to be a "Skydiver" 2, 5, 20 or 100?
"How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man?" "7!" "No dad... its a rhetorical question" "Rhetorical ehh....8!"
Seriously I don't think its a simple number, more a case of frequency. Again you can't say George Bush is a skydiver, but he has skydived. However he was a skydiver for a brief period, from the time he left the plane to the time he touched down he was a skydiver.
Quote:
And THAT from a guy with 11 jumps, he knows!
I think being a skydiver is kind of like the Marines, you never 'retire'...!
They can't take it away from you.
I signed a lot of 1st jump certificates that stated the person named was indeed a "Skydiver" so I'll say;
Dec 27, 2004, 6:14 AM
Post #97 of 116
(1666 views)
Shortcut
Re: [mjosparky] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Quote:
How many jumps does it take to be a "Skydiver" 2, 5, 20 or 100?
I personally think that someone is a "skydiver" if they have control of their body in the sky. I normally think of people who have a B license but more towards a C license, are about at the stage where I think of them as a skydiver.
I only have 27 jumps and I think I am someone who skydives.
I think that tandems and AFF students are people who have skydived until they make it a regular thing.
Of course this is only my opinion, and like anything on this forum, everyone has their own opinion on this and I respect others may think one jump wonders are skydivers.
How many jumps does it take to be a "Skydiver" 2, 5, 20 or 100?
I personally think that someone is a "skydiver" if they have control of their body in the sky. I normally think of people who have a B license but more towards a C license, are about at the stage where I think of them as a skydiver.
I only have 27 jumps and I think I am someone who skydives.
I think that tandems and AFF students are people who have skydived until they make it a regular thing.
Of course this is only my opinion, and like anything on this forum, everyone has their own opinion on this and I respect others may think one jump wonders are skydivers.
Before that magic number are they jumpers making jumps? And then that means only skydivers make skydives?
Quote:
One entry found for skydiving.
Main Entry: sky·div·ing Pronunciation: -"dI-vi[ng] Function: noun : the sport of jumping from an airplane at a moderate altitude (as 6000 feet) and executing various body maneuvers before pulling the rip cord of a parachute - sky diver noun
Quote:
Main Entry: 2jum·per Pronunciation: 'j&m-p&r Function: noun Etymology: probably from English dialect jump jumper 1 : a loose blouse or jacket worn by workmen 2 : a sleeveless one-piece dress worn usually with a blouse 3 : a child's coverall -- usually used in plural
Nov 2, 2007, 7:02 AM
Post #101 of 116
(1043 views)
Shortcut
Re: [craichead] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
In reply to:
Mitch Decoteau wasn't mentioned by name, but he was supposed to be the model for 'Macho Mitch' in the Li'l Annie Fannie cartoon you mentioned, which was, I believe, several pages long... I remember he did have a faint physical resemblance... Pity about the copyright issue... It was a great cartoon...
Skypuppy
Cartoonist Harvey Kurtzman, one of the founders of Mad Magazine, rang me to say he wanted to do a Little Annie Fanny story around skydiving, and could he get a flavor of the sport at Z'hills? Well, sure, I said. Thus, though there's little physical resemblence, the character 'Macho Mitch' is indeed based on Mitch Decoteau, one of my senior RW instructors then, while I'm the bespectacled 'Hoofer' in the first two frames of the second page. The framed and autographed galleys of the piece sent to me by Kurtzman went up in smoke after I sold the 'Hills in 1984. (I'd sent someone around to pick up all the mementoes hanging on the walls of my office, but Mr Kabeller told him they were his now and to get off his drop zone. Nice.) Jim Hooper
Nov 3, 2007, 12:19 AM
Post #105 of 116
(895 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
In reply to:
Mitch must have got a bit of a razzing, too, didn't he?
Let's put things in perspective. Which would you rather be razzed for - being depicted as Sly Stallone getting L'il Annie Fannie, or as Hoofer? I mean, really.
Nov 3, 2007, 8:21 AM
Post #107 of 116
(865 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Jim_Hooper] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Anybody remember the "Push to the Edge" series in Playboy?
A bunch of articles written by Craig Vetter who tried and wrote about various 'sports', it was a 5 or 6 piece monthly thing....the best were the skydiving one, and the cliff diving one in which he chickened out thus ending the series.
I still HAVE all my old playboys from back then, 'course some of the pages are kinda stuck together...
Nov 3, 2007, 5:05 PM
Post #109 of 116
(827 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Interesting idea? Why doesn't someone do a book with pictures and dates of all of the famous skydivers who have done these amazing jumps. I don't mean Cooper or moviestars, but real skydivers - a portrait/picture book with short storys about each diver. I would buy the book and I bet lots of people would.
Nov 4, 2007, 5:12 AM
Post #110 of 116
(789 views)
Shortcut
Re: [kkeenan] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Nice likeness, Jim. That would certainly put you in the running for "most famous"... Well, Kevin, that raises the question of most famous "what"? There might be a range of opinions.
For another article in a high profile publication, I direct your attention to the attachment. After Don Sider, a Time magazine staff writer, passed through Z'hills, I wrote to him to suggest an article on the upcoming Turkey Meet, evoking a D-Day-like image of eight or more DC-3s/C-47s/Lodestars wreathed in blue-gray smoke as they fired up in the morning, followed by a sky filled with canopies until the sun slipped below the horizon. This was enough for Don to corner Time's editor and convince him it had the potential of a punchy piece. The reference to the aprés-jump lighting up of exotic herbs didn't go down particularly well with the city council but, all in all, it was a positive take on the sport by a talented correspondent and enthusiastic skydiver. Hoop
(This post was edited by Jim_Hooper on Nov 4, 2007, 6:00 AM)
Nov 5, 2007, 11:54 AM
Post #113 of 116
(660 views)
Shortcut
Re: [skypuppy] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Damn, I didn't see my name anywhere.
I quit jumping from about 76 to around 2000 so I missed out on some famous skydivers. I always thought of Jerry Bird as the king though.
I've got a ton of respect for Bob Sinclair.
And then there is Skratch Garrison.
B.J. Worth was a friend I jumped with in the early 70's. He wasn't famous then. He since went on to do all kinds of famous stuff. So, he'd probably get my vote now....
Nov 5, 2007, 1:03 PM
Post #114 of 116
(649 views)
Shortcut
Re: [steve1] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
I can't believe I didn't think to mention Skratch Garrison! When I graduated AFF and working on my A license, he was an incredible mentor to me while I was a jumper at Mile Hi Skydiving in Longmont, CO.
I remember when he and I both had our first jump on brand new canopies. We manifested to be on the same load and did a "clear and pull" together. That was also the jump when he taught me how to spot.
Nov 13, 2007, 6:03 AM
Post #116 of 116
(515 views)
Shortcut
Re: [Johnsisland] Most famous skydiver...
[In reply to]
Can't Post
Not to take anything away from her, but in her day I don't think she was that well-known or special. Some of her contemporaries, now, might qualify.
Leslie Irving, for one, who created an industry out of parachuting that has lasted till now.
Or Rodman Law, who jumped from the Statue of Liberty, New york's Banker's Trust building, and the George Washington Bridge, all in 1912, with one of Leo Steven's chutes. Also tried to ride a rocket up high enuf to parachute down, but it blew up on the ground. Also was the second person to jump from airplane (ever) and the 1st from a hydroplane.
ZZTopSkydiveLawyer.jpg
I'm sure Felix is the most famous skydiver/hang-glider at the moment... And there's no distinction between famous and infamous either, remember: "All publicity is good publicity".
TimeMagazine.doc
