Articles - Page 27 - Dropzone.com

Garmin Announces New Virb X and Virb XE HD Cameras

Garmin have just announced two new action camera models that will be released this summer. The Virb X and the Virb XE are the latest attempt from the US founded company to establish themselves as more than just a sports equipment and navigation manufacturer. The original Garmin Virb action cam was released just less than two years ago, and showed that Garmin can do cameras too. After the release of the Virb, which was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews from both users and critics alike, they then introduced the Virb Elite, which added new functionality and recording options.
The new Virb X and Virb XE cameras seem to be quite a step up from the Virb Elite, and it appears that the duo is a response from Garmin to the GoPro Hero 4 series which was released last year. However, the focus of Garmin seems to be different to that of GoPro.
First thing we noticed, was the change in design from the original Virb cameras. Garmin have moved away from the flatter, elongated design that we saw in their first models and instead have adopted the more square approach, resembling that of the Sony and GoPro devices. In their press release Garmin brings attention to the flat lens cover in the front, aimed to help water in sliding off easier.
At this point, with the original Virb being released in 2013 - we decided not to focus on how Garmin has improved on its previous Virb - but rather with how it compares to one of the most popular modern action cams out there today, the mid-level GoPro Hero 4 Silver.
Recording vs Connectivity/Functionality
Many would have expected the new Virb X and Virb XE to support 4k video recording, as it's a direction where most action cam manufacturers seem to be focusing. However, the Virb X will only offer a maximum recording resolution of 1080p, while the Virb XE will allow for 1440p at 30fps. By comparison, the GoPro Hero 4 Silver offers users up to 15fps at 4K, 30fps at 2.7k and up to 48fps at 1440p - as well as offering the standard HD recording options.
Instead of focusing on increasing resolution, Garmin have put their trust in the development of connectivity and storage. Despite falling short on recording options both the Virb X and the Virb XE surpass the Hero 4 Silver in terms of connectivity and increased storage capability. Whether or not this will be as easy to sell as telling people that the camera can record 4k video, is yet to be seen, but perhaps Garmin is onto something. Despite the ability to record in 4k video, in every day practice it is not often that one will actually be able to make proper use of that resolution of recording, and most individuals still record at 1080p.
Of particular interest to skydivers, is the added ability to overlay recorded data through both standard camera functionality, as well as extra information which can be included through the connectivity between the camera and a sports device. This means that pitch and roll data, speed data, elevation and more can be recorded and overlaid onto the video. See the video below for a demonstration of what is available with the new Virb cameras.
Unlike the Hero 4 Silver, both of the new Virb cameras will come with GPS built in. Both the Virb and Virb XE will take Micro-SD cards, and support up to 128GB cards. Both the earlier Virb Elite and the GoPro Hero 4 Silver support up to 64GB cards, so the fact that the new Garmin cameras can handle double the storage space, will definitely be marked as a big positive by many.
Other noteworthy functionality:
The inclusion of a gyroscope based accellerometer is another feature that is not present in a lot of the other action cameras currently on the market.
Both the Virb X and the Virb XE will also be waterproof to 50m, without needing any additional casing.
Both cameras will have multi-camera live control and preview for up to 10 cameras.
ANT+ connectivity

Pricing
On paper it appears as though the Virb X and Virb XE are going to be valid choices to look at when looking to buy one of the new action cameras on the market. They look good, offer some great functionality and did I mention that they were well priced?
The Virb X will retail for just $299 while you'll need to drop $399 for the Virb XE.
Final Thoughts
Despite being stuffed with great new connectivity and some nifty new features, there are some questions

raised over the choice to stick to limited recording options for both cameras. Currently the Virb X offers

very limited options even for recording in 1080p in comparison to its competition. The Virb X offers only 25 and

30fps at 1080p, where we would have liked to see 60fps being offered. Similarly, Garmin could have really

put their foot down by offering 4k recording on the Virb XE.
Because of the low price though, if 4k recording isn't on your list of priorities but you find yourself

wanting the flexibility of being able to shoot at 1080p/60fps, the Virb XE can offer you that.
The real test is yet to come when subjects like how it handles transition between lighting conditions, low

light noise levels and video quality can be tested hands on.
Compare the Virb X, Virb XE and GoPro Hero 4 Silver

Feature
Garmin Virb X
Garmin Virb XE
GoPro Hero4 Silver

Wifi
Yes
Yes
Yes

Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Yes

Accellerometer
Yes
Yes
No

Preview Screen
No
No
Yes

GPS
Yes
Yes
No

Recharge Method
USB
USB
Mini-USB

Recording Time
2 Hours
2 Hours
2 Hours

Storage Type
Micro-SD
Micro-SD
Micro-SD

Maximum Storage Size
128GB
128GB
64GB

4K Recording
No
No
12.5/15 fps

2.7k Recording
No
No
24/25/30 fps

1440p Recording
No
30 fps
24/25/30/48 fps

1080p Recording
25/30 fps
24/25/30/48/50/60 fps
24/25/30/48/50/60 fps

960p Recording
25/30 fps
50/60/100 fps
50/60/100 fps

720p Recording
25/30/50/60 fps
25/30/50/60/100/120 fps
35/50/60/100/120 fps

WVGA Recording
120 fps
240 fps
240 fps

Camera Megapixels
12 MP
12 MP
12 MP

Burst Mode
10 p/sec
30 p/sec
30 p/sec

Sport Computer Control
Yes
Yes
No

ANT+ Connectivity
Yes
Yes
No

Sport Data Overlay
Yes (Garmin Apps)
Yes (Garmin Apps)
No

Phone Remote Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Yes

Multi-Cam Control
Up to 10 Cams
Up to 10 Cams
No

USB Connection
USB
USB
Mini-USB

Micro-HDMI
No
No
Yes

Price
$299
$399
$399

By admin, in Gear, April 14, 2015

Alti-Force Sensor Pack - GoPro Addon

With the increased popularity of action cameras over recent years it's not surprising that we've seen an increase in the manufacturing of third party hardware that makes use of the GoPro camera to add additional value to users. Hypoxic recently released their Turned On product, which allows skydivers to see whether or not their camera is recording or whether there's any errors, without having to ask their buddy.
The company Alti-Force has just released a product of their own that attaches to the GoPro camera and like the Turned On device, will seek to add some extra value to skydivers. When in use the Alti-Force Sensor Pack will be able to overlay information about your flight over the video. The device is able to record and display both altitude and the acceleration/G-Force of your jump.
The visual representation of Gs can be useful for those looking to maximize performance, by using the information to identifcal optimum body positioning and technique.
Features

Subtitled video playback for your GoPro® camera
Altitude subtitles selectable as feet or meters
Acceleration G-force subtitles selectable as X-Y-Z axes or total magnitude
Compatible with GoPro® Hero4 Black and Silver, Hero3+ Black and Silver, or Hero3 Black
Fits in GoPro® cases with BacPac™ backdoor² (not included)
Compatibility

GoPro® Hero3 Black – YES – firmware v03.00
GoPro® Hero3+ Silver – YES – firmware v02.00
GoPro® Hero3+ Black – YES – firmware v02.00 | v03.00*
GoPro® Hero4 Silver – YES – firmware v02.00.00
GoPro® Hero4 Black – YES – firmware v02.00.00
All efforts will be made to maintain compatibility with future firmware versions but cannot be guaranteed

*v03.00 disables camera’s USB mode, use of memory card reader is required
Any that support .SRT subtitle files (check your player’s specifications)

Includes most TVs and VLC media player (for all OS platforms)
Video must be played via USB mode or memory card reader
If copied off camera, video .MP4 and subtitle .SRT files must be copied to same location
Note: Windows® Media Player and QuickTime do not support .SRT subtitles
Camera Modes
The Alti-Force Sensor Pack records data/subtitles in Video Mode only.
All standard video resolutions and frame rates are supported.
The Alti-Force Sensor Pack does not support Time Lapse and Looping video modes, and is disabled in all Photo modes.

Mechanical
Size: 2.36 x 1.38 x 0.40 in (60 x 35 x 10 mm)
Weight: <1 oz (18 g)
Electrical
Standard camera voltage: 3.6v (powered from camera)
Minimal current draw: <2 mA typical
Accelerometer
Tri-axial | ± 16 G’s | 0.1 G resolution
Barometer
Absolute Pressure: 300 to 1100 mbar | ~0.1 mbar resolution
Altitude range: -2000 to 30,000 feet | 1 ft resolution
Pressure to Altitude conversion assumes standard conditions.
Sampling RateHero 3/3+: approx 4.5 samples per second
Hero 4: approx 6.5 samples per second
Subtitle Settings
Altitude: Feet | Meters | Both | None
Acceleration: XYZ axes | Total magnitude | All | None
G-bar: On | Off
Temperature: °F | °C | None
— Additional options —
Data CSV file (saves all raw sensor values): On | Off
Altitude offset: Feet only
More information on the Alti-Force Sensor Pack can be found on the Alti-force website.

By admin, in Gear, April 2, 2015

1st FAI World Cup of Wingsuit Performance Flying

This year the stars aligned to bring the right people to the right place at the right time. The result was official FAI recognition of Wingsuit Competition for Performance and Acrobatics disciplines. Then without any loss of momentum, the announcement of the 1st FAI World Cup of Wingsuit Performance Flying to be held in the UK this year. This competition is now just a few weeks away. If this is the first you’ve heard of it and want to get in on the action then you need to act fast and continue reading.
IPC Plenary in Bulgaria 2015
Wingsuit competitions have been around for many years. In January this year, the IPC were presented the highly developed competition formats for both Performance and Acrobatics for consideration. The IPC delegates voted in favour of adopting both sets of rules and also unanimously accepting the bid for the UK to host the first Wingsuit World Cup. We now have an IPC Wingsuit Committee, can declare World Champions and set new World Records!
The Event
On the 25th May 2015 the Wingsuit World Cup will commence at the World’s longest continually operated airfield. This is located just a few miles from the historic site of Stonehenge on the outskirts of the small Wiltshire village, Netheravon, UK. It will be hosted by the Army Parachute Association, a not-for-profit skydiving club who have successfully run this competition with the same format for the last three years. Athletes from all over the World are currently making travel arrangements for their opportunity to represent their country on the world stage.
As a recently recognised World Cup event the opportunities to set new world records are to be amongst the main attractions. Top of the billing however is a chance to be immortalised as the first FAI World Cup Champion of Wingsuit Performance Flying.
The goal of this competition is to find the flyer with the best all-round performance flying capability using Time, Distance and Speed tasks. A fixed competition window of 3300ft (1000m) is used, measured using a Flysight GPS logger and evaluated using the Paralog software which provides real-time results on-line.
In 2014 there were 20 competitions and over 300 participants worldwide. New to 2014 was a World Series incorporating four events held in the UK, Hungary, Germany and the USA. The World Series 2014 winner was declared following the USA competition in Lake Elsinore last October and is the organiser of this inaugural World Cup.
The outline programme for the 2015 World Cup is as follows:

Sat-Sun 23-24th May
All Day
DZ Open as normal for early registration and practice

Mon 25th
08:00

All day

17:00

Judges’ Conference & Start of Judges’ Training Course

Arrival of Delegations, Registration, Practice Jumps until 15:30

Opening Ceremony

Tue-Thu 26-27th May
All Day
Competition days. First call 07:00, competition continues until sunset.

Fri 29th May
07:00

All day

18:00

20:00

Last Competition jump take-off at 14:30

End of Judges’ Training Course at 16:00

Closing Ceremony

Banquet and Evening Celebration at The Stones Hotel

How to get involved
Competitors should read the official Bulletin by following the links below and then contact their country’s national governing body to apply to enter. The deadline for preliminary registrations is 25th March but there is still some time as final registration is not due until 25th April 2015.
All other enquiries about participating or exhibiting at the event should be made directly to the organiser whose contact details are also listed below.
Thank you
This article isn’t long enough to credit all the people who have made this happen. You know who you are, you’ve made history, now let’s fly!
Links
FAI Website: http://www.fai.org/ipc-news/39178-wingsuit-performance-flying

Organiser Webpage: www.netheravon.com/wswc2015 (Registration, Bulletin and Rules)

Competition Rules: http://www.fai.org/fai-documents (Sporting Code Section 5)

Organiser contact details: Jackie Harper can be reach via email at: [email protected]

By admin, in News, March 24, 2015

Squirrel Aura 2 Pre-Orders and Teaser

By admin, in Gear, March 20, 2015

Skydiver Suffers Seizure During AFF Jump

Christopher Jones, a 22 year old from Perth, Australia - has found himself in the spotlight of news agencies over the past 24 hours. On 1 March 2015, Christopher uploaded a video to Youtube of him suffering a seizure during his 5th level of AFF training at WA Skydiving Academy. According to him, the video was originally recorded about 3 months ago but due to travelling, he only got around to uploading it now. Within 24 hours of uploading the video had received over 2.5 Million views and been picked up by news centers around the world.
In the video, you can see Christopher Jones being assisted by his instructor, Sheldon McFarlane - as he gets his foot placing in the right position for his exit. After exiting the aircraft, he is seen establishing his body position and things seem to be going well, but soon Mr Jones, who was described by the Dropzone Chief Instructor as "The perfect student" up until this point, begins to lose control of his body position.
Instructor Heroics Gets Main Deployed at 4000 feet
McFarlane, who while unaware of the fact that the problem was a siezure, could see that Mr Jones was in trouble, and began an attempt to get close enough to him so that he could help in the release of his parachute. After a failed first attempt, Mr Jones is seen gaining speed, plummeting towards earth. Despite the difficulty in catching up with the student's speed, McFarlane then managed to grab a hold of him and release his [parachute, at around 4000 feet.
When interviewed about the incident, McFarlane stated that even though he knew that the AAD would deploy, he wanted to ensure that the student had as much time under parachute as possible. This proved to be a wise choice and Mr Jones regained consciousness at 3000 feet, allowing for him to gain control and in turn safely land his canopy.
While AADs deploy vast majority of the time, there have been incidents where the AAD has failed, and getting the chute deployed manually will almost always take preference over relying on the automatic activation device.
Questionable Medical Clearance
Mr Jones has had a history of seizures in the past. Originally wanting to become a pilot, Jones had to put that dream aside due to his epilepsy.
A doctor-issued medical statement is required before one is able to begin AFF training. Mr Jones' specialist gave him the all clear for his training, with Jones not having suffered any seizures for four years prior to this incident, a subject that has caused some debate of its own, with many doctors feeling as though skydiving would be an activity that no epilepsy sufferer should partake in, due to the risks.
Unfortunately with the occurrence of this incident, he will no longer be able to continue his skydiving career, for obvious reasons.
While seizures can be unpredictable and occur at any time, stress is thought to play a role in many cases. Naturally undergoing a skydiving program where not only are you aware of the safety risks, but also have the added pressure of passing or failing your level progression, stress will almost always be heightened.

By admin, in News, March 1, 2015

Teaching Students To Navigate The Landing Pattern

A skydiver at the Oklahoma Skydiving Center pointing out their landing pattern. Image by Corey Miller
When we teach students how to skydive, the lessons do not just stop after the first jump course. One important skill all skydivers need to know is how to navigate through the landing pattern. I have heard instructors refer to talking to students on the radio as “remote controlled skydiving” because they guide the student where they want them to land, and they tell the student every turn to make. If we are supposed to teach our students how to pilot their canopy, then we must ask ourselves, “How is this enabling the student to learn?” In this article I will discuss a method of teaching the student how to pilot their canopy that is not only easy to use, but also allows the instructor on the radio to remain in control if the student needs additional guidance while descending under canopy.
Teaching the student piloting skills starts in the classroom. Of course we teach the students the SOPs and to make sure they have a canopy that is Square, Stable, and Steerable; but now what? Do we just give directions to the student over the radio? Realistically, for the student who just opened their canopy for the first time we, as instructors, will probably have to do that. The student has emotions of excitement and fear going through their mind while adrenaline is going through their body. This mixture can make anyone confused, so don’t be surprised if the first time in the landing pattern you are flying a “remote controlled skydiver”. Having said that, let’s discuss how we are going to teach the student to navigate the pattern and eventually, be removed from radio status. I like to start this process with a laminated picture of the landing area and a grease pencil.
With a laminated picture the instructor should sit down with the student and first, have the student draw an arrow showing the direction of the wind. Now we know that the student is aware of the wind direction and we do not have to assume that they do. Next, have the student point out where their “playground” is going to be. For those who do not use the term “playground” that is the area where the student can fly their canopy, while they are descending to the proper altitude to enter the landing pattern. Next, have the student make a mark showing where they will enter the downwind part of the landing pattern and at what altitude this is supposed happen. This is the time the instructor can discuss at what altitude to leave the playground and to start thinking about the landing procedures they covered during the first jump course. Additionally, let the student know that next time things could be different due to wind direction and speed. Next have the student show where, and at what altitude, to make their turn for the base leg of the landing pattern.
Since an aerial picture of the drop zone is be used, the instructor can point out hazards and landmarks at this point. For me, I like to point out a grass runway at the drop zone and to tell students not to go pass it figuring it is better for them to have to walk back a little bit than to risk getting too close to the hanger or the active taxiway. Finally, have the student show where, and at what altitude, the final turn would be.
At this point the instructor should reiterate the importance of the wind sock, what altitude to stop turns and to do only small corrections, and of course, when to flare. Since the student is making marks on a laminated picture, it is a good training aid to keep and to use when debriefing the student after the jump. The instructor can point out how the plan and the actual landing pattern were different. The instructor then can talk about how safety could have been affected and discuss a plan for improvement. After the debriefing the student, just wipe the photo clean and use it for the next student. Now, let’s talk about our first jump student some more.
When teaching a first jump student, I do not advocate going through all of this in great detail on their first jump. Instead, have them look at the picture. Ask them about where they would want to be at 1,000 feet. Where would they turn for the base leg and final leg of the landing pattern? If we, as instructors, get into too much detail for the first jump the student can have a sensation overload and forget everything. Additionally, a sensation overload could make the experience less enjoyable and possibly hinder the chances for repeat business and some good word of mouth advertising. By just showing them what will be happening we can reduce the student’s anxiety by reducing their fear of the unknown. Additionally, if there should be a radio failure while the student is under canopy, having shown them on a photo of the landing zone and discussed where they should be in relationship to various ground features we have just increased the chances for the student to land safely.
Author Bio:

Corey Miller is a C rated skydiver who held both coach and IAD instructor ratings. He holds a Master in Aeronautic Science degree with specialties in Teaching and Human Factors. He currently works as an Instructor/Quality Assurance Inspector in the Aerospace Industry. He calls the Oklahoma Skydiving Center his home DZ.

By coreyangel, in General, February 26, 2015

Marketing To The Millennials

Have you ever been at a restaurant and observed a group of people not speaking to one another because everyone was staring at their phones? The age group most likely to be "engaging" this way are people born between the years 1980 and 1996 - the Millennial generation.
There’s a lot of good news about Millennials for the skydiving industry (for example, they put experiential value ahead of ‘stuff’), but there's some bad news too: many of us haven't adjusted our marketing plan to capture the Millennial market. We've only just begun to dip our toes into the vast ocean of digital marketing which would enable us to meet Millennials where they are - online. Having a functional website and a Facebook page is no longer enough; to effectively reach this demographic, we need to be fully immersed in the channels they are using and understand why they use them.
Why You Need To Be Marketing To Millennials
Although skydiving caters to individuals between 16 (depending on your country) and 106, the number one target demographic for the skydiving industry is men and women between the ages of 25 and 34. Have a look at your Facebook Insights and you'll probably notice that the largest percentage of your fan base usually falls within this category. And this category fits squarely within the age range of the Millennial generation.
Love or hate their addiction to smartphones and tablets, there’s no denying that 18-34 year olds are an important segment, if not the MOST important segment of your customer base, and their influence is growing.
According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau, Millennials will surpass Baby Boomers as the largest living generation in 2015. In the U.S., Millennials are responsible for an estimated 1.3 trillion dollars in annual spending. This number will only increase as more Millennials reach their peak income earning years over the next two decades.
The future success of your business will depend in large part on your ability to properly market your services to the Millennial generation. As digital natives, the way Millennials interact, view, and engage with the world around them is completely different from previous generations. Their preferences are different, their values are different, and their spending habits are very different.
Companies who want to effectively tap into this growing demographic are going to have to embrace a completely new marketing strategy that takes these differences into account. In a recent report, “How Millennials Are Changing the Face of Marketing Forever,” The Boston Consulting Group outlines the ideal marketing strategy for capturing the Millennial generation. They call it reciprocal marketing and describe it as follows:
“Instead of being a process that is led and pushed by companies, modern marketing is an ecosystem that is influenced by some factors that a company can control and some that are beyond its control. It is a system in which marketers, customers, and potential customers perpetually exchange experiences, reactions, emotions, and buzz.”

How To Create An Effective Reciprocal Marketing Campaign
1. Be WHERE Your Customers Are
To effectively reach Millennials, companies must be present online and offline; they must have a strong mobile presence.
According to the Pew Research Center, roughly 83% of Millennials now own a smartphone. Of those, 50% report that their preferred device for accessing the internet is their smartphone. This means many of your potential customers are accessing your website on a mobile device.
Have you visited your website on a smartphone or tablet lately? How does it look? Is it easy to read and navigate, or do you have to constantly pinch and expand to see the text?
Millennials are the instant gratification generation - If your website is not responsive (meaning it automatically adjusts to fit any size screen or device), chances are they won't be sticking around for long, and you won't be getting their business.
2. EMBODY What Your Customers Aspire to Be
Millennials are looking to connect with brands that reflect their values and project who they aspire to be. What do Millennials value? Luxury, adventure, excitement, travel, and authenticity – to name a few. They describe their generation as tech savvy, modern, risk taking, rebellious, smart and humorous.
If you want to strike a chord with Millennials, make sure that your company’s messaging, imagery and personality reflect what they value. This shouldn't be too difficult - what could be more adventurous, exciting, authentic, and rebellious than skydiving?
And there's more great news for our industry: a recent poll found that Millennials place a higher value on life experiences than on physical possessions. In fact Millennials’ spending habits are the driving force behind the new “experience economy.” 78% of Millennials said they would rather spend money on a memorable experience than on an object; 72% indicated that they would likely spend more money on experiences than physical things next year; and 72% reported suffering from FOMO (fear of missing out), a condition that is driving them to engage in more experiences so they can “keep up” (i.e. post pictures and status updates of their exciting life experiences) with their social networks.
3. ENGAGE with Your Customers to Build Trust
If you want to build customer loyalty among Millennials, you must engage with them. Millennials desire to interact and share their experiences and opinions with companies through social media. Research indicates that recognition is extremely important to Millennials so when you open up a dialogue make sure you are prompt to reply to customers who engage with you. Make them feel as if they have a personal relationship with your brand.
Millennials are overwhelmingly skeptical. Only 19% believe people can be trusted. This means a company has to work hard to gain and maintain their trust. Authentic engagement via social media is one of the best ways to do this. When you build loyalty with Millennials who have already used your services, you encourage them to share their opinion of your company with their friends. And because Millennials’ purchasing decisions are largely influenced by friends and family, making your current customers brand advocates will reassure their social circle that you are a trustworthy company to do business with.
Social Media - Quick Facts
52% of Millennials follow/like their favorite brands online via social media channels.
Facebook is still by far the most popular social media channel with Millennials, but more users are engaging with multiple platforms daily.
Relevant platforms:
2014 Usage Statistics (18-29 years old)
Facebook = 87%
Twitter = 37%
Instagram = 53%

By admin, in General, February 19, 2015

Inches From Death - Near Plane Collision

By admin, in News, February 10, 2015

The 12th Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration Boogie

All Imagery by Raymond Adams What: Fitz Boogie 2015
Where: 168 Paulk Park Rd.
Fitzgerald,Ga 31750
When: March 19th - 22nd
Why: Great People, Great Vibe, Great Skydives
The St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Boogie is one of the few stand alone, off DZ, events left. It was born from the original idea Chris Spence had for a backyard boogie, originally held in Bolingbroke,Ga for several years on New Year’s and July 4th. Spence had access to a private airstrip across from his house and would bring in a Cessna 182 for the small events. After a day of jumping there would be food, a bonfire and the occasional adult beverage.
After several years, the event grew too popular to continue at the house. A new location was sought out and RoamingDZ was born. The event was held once in Perry,Ga. before the idea for the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Boogie came along shortly followed by the connection to the Dublin,Ga. location. The event thrived for many years in Dublin with attendance growing to over 350 by the third year. That same year the line-up of aircraft included two Casa's, a Caravan, a Pac-750, an Alouette helicopter and a Hot Air Balloon.
Tragedy struck the 4th year of the event when a canopy collision claimed the lives of Bob Holler and Danny Page. The decision was made to relocate the event after this tragedy as local politics made it impossible to enjoy the boogie as in previous years. If not for the support of many of Spence’s skydiving friends this would have been the end of the event.
The St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Boogie was held the following year in St.Marys,Ga and stands as the only event Spence has ever held on an active DZ.
Which brings us to the current location in Fitzgerald, GA. Suggested by a friend while driving around Georgia looking for a new location, Spence went to check out what was said to be the perfect place to have a boogie; and sure enough, it was.
The boogie venue boarders the east side of the Fitzgerald Municipal Airport and their 3000ft turf runway that doubles as the landing area for the skydivers. The area, known as Paulk Park, which includes a reception building that houses registration for the event, as well as check-in for the tandems and a full kitchen to keep all the jumpers well fueled. There are 25 full hookup RV slots as well as plenty of room for camping, on site showers, a washer and dryer, and a 10 acre swoop pond.

A large 40x80 packing tent is set up as well as private group/packing tents.
Pre Boogie starts on Monday the 16th this year with early arrivals and a fun laid back atmosphere through the setup. You can choose from cooking out with friends, hanging out around the campfires or heading to town for some good eats. We'll have a list of the best places to try.
The official start of the boogie is Thursday morning, but with this year’s response we might be able to get a few loads in the air on Wednesday. The boogie generally starts out kind of mild as people begin to arrive as they can, with Friday night bringing a huge influx. By Saturday morning registration is typically well over 200 and I highly expect it to approach 300 this year.
Over the years the event has acted as a meeting place for members of Dropzone.com, and there is currently a thread in the forums where users who plan to attend this year's event can place their name. Currently, there are more than 20 site members who plan to attend the 12th Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration Boogie

What's in store for this year?
So far the aircraft line-up includes: the Twin Otter from Skydive Atlanta, the Beech 99 from Skydive the Farm (this may to turn into an Otter), a JetRanger helicopter and a Hot Air Balloon. It's possible a third aircraft will be added.
We generally have organizers for most disciplines, and if you can't find an "organizer" I guarantee you can find someone to jump with because that's the kind of jumpers that come to Fitz.
Nightly bonfires are an annual tradition. Thursday night tends to be pretty laid back. Friday night features Robby Rob and friends on the mic for entertainment, kind of an open mic/bonfire sing along. Saturday night will have a live band, St. Patrick’s themed party costumes, the ever famous/infamous Stupid Human Skydiver Tricks and a manufacturers sponsored fund raising raffle.
Thanks goes out to the following manufacturers for providing raffle donations:
Aerodyne - $1,300 off a complete system

Chuting Star - to be announced, plus swag

Square1 - Gift Certificate and swag

Para-Gear - 2x $25 Gift certificates, plus Swag

Bevsuits - 25% off a Bevsuit

Compass & Crow Studios - $100 & $75 Gift Certificates!

Cookie - 50% off a G3 helmet voucher

iFly - Voucher for tunnel time good at any location

Peregrine Manuf. - $250 of upgrades / options on a new Glide

UPT - 2x 30% off base, 15% off options certificates

Sunrise Manufacturing - 2x 50% off Base price on a Wings

Mountain Khakis - to be announced.
Proceeds will be going to a breast cancer organization, yet to be determined. More information can be found at http://FitzBoogie.com/

By admin, in Events, February 4, 2015

WindGames 2015 Results

By admin, in Events, January 27, 2015

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