airtwardo 6 #1 June 19, 2005 http://www.pantagraph.com/stories/061705/new_20050617015.shtml Oldest club in Illinois.... "Jumpin' Jack" Tillman ~quoted in the article is amazing... he's gotta be pushing 80 and jumps every weekend! Rigger & Pilot....& member of a certain demo team I'm very familiar with! Jack is in the back row left... ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #2 June 19, 2005 Team colors.. RED... hmmm I likee Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwampThing 0 #3 June 19, 2005 Took a few tries with that link? Skydiving club one of oldest By Sharon Tackett [email protected] MINIER -- Illinois Valley Parachute Club may not be the biggest such club around, but co-founder Jack Tillman says it's one of the oldest and safest. The club is open to newcomers interested in learning to skydive. The next jump day is Saturday. Using old military equipment, Tillman and his brother Bill formed club in 1962. It originally was based at the old Pekin Airport. "There were no rules and regulations at the time we started the club," said Jack Tillman. "It's amazing we made it through without serious injury before the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) stepped in and established rules." "The parachutes in those days didn't have much control. There were trees and people around and we jumped anyway and made it through," he said. The club moved to the Minier site in 1972. It's two miles west of Minier on the Mackinaw Blacktop. Today it has 15 to 20 regular members. They are all trained for specific duties, including riggers who pack emergency parachutes and instructors who teach newcomers how to jump. The club also has experienced pilots to ensure safety. "Many parachute clubs have come and gone. Their safety records are not as good as ours due mainly to a larger volume of club members. Larger volume always creates more risk," said Ray McCammon, pilot coordinator for the club. The club has had no serious injuries in a long time, McCammon said. "Occasionally, we will have an ankle break but nothing serious, we pride ourselves on safety." "The opportunity to hurt yourself is always there," added McCammon. "The Minier club uses the latest techniques and equipment to ensure safety." Weather is also a big factor in parachuting safety, McCammon said. "If the wind gusts higher than 20 miles per hour, we don't go up," he said. The coaches for the club are certified by the United States Parachute Association. It takes four to six hours to train to jump. After training is completed, the student makes a solo jump from an altitude of about 3,500 feet. When exiting the plane, the student's parachute will open automatically. A radio-assisted parachute ride of about five minutes finishes the jump. Those interested in training to parachute must be 18 years old, have a photo ID and weigh less than 225 pounds. McCammon suggests students wear comfortable clothing, including athletic footwear. Those who wear glasses will need a strap. Jewelry and watches are discouraged. The next jump date for newcomers this summer will be Saturday. The course starts promptly at 8 a.m. Student jump prices are $100 for the first jump. "You are paying for the plane ride, not the jump," said Tillman. For reservations and information, contact the club at (309) 263-7610 or e-mail [email protected]. The Pessimist says: "It can't possibly get any worse!" The Optimist says: "Sure it can!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
