Safety has always been a priority for the United States Parachute Association and its predecessor organizations, National Parachute Jumpers-Riggers Inc. (1946-1957) and the Parachute Club of America (1957-1967).

Since the development of the sport in the last decade is largely the stuff of YouTube videos, let’s talk about what’s next. Where’s wingsuiting going in the future?

We’ve all done it. You’re staring out the plane door, ready to exit after the group in front of you, and you know you’re supposed to look for certain things. But you’re excited, and your mind goes blank.

In the beginning, there was accuracy or, as it was called at the time, “spot jumping.”

In honor of USPA’s 75th anniversary, Niklas Daniel, D-28906, of AXIS Fight School captured the striking photo that is the centerspread of this issue of Parachutist.

Brought to you by Niklas Daniel and Brianne Thompson of AXIS Flight School at Skydive Arizona in Eloy. Images by Bruce Fournier.

In an effort to encourage technological innovation that advances our sport, USPA is holding a technology development contest in conjunction with its exhibit at the Parachute Industry Association Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 30-September 3.

In May, Lee Baney, D-10487, received the USPA Regional Achievement Award for the Central Region during a ceremony at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1946, when legendary exhibition jumper Joe Crane founded National Parachute Jumper-Riggers Inc., he brought with him a licensing system for parachutists that he had earlier originated.

One night, as you’re reading a bedtime story to your young parachute, it will inevitably want to know the answer to the question, “Where did I come from?” A responsible parachute owner had better be ready with the answers.

It was a beautiful spring morning at my beloved DZ, Skydive the Ranch in Gardiner, New York. The air was cool and crisp, and the sky was cloudless. I was doing wingsuit hop-and-pops from 10,000 feet with the hope of generating interest in this new-at-the-time discipline.

Many members wonder what USPA does exactly, not only as an organization, but also for its members. Well, since USPA turns 75 this month, what better time to share how the organization works and where it’s headed from here?

Gotta say, this is an exciting issue of Parachutist. Although you’re not going to find much about what went on in the past month in the skydiving world, you are going to find a wonderful look back at a 75-year history of our organization.

Without Jacques-André Istel, the sport of parachuting would not be what it is today.