Congratulations to Chris Needels who was unanimously selected to receive the 2009 USPA Lifetime Achievement Award, USPA’s highest honor.

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Hank Simbro, D-63, passed away on Friday, 1-22-2010 at Clark Fork, Idaho. He did most of his jumping at the Lancaster, Taft and Arvin DZ's in Southern California.

Hank’s wife, Muriel D-78, was a member of the 1962 U.S. Women's Parachute Team.

The family has requested that donations be sent in Hank’s name to the the National Skydiving Museum, 5401 Southpoint Centre Blvd. Suite 702, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 or online at www.skydivingmuseum.org.

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Gary G. Pond, born into a skydiving family and an active skydiver for decades, died Jan. 27, 2010 of cancer at his home in Orange, MA.

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March 31, 2010 deadline

Recent changes to Federal Aviation Regulation 61.19(g) state that the holder of a paper pilot certificate issued under Part 61 may not exercise the privileges of that certificate after March 31, 2010.

Airmen must request and be issued a plastic airmen certificate from the FAA, either online or by mailing in the proper form.

There is a $2 charge for each certificate issued.

This regulation does not apply to student pilot certificates or temporary certificates.

The $2 fee is waived if, at the same time, you request your Social Security number be removed as your certificate number.

See: www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/certificate_replacement/

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David Theodore Barish, aeronautical engineer and parachute inventor, died on December 15, 2009 in New York City. He was 88.

His family announced his death, which was the result of Multiple Myeloma.

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Loy Brydon, 77, died unexpectedly October 25, 2009 at his home in Tucson, Arizona. Loy is survived by his children Kenny, Kevin, Ty and Hugh (Patti), grandchildren Beth, David, Stephanie and Rosemary, great granddaughter Tristin and his siblings Beverly Sanderson & Lee Brydon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Mark. He will be missed by all, including Sarah, his Weimariner and Tee Taylor, his ex-wife and best friend.

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Fredericksburg, VA - At its June business meeting Sunday, June 14, 2009 in Raeford, North Carolina, the National Skydiving Museum finalized its slate of trustees who begin their service immediately.

The governing body of the National Skydiving Museum, the Board of Trustees manage the affairs of the museum. The Board shall consist of no greater than twelve or fewer than three persons each customarily serving three-year terms. In November 2009, the Board hired a part-time administrator who assists in this task serving as the agent of the museum on behalf of the Board.

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FREDERICKSBURG, VA – A new website offering a glimpse into plans and progress of the National Skydiving Museum in Fredericksburg is now available. The new website, www.skydivingmuseum.org introduces the museum’s new identity with three “swooping” skydivers boldly displayed in red, deep blue and yellow. The site also connects with the skydiving industry through an interactive forum where visitors can share information about various aspects within the sport of skydiving.

According to Lenny Potts, president of the museum’s board of trustees, the new website is the next natural step in the process to create an identity for the museum. “Our vision is to create a state-of-the-art facility preserving the history of skydiving. In today’s technologically advanced society, we realize that our website will become “the face” for the museum so we want to use this opportunity to capture and share with visitors the history and fascination of one of mankind’s most exciting endeavors. This site truly offers something for everyone even remotely interested in the sport of skydiving.”

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FREDERICKSBURG, VA -- The National Skydiving Museum is pleased to announce that it has hired Nancy Kemble as its first Museum Administrator. Nancy comes to the Museum with extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector having worked for the past twenty years in public relations and events management with various chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Since moving to Virginia in 2007, Nancy has been doing free-lance marketing for numerous organizations including the Charlottesville multiple sclerosis chapter and Smith-Midland Corporation in Midland, VA.

Among Nancy’s initial responsibilities will be to manage a $5 million capital building fund raising campaign so that construction can begin on the museum in the SouthPoint Centre, an ideal site along the I-95 corridor. The Museum has already acquired the land through a generous grant from the W. J. Vakos Company as well as donations from Museum Trustees and numerous organizations and individuals. The Museum will be situated adjacent to the U.S. Parachute Association where Nancy’s office will be housed until construction of the Museum is complete.

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