Howard White
1937-2012

Howie began jumping at Orange Sport Parachuting Center (later Jumptown) in 1965 and soon joined the instruction staff.

Museum treasurer Curt Curtis (left) is presented with the Stefan Banic Gold Medal for his many contributions to parachuting by fellow trustee Christopher Needels. The Stefan Banic Foundation award is named in honor of Slovak American Stefan Banic, an early parachute designer.

On Sunday, November 20, 2011 at Skydive Elsinore, Pat Moorehead celebrated his 80^th birthday by making 80 jumps!  It was an extra special day for the National Skydiving Museum as all donations collected for the event went to the museum's building fund.

Ted Strong, D-16
4/7/1936-10/14/2011

Ted Strong, D-16
4/7/1936-10/14/2011

A visionary from the beginning and a man with an enormous heart passed away on Friday. Ted Strong was inducted into the National Skydiving Museum's Hall of Fame in 2010, its inaugural celebration. Ted began parachuting in 1958 and trained jumpers at the US Military Academy at West Point until his discharge in 1961. That year, he founded Strong Enterprises, a manufacturer of parachute equipment now based in Orlando, Florida. Ted logged more than 4,900 jumps. A multiple patent holder, Strong designed and built the first tandem system (the most common method for introducing people to the sport) in 1984. Ted Strong will be dearly missed.

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced the four recipients of this year’s Wesley L. McDonald Elder Statesman of Aviation Awards. One of the recipients is the museum’s own Lenny Potts. Lenny serves as the president of the National Skydiving Museum Board of Trustees. Other recipients include General Jack Dailey, The Honorable James Coyne, and John Cashman, all who will be honored at the NAA Fall Awards Banquet on Monday, November 7 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

From his first parachute jump in 1952 to his current service on the National Skydiving Museum’s Board of Trustees, Leon “Lenny” Potts has dedicated himself to the skydiving and aviation communities for more than 50 years and continues to make a lasting impact today. He was instrumental in promoting the sport of parachuting by forming local clubs and associations, always stressing safety. He served with the U.S. Parachute Teams as team pilot when they competed in the World Parachuting Championships in Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Great Britain. He has served on the NAA Sport Aviation Council. He has been awarded the U.S. Parachute Association’s highest honor – the Lifetime Achievement Award and just this past September was inducted into the National Skydiving Museum’s Hall of Fame.

Jonathan Gaffney, chairman of the Selection Committee and president of NAA said of this prestigious award, “As the Elder Statesman Award is synonymous with lifetime achievement, these four individuals together have contributed immensely to the advancement of our industry, the defense of our nation, and the fabric of sport aviation in the United States. It is such a great honor to put their names on this most cherished award.”

The Wesley L. McDonald Elder Statesman of Aviation Award was established in 1954 to honor outstanding Americans, who, by their efforts over a period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics, and have reflected credit upon America and themselves. Previous winners have included Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Olive Ann Beech, Scott Crossfield, Carol Hallett, and Chuck Yeager.

It has been said that a Will is the ultimate expression of a person’s values. Making a Will is the best way to ensure that your estate is left to your loved ones and to what you loved in life. Please consider showing your commitment to our sport and include the National Skydiving Museum in your Will.

 DELAND, FL –The "National Skydiving Museum Weekend Honoring Joe Kittinger," held at Skydive DeLand, Florida, the weekend of August 13th raised more than $110,000 toward the building of the museum. The event attracted more than 300 participants, sponsors, and spectators who enjoyed a phenomenal weekend of skydiving exhibitions and activities. A highlight of the weekend was special guest, Floridian Colonel Joe Kittinger (Altamonte Springs, FL), who was honored as he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his jump from space. The weekend culminated with the introduction of the inaugural “Class of 2010” into the National Skydiving Museum’s Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony recognized eleven individuals who have made a permanent mark in skydiving history.

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Enjoy these pictures of the great weekend in DeLand, Florida!

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BJ Worth has provided the dive designs for the 50-way jumps in celebration of the 50th anniversary Kittinger celebration.

Drawings by Rags Raghanti.