The 2025 Trustees Award Goes to…

Skydive Perris, one of the most renowned drop zones in the world, has graciously hosted the International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame’s annual Celebration three times. Time and again, this outstanding team has gone above and beyond, finding creative and impactful ways to engage the global skydiving community in support of the Museum’s mission. Their efforts to raise funds and awareness include standout initiatives such as the Holiday Boogie, which alone generated more than $50,000 through a combination of jump proceeds and an imaginative raffle.

At the heart of this generosity is the Conatser Family—Ben, Diane, Pat and Melanie— who have long served as passionate Museum Ambassadors and unwavering supporters of our cause. The Conatsers have devoted their lives to the sport of skydiving building a well-known drop zone.

The Conatser family attributes their success to their passion for aviation but the most important ingredient, is the people! For 50 years, surrounding themselves with outstanding human beings who love all aspects of our sport with a desire to give back to this incredible community. Bennie and Diane purchased a sleepy little private airport in 1976 where the family lived, worked and learned what it really meant to grow a drop zone. They soon began embracing ways to become unique and stretch the boundaries within our industry. Patrick & Melanie became business partners in 1989; they still run the day-to-day operations. The core principle remained: build an incredible staff, support up and coming enthusiastic skydivers and keep listening to what the skydivers want – doing something they love in hopes of creating a magical skydiving destination. Pat and Melanie continued to build their fleet of aircraft of Otters and Skyvans while mom and dad invested in purchasing the 1st SkyVenture wind tunnel located on a drop zone, and added a DC-9 Jet to the fun factor! To this day, the DC-9 is the only jet certified by the FAA for jumping.

With an amazing group of eager and qualified staff led by General Manager Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld and Andy Witcomb growing the military services, Skydive Perris has earned the trust of both our skydiving community and the U.S. military and allied forces. It is their desire to set a standard of excellence while offering top-tier facilities, and hosting legendary events. In recognition of their extraordinary commitment and countless contributions to the International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame, the Board of Trustees is honored to present the 2025 Trustees’Award to Skydive Perris and the Conatser Family.