In the early days of relative work (now called formation skydiving), no name was more synonymous with large freefall formations than Jerry Bird, D-3299. In 1967, over Taft, California, Bird participated in the first 10-man star. Bird was a founding member of the skydiving club Arvin Good Guys and later formed the 10-man teams Jerry Bird’s All-Stars and the Columbine Turkey Farm. His teams captured several national titles and four world titles. In 1983, the FAI awarded Bird the Leonardo da Vinci Parachuting Diploma to recognize his accomplishments; he was only the second American skydiver to receive this honor. Bird currently lives in Florida.
