Chuck MacCrone

Charles Richard “Chuck” MacCrone, D-526, made his first skydive in 1962 and quickly established himself as one of parachuting’s most respected leaders. Beginning on the regional style and accuracy circuits, his steady hand and technical insight carried him onto the highest international stage, the FAI’s International Parachuting Commission (IPC), where he would ultimately serve as president for an unprecedented six terms. His tenure guided world policy and rules for competitive skydiving events, and upon his retirement he was honored as President of Honour by the IPC.

MacCrone was a nationally rated judge and the developer of the Equislope scoring system, which became the international standard for style and accuracy competitions during their heyday. A former member of the USPA Board of Directors, he retired from active jumping in 1974 with 849 skydives to his credit. In 1984, the United States Parachute Association recognized his extraordinary service with its highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Born June 17, 1931, in Bay Shore, New York, MacCrone served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean conflict before pursuing a distinguished career in engineering. He earned his BSEE from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and his MSEE from UCLA in 1960, later working as an engineer with NASA and the U.S. Army missile program in Huntsville, Alabama.

Even after leaving competition and governance, MacCrone’s life was marked by a spirit of service. At age 71, he enrolled in paramedic training, graduating at the top of his class. He explained his motivation simply: “Life has been good to me, and I feel that I need to give something back.” For the next decade he served with HEMSI in Huntsville, becoming known as the oldest active paramedic in the state of Alabama.

Fellow Hall of Fame member Norm Heaton paid tribute to MacCrone in his memoir My First 1,000 Jumps, dedicating the book to his longtime friend and recounting how Chuck embodied both integrity and humility throughout his life. Whether guiding international skydiving policy, developing innovations in competition scoring, serving his community as a first responder, or mentoring fellow skydivers, Chuck MacCrone left a legacy of leadership, generosity, and service that continues to inspire.