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Don Kirlin

International Skydiving Hall of Fame

Don Kirlin

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In 2000, WFFC drew 5,700+ people from 50 states and 55 countries
Inducted into the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame
Founded Air USA, the “world’s most advanced private air force”Bio
Inducted: 2024 Country: United States
Class Of 2024
A person in a green flight suit stands beside a sleek, camouflaged military jet on a runway, with the cockpit open. The jet has a distinctive tail emblem and the sky is clear and blue.

Don Kirlin, D 5372, is a seasoned sport parachutist, aviation event organizer, and aviation business leader. With a passion for aviation, he founded Air USA in 1994 and is a licensed pilot, aircraft operator, and airframe and power plant mechanic. Don was the visionary behind the World Freefall Convention, held in Quincy, Illinois, for 17 years, starting in 1990. This event became the largest gathering of skydivers from around the world. He also established Sky’s West Parachute Center in Ft. Collins, Colorado, and worked as an airline transport pilot for Piedmont and American Airlines, retiring in 2020. Don is proud of his skydiving family which consists of his wife, daughter and two sons. As a tandem instructor, he took all three of his children on their first jump at the World Freefall Convention.

 

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