John P. Higgins

John P. Higgins, a native of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, discovered his passion for skydiving in 1959. Born with a love for the skies, Higgins made his first jump after reading an article about parachute jumps at Valley Forge. This initial leap ignited a lifelong dedication to the sport. A 1958 graduate of St. Matthew’s Catholic High School, he soon joined the Delaware Valley Skydivers and began experiencing the thrill of skydiving at various regional locations.

Higgins’ skydiving career spans over six decades, during which he completed more than 3,600 jumps. In 1964, he co-founded “The Chute Shop” in Flemington, New Jersey, with partners Ron Edwards and Harry Burlin. By 1968, Higgins became the sole owner and rebranded the company as North American Aerodynamics, Inc. The company became renowned for its innovations, including modifying military parachutes for steerability and developing the “mini System” sport harness/container.

One of Higgins’ most notable contributions to the skydiving industry is the design and manufacture of the Jalbert Parafoil Accuracy parachute in the early 1980s. This parachute remains the most popular accuracy canopy in the world today. His contributions to parachuting equipment earned him the Parachute Industry Association’s Don Beck Memorial Achievement Award in 2015.

Today, Higgins continues to run North American Aerodynamics, showcasing his enduring passion for skydiving and innovation.

John P. Higgins’ induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to his pioneering spirit and significant impact on the skydiving community. His journey from a young enthusiast inspired by a newspaper article to an industry innovator and skydiving icon is celebrated by many in the field.