Steve Snyder
Steve Snyder, D‑5, was an aeronautical engineer, aviation pioneer, and one of the first competitive skydivers in America whose legacy continues to shape the sport today.
Steve learned to fly at just 16 and first jumped while in college, quickly becoming a competitive jumper. In July 1958, he and fellow U.S. skydiving pioneer Charlie Hillard became the first two Americans to perform a baton pass in freefall – a thrilling milestone in aerial formation history.
After earning a degree in aeronautical engineering, Steve founded his own jump school and later incorporated Steve Snyder Enterprises, turning his attention toward innovation and design. He held several patents for parachute-related equipment, most notably the Altimaster II, a breakthrough altimeter that became a best-seller, and the Para-Plane, one of the earliest ram-air production canopies.
Throughout his career, Steve married his technical expertise with his passion for flight. His altimeters evolved with intuitive design, including mirrored clockface dials readable up to 12,000 ft – approaches that pioneered modern sport altimetry standards.
Steve passed away in 1999, but his impact endures in every technical improvement, every canopy innovation, and every jump made safer or more precise thanks to his inventions.
Inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame in 2011, Steve Snyder’s legacy stands at the intersection of engineering excellence, adventurous spirit, and foundational contributions to modern skydiving.
