A new state record for the largest skydiving formation was set in Longmont, Colorado on August 28, 2011. A group of 69 skydivers managed to form a snowflake pattern in 69 seconds after hurling themselves out of several aircraft at an altitude of 15,300 feet above the Colorado landscape. This record-setting skydiving record was a labor of love for the skydivers who had been trying to accomplish their goal since 2008.
A Sky Diving Team Effort
The sky above the Vance Brand Municipal Airport was filled with the sound of the four different aircraft required to carry all of the sky jumpers aloft. Two Twin Otters, a KingAir, as well as a SkyVan were required to bring all 70 jumpers (69 jumpers and 1 sky jumping photographer) to their height of glory. This record-setting skydiving jump truly was a team effort. Between the organizers, the pilots, and the sky jumpers, each piece of the puzzle came together to create a visual masterpiece for all those on the ground lucky enough to be on hand to witness the feat firsthand.
International Sky Diving Teamwork
The entire weekend had been set aside for multiple attempts to set the new state record. The previous record of 56 skydivers in the skies above Lamar, Colorado was easily bested by Longmont’s brave group of 69. On their eighth attempt of the weekend, this International group of high-flying jumpers easily soared into the record books. Including 19 jumpers from the Air Force Academy, this illustrious group of death-defying divers hailed from a total of six different states, Italy, Uruguay, and England too. Truly an International undertaking, the divers ranged in ages from 19 to 67. Jim McCormick, the jump leader from Estes Park paid special tribute to the representatives for the Air Force Academy, without whom the record-setting jump would not have been obtainable.
Successful Record-setting Sky Diving Feat
The team had originally planned to jump from a height of 18,500 feet above ground level but Mother Nature and a broken cloud cover got in the way. As per FAA requirements, supplemental oxygen was available for the pilots and sky jumpers. If the intermittent cloud cover had not been a factor, the team had planned to return to the skies to immediately best their own record-setting jump. Alas, this was not to be the case. Following such a successful endeavour, there are no immediate plans in the works for the team to try to one-up themselves.
Sources
The Longmont TimesCall
