Features
Sport'
Medford,
SECTION B MEDFORD, OREGON, SUNDAY. JULY 29. 1962 PAGES 1 to 8
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Candy-striped parachutes are easy for the ground observer to spot when watching
members ol the Skydivers group make their jumps. A jumper may free fall down to
2.000 feet, at which time he must open his parachute. The jumpers sometimes fly to
heights of 15,000 feet before leaving the plane. (Knackstedt photo)
Members of the Skydivers prepare to fly to a suitable height for jumping, as one
of the group demonstrates the proper form for leaving the plane when in the air. The
right hand door is removed to allow the men lu leave the plane easily. All four places
in the plane are provided with safety belts, and for the man in the right front seal,
there is a hold strap. (Knackstedt photo)
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Morton Gos.ftt. nne of the two licensed parachule riSKCr in Ihr Skydivers, care
fully folds his own parachute as he prepares In pack it (or another jump. Careful
packing of the parachutes is necevary for safoty when jumping. The other r:rr iO
the group is Le Goett. iKnacksledt photo) .
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After landing in a grassy green field about six air miles norm of Medford, tne sKymver, dressed in full jumping auire, faces tne task of col
lapsing his parachute and "field-packing" it, (Knackstedt photo)
Skydivers Practice Safety in Jumping
By SANDRA ARANT
Mail Tribune Staff Writer
Parachute jumping, one of the fastest growing sports
in the United States, requires top physical conditioning
and stable nerves.
Although many people are intrigued by the danger
involved in jumping from an airplane from heights
between 2,500 and 15,000 feet, this factor is secondary
to members of the Skydivers, local jumping group.
These men are interested in the competitive aspects of
the sport.
As an independent group, the Skydivers are in
charge of training their members, packing their own
parachutes, and maintaining their own safety factors. The
club meets each Sunday morning, year round at
Valley Aviation, Inc., at the Medford municipal airport.
Although they jump most Sundays, during the hot sum
mer months they may jump only every other Sunday.
Medical Certificate Necessary
Young men must be at least 18 years of age to
participate in jumping activities, and each member
must have a medical certificate from a qualified physi
cian. A new skydivers must go through a ground train
ting period of at least four week ends before he is
allowed in the plane. During this period he learns how
lo fall, how to pack his parachute, and other informa
tion essential for the safety of the jumper.
He is then taken for an orientation ride in the air
plane. At this time he learns proper jumping position,
how the jumper leaves the plane, and the general feel
of the airplane.
The new jumper is then ready for his first jump.
He and two other men climb into the Cessna 182 piloted
by Al Monroe, and fly to jumping level. On the first
jump, made In a static line parachute, the jumper may
leave the plane about 2,500 feet.
Parachute Opens Automatically
The static line parachute opens automatically when
the man leaves the plane. The ripcord of the chute is
attached to the plane by a nylon rope about five feet long.
As the man jumps, the pull of the cord trips the rip
cord, then either breaks or slips the knot.
The beginning jumper makes a minimum of five
static line jumps. Out of these five, he must make at
least three dummy ripcord pulls, developing the action
he must use in free fall jumps.
After the static line jumps, he is ready for his first
free fall jump. As he gains in experience, he may jump
tram higher altitudes and begin competitive air man
euvers. When making jumps at over 2,000 feet the skydiver
must be equipped with reliable instrument, an alti
meter and stop watch. The safety of the skydiver la
protected at all times. The club follows all rules of the
Parachute club of America, national Jumping organiza
tion. Only regulation equipment is used.
The jumper is provided with a reserve parachute, just
in case the large one doesn't open. The reserve chutes
are packed and inspected by Morton Gossett, and his
brother, Lee Gossett, licensed riggers for the group.
This must be done every 90 days.
Other Jumping Equipment
In addition, jumping equipment includes boots, Jump
suit, helmet, gloves, goggles, and other protective equip
ment. Initial ' cost of equipment for the sport jumper
usually runs about $110, including the cost of the
parachute.
The parachutes are 28 feet In diameter, and are made
of durable nylon. The shroud lines are made of
nylon. The parachutes are obtained from surplus govern
ment stock, and are usually dyed by the jumpers them
selves. Modifications are made In the chutes for guidance
purposes. These include gores, which can be used to
determine direction, to make the parachutist stand still
in the air, or to move him backward.
Ready to Compete in Air
As the skydivers attain proficiency, they are ready
lo compete and practice air maneuvers. There are
many of theses, usually accomplished during free fall
time. Included are such exercises as rolls, figure eights,
and the passing of a baton from one man to another.
The maneuvers take place before the parachute Is
is opened.
After the parachute opens, the Jumpers may prac
tice hitting a pre-marked target area. To do this, they
must make use of the guidelines attached to the shroud
lines of the chute.
Not only do Ihe members of the grpup compete among
themselves, but they also enter in competition with other
groups around the country. When asked, they may also
perform in exhibition
Although the idea of falling through space Is alien
to most people, the danger found in the sport is nearly
eliminated through use of safety parachutes, safety train
ing, and careful packing of regular parachutes.
It is a sport filled with excitement, is colorful, and
is excellent physical training for the men who participate.
State Parks Better Attended This Year
Salem Oregon's state parks are being better attended
this year than ever before as thousands of tourists visit the
slate and join Oregonians at camp grounds and picnic tables.
The Oregon state highway department has several sug
gestions for new camping and picnicking spots for those
who have found their favorite park too crowded to enjoy.
Several parks not so often visited but noted for their
attractions include Cape Arago and Shore Acres State parks
on the coast, Thomas Condon-John Day Slate park in central
Oregon, Owyhee State park in eastern Oregon, Collier Me
morial park and Logging Museum in southeastern Oregon
and Sodavillc Springs Slate park in the Willamette valley.
Cape Arago Slate park, 14 miles west of Coos Bay, con
tains 134 acres on the Cape Arago promontary. Cape Arago
features three separate beaches complete with parking, pic
nic and rrstroom facilities and a shelter building. Tables,
stoves, a good water supply, and fishing, make this a fine
recreational park.
The nearby Shore Acres Stale park contains 6:17 acres
and a rare garden gathered by a retired ship owner many
years ago. In this garden are 11,500 different varieties of
trees, shrubs, and flowering plants. Shore Acres provides an
unusual and spectacular shoreline, Including a rock forma
tion leaning at a 45 degree angle seaward. The park offers
picnic tables, stoves, water, comfort stations and fishing.
This park and Cape Arago are reached by Cape Arago high
way off Highway 101 at North Bend and through Empire.
Thomas Condon-John Day Slate park Is noted more for
Its famous fossil beds than for its picnicking facilities. Basic
facilities are offered for camping as well as pinic tables, fire
places, fresh water, and comfort stations. This park is a
photographer's paradise with its pre historic and unusual rock
formations and spectacularly rugged terrain. The John Day
river offers fishing for the sportsman. The park is about
40 miles west of John Day on Highway 28
Collier Memorial Slate park and Logging Museum. 34
miles north of Klamath Falls on Highway 97. contains 200
acres. Visitors will find camping facilities, fishing, picnic
tables, electric stoves, shelters and sanitary facilities, plus
a museum displaying equipment used in old-time logging
camps. Fishing sites are found in nearby Spring creek and
Williamson river Trails are located throughout the park.
Owyhee Slate park, growing in popularity daily, offers
fine picnic, camping and boating facilities. The highway de
partment and Malheur county joined forces and recently
compleled the oiling of the road inlo the park. Owyhee is
located off Highway 201 about 35 miles southwest of Nyssa.
Sodaville Mineral Springs has the distinction of being
Oregon ' first dedicated public park, and was once the liite
of college and two large resort hotels. Named for Ihe
soda mineral wfer rings, Sodaville still attracts follow
ing of believers in tbjr mystic powers of the waters, The
park has niwir '(hen. rVe Ml rtros. It M I
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Collier Stale Park aim Logging Museum, 34 miles norm of Klamain I alls, features
still ii ye timber operations in addition to camping and picnicking facilites, Tht
ieww wh mti nwmiIm It feVw'Uigiway 97 north of Crater Lake Junction.
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