Experienced Skydiver Archives

Injury Recovery Series: Gary Pacelli

A firsthand account of a skydiving accident, paralysis, recovery, and the realities of rebuilding life after a life-changing injury.

This article looks at a real CYPRES activation, why it happened, and what it teaches us about altitude awareness and decision-making.

High level flying asks a lot of the mind. We share three performance skills used in professional sports that translate well to flying.

Inspired by Skydive Arizona’s Junk Days, Guardians of the Drop reimagines junk jumps with bigger objects, planning, and crew.

Skydiving leaders share their 2026 goals: recovery, smarter training, long-term projects, and more fun in the sky.

How overconfidence and limited experience can lead to poor decisions in skydiving, and why humility and mentorship matter for safety.

A practical look at skydiving and tunnel flying progression, setting goals, choosing coaches, and making the most of your training time.

Practical travel tips for skydivers flying with their gear, from carry-on vs checked rigs to airline rules, TSA, and international travel.

Pete Lubrano shares OperationVK Dynamic Flow and how 36 Valkyrie pilots built large, dynamic canopy formations, advancing modern flocking.

What every skydiver must know about aircraft emergencies, jumper responsibility, and real-world safety lessons from the pilot’s seat.