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Miami "Dropouts"

Ohio’s Miami University has a skydiving club called the MU “Dropouts.” The club first started in 1972 with hopes of informing Miami University students about skydiving and to help make skydives more affordable. Approximately 25 other colleges have a similar club program. The current president of the club is Miami University’s junior, Adam Schmucker. The current vice president is Miami University’s sophomore, Emma Cooper.

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Becoming a Member

Members of the “Dropouts” not only get great discounts on their skydives, but also get free gear rental, unlike non-members who must pay a fee every time they borrow equipment. The club has recently been extended to the tri-state area, so now any student attending college in the tri-state area can be considered a “Dropout.” In order to be a member of the club there is a $25 dollar annual fee. By simply paying the fee before your first jump, you are set for a year of free gear rentals.

What We Do

As far as what the “Dropouts” do, there are regular meetings held on campus where club related issues are discussed. The meetings are open to anyone in the Miami community who may have an interest in skydiving. There are members who only intend to make one or two jumps and others, and others who are licensed skydivers who regularly jump. But not to worry, it’s not all business with the “Dropouts.” There are various parties hosted at our home dropzone; all members welcome! Also the dropzone (commonly referred to as the DZ) offers parachute packing classes to members who are interested in obtaining their license or who simply want to learn how to pack their own parachute. To those who are interested and qualified, the chance to compete in National Collegiate Parachuting competitions is available.

Competitions

The collegiates provide a great way for college students, generally limited for funding, to compete in skydiving, and many continue on as competitors after graduation. The League was formed eleven years before the club, in 1961 and it has hosted competitions at various locations in the United States ever since. The United States Parachute Association (USPA) conducts the National Collegiate Parachuting Championships to promote learning, safety, competition, sportsmanship, and camaraderie among college skydivers. Overall it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the sport and meet others who share the same passion.

Tunnel Time

As for the winter months in Ohio, one can imagine that there’s not much skydiving going on. So for those “Dropouts” who can’t hold out the entire season, a trip to Flyaway Indoor Skydiving wind tunnel in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a viable option. A wind tunnel is a tool that many skydivers use in order to work on their body positions and transitions. It simulates actual freefall without the plane or parachute. The wind moves upward at approximately 120 mph, the terminal velocity of a falling human body belly-downwards. The people who work there are trained to teach first timers all the way up to experts. The tunnel is known to be appealing to many who are afraid of heights. When flying in the tunnel, one is only a few feet above trampoline-type netting. It’s also known to be appealing to those who aren’t of age to actually go skydiving. In general you must be 18 to jump, but in some states you can jump at 16 with parental consent. When it comes to being a “Dropout” you must be 18 years of age and you must attend Miami University or another college in the tri-state region.

Home Dropzone

Skydive Wayne County is the home dropzone of the “Dropouts.” Since 1969, more than 35,000 first jump students have taken their first plunge over SWC. All jump instructors and coaches are current, certified United States Parachute Association instructors. All equipment and gear is safe, up-to-date, modern equipment.

Location and Facilities

The dropzone is located at the Richmond Municipal Airport, only about 20 minutes north from Miami’s campus on the south east side of Richmond, Indiana. The offices and classrooms for student training are air-conditioned and heated with plenty of bathroom facilities. The hanger is spacious, with about 9,000 square feet of open ground perfect for having plenty of room to pack, and also plenty of space for dirtdiving formation jumps. Richmond Municipal Airport has 800 + acres. There are three paved runways up to 5,000 feet long. The thing that beginning skydivers love about this dropzone is it’s landing area; there are no trees, houses, or power lines nearby. It’s always a plus to not have to worry about obstacles when coming in to land your parachute!

Aircraft

Skydive Wayne County is currently a Cessna dropzone. Two Cessna 182’s are running every weekend.

The Boogie

Richmond “THE” Boogie is currently the second largest skydiving convention in the United States. The Richmond Boogie began the trend of the modern day boogie for skydivers in 1972 (the same year “Dropouts” came about) when hosted in Richmond by Garth Taggert and continued until the United States Parachute Association hosted the US Nationals here from 1976-1980. After the infamous USPA party at the Holiday Inn, skydivers were banned from Richmond for seven years until Steve Stewart went to the Board of Aviation Commissioners and asked permission to host another boogie. After being granted permission to return to Richmond, in 1987 the Stewarts began the annual tradition of the Boogie once more. The concept of the Boogie was originally intended to provide the staff a break from working with students, but after years of being around it has gained a lot of publicity and now all kinds of jumpers and even non-jumpers come to participate and to watch. After each day of jumping, the nightlife brings even more excitement. With live music, bon fires, hog roasts, free beverages, and various other entertainments it’s like a non-stop party for the skydiving community.

A member of the U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team landing their parachute

Jump Options

In order to get started, you must first choose the kind of jump you want to do. There are three options:

1. Accelerated Freefall (AFF)
2. Basic Freefall (Static Line)
3. Tandem

Being a part of the “Dropouts” will get you great discounts. If there are any questions about any of the jump options, or any questions about skydiving in general you should come to one of the “Dropout” meetings or contact the club President via email. The contact information and meeting times can be obtained by going to the MU “Dropouts” website: www.mudropouts.org.

Accelerated Free Fall

For this option you must take a class before hand that’s about 5 hours long and explains everything you need to know in order to make a safe, well thought out jump. Once on your jump, you’ll be accompanied by two AFF jump masters who hold on to your sides upon exiting the aircraft. They are there to make sure that you are stable and stay with you all the way until the time you pull your parachute. If by a certain height you do not pull, they will pull it for you. It is then your responsibility to land your parachute with the help of an instructor on the ground via radio.

Static line jumpers

Basic Free Fall

After finishing the training needed to properly function a canopy, you’ll move on to the jump portion. Upon exiting the aircraft a jumpmaster will guide you out of the plane and hook your static line up to the plane. This option eliminates the freefall portion of the jump. Once releasing the plane, the static line automatically opens your parachute. All you then must do is navigate to the ground with the help of a grounded instructor via radio.

Tandem jump over Chicagoland, IL

Tandem

This is the most commonly chosen type of jump for beginners. You’ll be attached to the front side of a certified tandem master. All you have to do is go along for the ride. The instructor is in charge of the freefall, deploying the parachute, and landing it safely.