OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1988 I THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION Sports Equipment Mr. Walter Gubbins l.F.C. in this seasons Thomas Tropical Kit' gets his knees together and boogies through South American skies. The large, furry rodent sleeping under his hat was a gift from a grateful Brazilian 2 Way Sequential Tearn. Suit by Symbiosis • Make-up by Mandy • Photo by Leo QUALITY AND RELIABILITY YOU CANTRUST It should come as no surprise to find out that we have supplied student freefall rigs (including AFFkit developed by TSE for use in this country), to the majority of British clubs. Of the largest military and Zerox in Cordura with GQ S AC and Fury main. civilian centres, APA at Netheravon, Leather Chaser with Firelite Reserve and Maverick Main RAFSPA at Weston, Slipstream SERVICE FROM ‘A’TO ‘D’ Adventures, Headcorn P.C. and THE FIGURES Nineteen years in our sport has Peterborough P.C., all use equipment from Whilst our quality will never be provided TSE with a wealth of experience TSE for advanced students. If you’ve just sacrificed for bargain-basement prices, in the development and manufacture of come through the Cat system, the chances take a look at our list in this issue and you’ll parachute equipment...an enthusiasm are that TSE were helping you progress. see just how competitive it is. GENUINE and commitment producing THE complete And it doesn't stop there... affiliation with major U.S. manufacturers service. A service second to none. This in At the top of the range, theTSE together with comprehensive currency turn means that you can be confident in the handling facilities, enable smooth, cost knowledgethatwithTSEyouareusingthe CHASER still maintains its position as the best-selling state of the art rig in the U.K., effective transactions to be made on either best available, from that initial PLFthrough side of the Atlantic. to SCR and beyond... with over 1500 now in the possession of some of the country’s finest skydivers. No matter if it’s a purchase, repack or Staff qualifications are more than repair, TSE will come through with service, impressive. 4 FAA Master Riggers (4 BPA quality and a keen price...fast. Aov. Rigger/Examiners), with a collective FOLLOW THE LEADERS total of over 6000 jumps oversee all The British 8 w ay team doesn’t aspects of the production, maintenance make decisions lightly concerning new Give Chris or Derek a call on and repair operation atthe loft. Evety care equipment. Nor do the Royal Marines. 0262 678299/602489 is taken to ensure that each rig from TSE Their decision is made based upon sound or write/drop in for details and information meets the highest possible standards, from knowledge and experience. TSE were packs basic S/Lto tne most advanced assemblies pleased to supply them with all their on today’s market. requirements. THOMAS SPORTS EQUIPMENT • PINFOLD LANE • BRIDLINGTON • N. HUMBERSIDE • Y016 5XS DIARY 24/25 SEPTEMBER 10 WAY SPEED MEET 21/22 OCTOBER 25/26 NOVEMBER NIGHT JUMPS Cranfield Airport, Cranfield, Beds MK43 OAP. Tel. (0234) 751866 All experience levels welcome Excellent facilities ■■ Canteen ■ Bar ■■ Accommodation Large Accuracy Pit ■■ Two C-182's ■■ Skyliner ■■ Tandem 25 Hook Cottage. Hook. Swindon. Wiltshire. SN4 8EA (U.K.) Tel: (0793) 854301 VISA Phone orders and use Credit Cards Ansaphone y DEALER ENQUIRIES ON ALL PRODUCTS ARE W E L C O M E ^ Name Address.................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................Postcode . nAitii»$erW 7* Design I enclose a cheque or please debit my Access/Visa Account No...................................................................................... O Date O No Date O Date O No Date Card Expiry Date Signature O Pink O Blue O Pink O Blue O QUANTITY without Date at £ 1 4 .5 0 ____ O Black O White O Black O White O QUANTITY with Date at £ 1 7 .4 5 ____ GOODS TOTAL £ ____ Postage & Packing £1.25 UK £2.50 Europe and BFPO £3.50 Outside Europe Postage & Packing £ ____ Have you ordered from SWARD SPORTS BEFORE YES/NO TOTAL £ C ustom F itted Jm p su its and Leisurew ear 123 Wingfield, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough PE2 OTJ Tel: (0733) 239052 MasterCard. Phone orders and use Credit Cards Ansaphone ^^EA^RENQulRjESONA^RODU^^AREW EUOOM ^^ Thin Air Jumpsuits and Leisurewear has built a sound reputation over the past few years. We are now concentrating solely on Jumpsuit and Leisurewear production with our proven range and new lines. We have created a dealer structure and welcome enquiries. • LEISUREWEAR. We have a full range of leisure wear available At the same time we will continue to concentrate on from stock or custom. individual orders and promise a fast turnaround. • ONE PIECE WARMSUIT. Custom made, Thinsulate layer • JUMPSUITS.... all custom built to your requirements. between Ripstop outer and breathable inner linings, All prices include Grips, Trim and VAT. P&P extra. with pockets, very warm I £94.50 • RIPSTOP WINDCHEATER, single layer with pocket £19.95 • SEQUENTIAL SUIT, • RIPSTOP REVERSIBLE JACKET, two designs in one £24.99 A fast fall and durable Polycotton suit £87.50 • THINSULATE THERMAL JACKET, with pockets, £29.99 • RELATIVE WORK SUIT, just as the Sequential but made for the heavier jumper £87.50 • ARCTIC JACKET, Big outdoors, all weather jacket, HOT! £75.00 • LIGHTENING SUIT, Ultralightweight team sequential suit, made • BOMBER JACKET, Ripstop outer layer with thermal padding from Ripstop, Spandex and Polycotton. Turbo boosts for leg lift and and lining. £34.50 additional grips available at extra cost. £97.75 • STYLACC SUIT, built for style and accuracy. £95.00 Please complete the form for full details. Enquiries can be • JUMPM ASTER SUIT, Hard wearing Polycotton with Knee Pads, dealt with over the telephone on 0733 239052 Pen Holder, Wipeable board on thigh, Chinagraph pencil and Jack Knife. £87.50 Nam e_____________________________ Tel N o.___ • CAMERA SUIT, Polycotton with Belled legs, Heavy duty Swoop Address_______________________________________- cords, elasticated waistband with room for video recorder, internal ‘battery’ pockets and triple slider on the zip allowing easy access to ___________________________________ Postcode _ controls. £110.00 Please send me order forms for the following products:___ • STUDENT SUITS, Polycotton with knee pads, pocket and cuffed wrists. Available in S, M, L & XL £34.50 THE NAME ALONE QUALITY' DEFINES IT TALON Simply the Best! Authorised dealer Major canopy dealers RWSuits incl. FTS inc. PD etc Sweeps Cottage, in stock now Lower Maescoed, Talons PDs Swifts Hereford. also a good selection of used gear HR2 OHP full rigging repairs and service 087-387-628 call for details w/e JSPC N./AVON ask for Jo Scott THE BPA COUNCIL Chairman Vice Chairman J. T Crocker Dave Hickling SP^RT PARACHUTIST Chairman Safety and Club Representative Training Committee Tim Andrewes Tony Knight JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH PARACHUTE ASSOCIATION WHARF WAY GLEN PARVA LEICESTER LE2 9TF Tel. (0533) 785271 Chairman Competitions Chairman VOLUME 24 No.11 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1988 Committee Development Steve Eversfield Committee Dave Hickling Treasurer BPA EDITORIAL John Lines Council Members T. Andrewes T. Knight J. Crocker P. Lambson J. Curtis J. Lines N. Dixon K. Noble S. Dixon G. O ’Hara G. Douglas J. Meacock S. Eversfield J. Steele Well here’s your latest mag...late again. Of course you're not interested in the tribula­ D. Hickling L. Thomas D. Howerski S. Treble tions of trying to put together an issue of SP — and why should you be? Let someone Vice Presidents else not get paid for that. But here's something you should concern yourself with — John Meacock Charles Shea-Simonds the future of our sport. BPA Staff Charles Port, Secretary General SP and me are not the only things causing headaches at HQ- membership of the Sue Allen, Trudy Kemp Angela Middleton BPfi is continuing to decline; less people means less money coming into the association National Coach and National Development and as we all knout, more outgoings into less income just doesn't go. Safety Officers Officer John Hitchen Susan Dixon Tony Butler Jhere are answers to some of the problems and. no doubt, there are many of you out Editor, Sport Parachutist Carol Saunders there who have strong opinions about which way we should be heading if we want to Affiliated to the Federation Aeronatique ease, if not solve, the situation. J for one can babble on merrily for minutes at a time Internationale through the Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom. about the way ahead for our sport (just ask findy Wildmore!!) find 3 m not just talking about complaining about the way things are. Jhe BPfi, like SP, has more than its fair share of critics — with dozens more waiting in the wings to step in if. heaven forbid, the current ones should run out of things to complain about. Bui what we need now is Editor's Note constructive debateJhe mulling over of new ideas., perhaps even some optimism and The views of contributors to The Sport Parachutist are not necessarily those of the Editor, or of the positive thinking. British Parachute Association, and no liability is accepted for same. •find, the annual general meeting on January It could provide just the kind of opportunity we need to get talking about some of these bright ideas. CONTENTS Jt's an intriguing thought that if all the energy that goes into criticism could be DROP IN N .......................................... ........ 4-5 channelled into constructive thinking, we might see our trek along the road to ruin RW-ROTTEN WEEKEND?............................ 6 halted as we step out towards a rewarding future. CLUBS AND CENTRES...................... ........ 8-9 TRAILBLAZERS........................................... 10 PARACHUTE DISPLAYS.................... ..... 11-13 COMMEMORATING BRITISH PIONEER AERONAUTS-PICS.................... 14 A LEAP INTO OLYMPIC HISTORY AT SEOUL.........................