Copyright 2005

Alabama Skydiving Memorial

Alabama Skydiving


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Billy Vance organized a 2 point formation starting with a cluster with one not filled and then moved into a star; after making sure the star settled, we broke grips at the missing cluster. The formation flew what seemed forever in the most tension free way possible; it was if Sandy was flying her slot. As it became evident that we had a time problem with our plane, we dirt dived at the planned jump time. I remembered thinking: "we messed up, we didn't get to jump with everyone else, we missed out." On the climb to altitude, all of a sudden, all was ok. The feeling of "missing out" was oh so true, we were missing Sandy. She was my friend and also for many others. She will be missed always.

Reported by Jennifer Jones

From a Cessna Caravan, we built a 6 way round with 5 slot flakes, leaving one open for Sandy. Then broke that and built an 11 way round, and once that had stabilized, two people broke their grip to leave an open slot for Sandy to dock on, and they held that for 15 seconds until breakoff. Beautiful dive! Organized by Billy Vance. Participants: Sandy Carruth, Kevin Carruth, James Bracewell, Ray Williams, Barbara Cleino, Russell Snyder, Mark Brasher, Dave Cazer, Linda Hypes, Jennifer Jones, and Frank Hodges
Mark Kalupa took care of video and still photos.

We will send a picture as soon as possible. The video looks good, the Caravan came in for a low fly-by behind the group as they stood together in the field. Music selected for the video was Joe Satriani's "I'm with you, You're with me" I think that is the title.

Blue Skies! Billy Vance D18895

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