“Why Skydiving? The sport needs a timely, accurate and independent source of news. Jumpers understandably have a great desire to stay abreast with what’s going on in parachuting and this magazine is designed to fulfill that need exactly.” –Mike Truffer, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief (In a pre-production sample of the magazine.)
And so began a 30-plus year publication on the sport of skydiving. Mike Truffer started the magazine in 1979. I joined him in this endeavor in 1986. We continued the magazine — with various talented staff and contributors over the years — until the final issue in 2009.
Each issue of the magazine is available for those of you who would like to take a trip down memory lane. The magazine also captures some of the history of the sport. Maybe that’s important to many of you, both old jumpers and new. I hope so.
Enjoy. –Sue Clifton, Editor
Mike started jumping in 1969 while attending the University of California at Davis.
The university had various clubs, including one for the sport of parachuting. Mike joined the club, of course, and eventually became a jumpmaster, rigger and much more.
Mike earned a B.S. degree in zoology, and had completed one year of graduate study when he decided to take a year off and work for the United States Parachute Association. His one-year stint turned into three. And the rest, as they say, is history.
While it is impossible to sum up someone’s life in a page or two, I will focus on Mike’s primary contributions to the sport. He wouldn’t want me to get overly sentimental here. He just wasn’t that kind of guy.
Contributions to the Sport
U.S. Parachute Association, 1973-1976
Published the first issue of Skydiving in 1979 (based in DeLand, Fla.)
1981-1997, USPA National Director
1986, U.S. Team Leader for style and accuracy, Ankara, Turkey
1986-87 — Founded the U.S. Team Trust Fund
(After serving as team leader in 1986, Mike worked — in cooperation with other board members — to set up the U.S. Parachute Team Trust Fund. The fund is meant to generate money for U.S. skydiving teams that compete at world championships. Donations go into the fund and the income generated helps defray competition expenses. Mike also put his money where his mouth is and donated $400,000 to the trust fund after his death in 2013. Donations are tax deductible and can be made through the U.S. Parachute Association’s website (uspa.org).
1990s — Helped develop the U.S. Nationals intermediate class in formation skydiving 4- and 8-way. Helped develop the U.S. Nationals 20-way formation skydiving, which eventually changed to 16-way competition. (The ideas came primarily from skydiver and dive organizer Guy Manos. Mike helped make it happen.)
Jump Accomplishments
Exhibition jump into the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Mike was part of the 30-way freefall formation that formed the color-coordinated Olympic rings.
1994 U.S. National Champion 20-way formation skydiving, Eloy, Ariz.
1996 U.S. National Champion 10-way speed star, Gardiner, N.Y.
1997 U.S. National Champion 10-way speed star, Perris, Calif.
2012 World POPS Champion in 4-way sequential, Holland
72-Way large formation world record, 1983, DeLand, Fla.
100-Way large formation world record, 1986, Muskogee, Okla.
144-Way large formation world record, 1988, Quincy, Ill. (diamond formation)
200-Way large formation world record, 1992, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
300-Way large formation world record, 2002, Eloy, Ariz.
Mike Truffer logged over 8500 jumps during his time in the sport.
