Anniversary 35 years – the sequel
As usual, the beat goes on, as we cleaned up after the 30th anniversary celebration in August of 2003, we were already making arrangements for the US Nationals to be held in October at Lake Wales using our aircraft and with Paul as the “air boss”. It was one of the most if not the most successful Nationals ever held.
We followed that “small undertaking” with the arrangements for performing a 100 jumper demo into First Flight at Kitty Hawk for the centennial celebration in December. The 100 jumpers were to represent the 100 most influential people in aviation history – many of whom were in attendance. December 16th flying 3 CASA’s and 2 Twin Otters, we put 100 skydivers and two tandem passengers in the air at one time with the exhibition lasting 12 minutes. In our practice jump, Barry Algren was the first civilian skydiver ever to land at Kitty Hawk. In the audience for this jump were aviation legends such as John Glenn, Chuck Yeager, and some of the Tuskegee airman, to name a few. (see the video in Room #1)
The hurricanes of 2004 in Florida completely destroyed the facilities at Lake Wales, including a 50 year old hangar that housed our Twin Otter, N226CS. Miraculously the airplane nicknamed “frankenotter” survived with only minor damage. The DZ was devastated by the loss of the building. The building was scheduled to be rebuilt by the City of Lake Wales within a year. Based on that assumption, Paul bought out Betty Hill and we became a two DZ owner for the first time in many years. Three years after the hurricane, the rebuilding still had not started and we pulled out returning the operation to Betty Hill.
In 2004, Fayard Enterprises completed the process for military acceptance of our civilian aircraft operations. This enabled us to bid for contracts to provide aircraft for use in military training. Preparing for the AMC inspection was a huge task that had to be sandwiched in between the business as usual operations for both CSS and Fayard Enterprises. And, then it requires an extensive audit bi-annually (2006 & 2008) of records and manuals.
For Nancy, 2005 was a year to remember or forget – whichever way you might want to define it. While at a go cart track watching grandson, Stone drive his first time, she fell breaking her right wrist and cracking her left elbow. The wrist required surgery and recovery took several months. (Paul’s story was that he told her to shut up – twice!! (we all know that was not what happened – because he is still alive)
Fayard Enterprises aircraft supported the canopy relative work world records of the 70 in 2003, the 85 in 2005 and the 100 way in 2007. Fayard Enterprises aircraft also supported the World Freefall Convention and every other large formation on the east coast.
Over the 35 year span, we have lived up to the old saying that the only constant is change. Fayard Enterprises began “flipping aircraft, that is, buying, refurbishing and selling aircraft.” With this, Paul has traveled to the ends of the earth to locate distressed sales. Pakistan, South Africa, Ethiopa, Kenya, Tailand, China, Runda, Burwandi, Argentina, Mexico, Borneo to name a few. If you are interested in how it works check out fayardenterprises.com to see one aircraft go through the process.
It is as though things have come full circle – gas was being rationed when we started all this 35 years ago. Now, gas prices are, in effect, creating their own rationing by what we can afford to buy.
For the last five years, Nancy has assumed the day to day management of the DZ organizing boogies, promotions, demos, advertising, training etc. while Paul devoted more time to the aircraft leasing and maintenance side of the business.
In the past month, a contract for geological flying has accelerated to the point that more time must be devoted to preparing manuals and forms to meet the requirements of the contract with a deadline of October 31. It has been impossible to meet that deadline and keep up the pace with the day to day operation of the DZ.
In order to be competitive in the aircraft leasing market, we must also upgrade from an FAA Part 91 Operation to a FAA Part 135 Operation. Implementing a FAA Part 135 operation requires a complete restructuring of the maintenance hangar. This will be at least a year long process.
With the gas issue, staffing issues, aircraft availability and the need to spend more time in the operation of Fayard Enterprises, Paul and Nancy have come to the realization that it is time to pass the skydiving baton on to the next generation of skydivers.
So, as of September 2, 2008, Carolina Sky Sports will close its doors for civilian skydiving. From time to time advanced military training will be conducted here.
As we look out over this group, we see that we have made a difference in parachuting history and in the lives of the many people who have trained under our program or have jumped from our airplanes. We hope you understand that this was not an easy decision to make but it was the only one we could make.
Skydiving has been not just our job but our lifestyle. It has been a great 35 year journey with some bumps in the road but it is not our destination.
The epilog to our 30th Anniversary party is the marriage of Todd Starr and Amy Freed.
Two CSS skydivers met at the party in 2003 and were married in Las Vegas on July 7, 2007 or 07-07-07. They are still both active jumpers.