Book Description
Parachutists are a breed apart, worthy of the title Sky People," for few experience the freedom and the whims and the very substance of the air as they do. This is the story of the Pioneers who showed the way; of the Show-jumpers who tied the "dicing with death" label so tightly to the parachute; of the "Caterpillars" who have leapt for life from stricken aircraft and of the test jumpers who made it possible for them to do so; of the Paratroopers who used the parachute to carry them to battle; and of the Sky Divers who jump for sheer joy. It is a story that relates the excitement, the humor, the triumph, and the tragedy that have accompanied parachuting through the years. ... Read more

Book Description
What's it like to fly a powered paraglider? What's it like to fly like a bird? What's it like to strap an engine and wing to your back and run into the sky? Now you can find out! RUNNING INTO THE SKY follows the adventures of ultralight pilot Chris Wolf as he learns to fly a powered paraglider - the world's smallest powered aircraft! Even if you're not a pilot, you'll enjoy reading this book!

Wolf shares with his readers the incredible exhilarations--and pitfalls--experienced with powered paragliding. Especially valuable for novices, "Running Into The Sky!" provides an honest appraisal of what one can expect to experience in this emerging sport. Told by one who's been there, this book contains many useful tips and provides a wealth of information not found elsewhere. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

this book is a time-saver
Written with simple language. But technically detailed.
Everything of described within can be found on inet in forums, etc. But it takes only a couple of evenings to read this book instead of weeks of googling.

Do You Have Flying Dreams?
This is a fun, funny, informative book.Once you start reading you don't want to put it down.If you have ever had those dreams where you just start flying,this book will start you thinking, "I can really do that!".

I immediately started day-dreaming about paramotoring and couldn't get it out of my head, like listening to an old fashioned love song.

A Must Read for Light Flight Fans
I read Chris's book about a year ago. When I started reading it, I could not put it down. Chris does what few authors and pilots have the courage to do: not sugar coat the details. With brutal honesty he shares the good, bad and ugly in a collection of entertaining stories. It's well written, witty, honest, informative, and humorous, giving his account of what it's like to learn and fly these amazing personal flying machines.

Some of Chris's recommendations of equipment and designs are outdated by today's standards. This sport is still in its infancy and there has been much progress in the gear since this book was published. But that does not take away from the extraordinary value of this book as a fantastic account of what it's like to fly like a bird.

As a PPG instructor, I recommend this book as a "must read" for all prospective, new and veteran PPG pilots alike.

Mo Sheldon
Advanced Flight Instructor, ASC Certified
Airparamo - Fly Like A Bird
http://www.airparamo.com/
602-692-7995

The definitive PPG classic
Struggling to keep up with my clients' deadlines, I still had to get in a few chapters of "Running Into the Sky" each night. What a riveting, enjoyable read!

As a former pilot and ultralight enthusiast but a new convert to PPG, I struggled to find honest information on the training experience, PPG dealers, equipment, technique, and pitfalls to avoid.Most of all, I sought to know what it's LIKE.Yes, there are similarities to fixed-wing, but the soft airfoil,control geometry, etc introduce many foreign issues -- and there's so much hype and misinformation in PPG.

The key value of the book is Chris Wolf's self-abasing humility: the transparency of one talking to a friend.No attempt to impress... how very refreshing.I don't mean to convey it's not a fun read; it's factual, comprehensive, palpably useful - but it's also simply enjoyable.The author's descriptive narrative and self-deprecating humor affords the reader a feeling that they are truly there, experiencing these things (however vicariously).As a former editor for a book publisher, I know that few authors can do this."Running Into the Sky" will be the definitive primer on PPG for years to come.

This is THE book to get!
I've been interested in getting involved in the sport for a while now, but wanted to hear both the positive and negative aspects before I went further.Chris's book is an honest and well thought out presentation of both sides.His description of flight is a rush and combined with the help humor and raw information, the book clarified what the sport is all about.After reading it, I now understand a whole lot more why I HAVE to get into the air as soon as possible!"Running Into the Sky" is NOT a sales pitch.Its an HONEST read.

Pete ... Read more

Book Description
To jump or not to jump--this book answers the question!Here's just the thing for anyone who has ever toyed with the idea of skydiving and wants to know more before deciding if the sport is right for them.Writing for those with no real skydiving knowledge, the author provides a complete overview of the sport, discussing the thrill, the risk, the basics, jump training, safety training, the cost, the time, where to go, what to do, questions to ask, and much more.THE book to read before enrolling in a skydiving class.

* Explains the types of skydiving: Tandem, Accelerated Freefall, and Static Line
* Tells how to go about selecting a school or training program
* Provides a series of questions to ask when comparing skydiving centers by telephone
* Includes Frequently Asked Questions
* Beautiful 8-page color insert ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Flaw in Tandem rig
It's a good book, but needs to be more explicit about the risks
assumed by first time students, especially the 'safer' tandem
dive.

I was determined to make my first tandem jump next summer,
but then I checked the USPA's online accident report and
learned that during the summer of 2007 two first time tandem
students died when they slipped out of their harness during
the jolt of chute deployment and fell. The opening shock jolt
made their bodies do a pike position and they just slid right
out.

Now I wouldn't go within a mile of a drop zone; especially because
this major design flaw in the tandem harness rig should be
corrected; why isn't this a a top priority for their
design engineers? A couple of strategically placed reinforced loops
in the jumpsuit itself, or an inverted Y strap connecting the chest
and leg straps. A wedgie is a small price to pay for the extra safety.
I've seen many pictures in Photobucket or Image shack of Tandem
students dangling so precariously their heads are practically at
their instructors waist. It's crazy.

I was prepared to overlook the infamous liability waivers and insurance
exclusions, but this is too much. I felt sick when I read it.

Please look at the UPSA's online site of accident reports before
doing this, and warn anyone you think might be contemplating it
to get all of the facts first.

JUMP!
Bought this book after my 3rd jump, so most of the info wasn't new to me, although book had some interesting topics that weren't discussed during my AFF class.This is an excellent book for somebody with 0-1 jumps; anybody with more than that would benefit from a book that focused more on safety training and "tips" or advice.But good starter book none-the-less.

Great book for first time jumpers
This is a first rate for book for getting a general overview on skydiving. It is primarily geared toward first time and less experienced jumpers. Mr. Buchanan writes in a very easy readable style. He covers the major areas involved in skydiving ranging from the parachute equipment, the types of planes used, the type of training and instructors available and how to pick the right drop zone for your jump.

There are also chapters on risks and overcoming the fear of jumping. Buchanan does not sugar coat the dangers of skydiving. However, he does go into detail on ways to avoid the risks. He points out what someone should look for and the right questions to ask when contemplating your first jump.

Particularly helpful are the FAQ, at the end of the book which covers most major questions a first time jumper would have about the sport, and the glossary which helps with all the abbreviations and specific terms used in skydiving.

But most of all throughout the entire book Buchanan conveys the shear joy, fun, excitement and enthusiasm that he has for the sport.

Jump!An invaluable resource and a great read
A great read! Extremely well written! The information that the writer shares with his readers is invaluable for the first time skydiver, anyone who ever thought about jumping and everyone who is curious about the sport. The information is well organized and it is easy to find the answer to any question the reader might have. The writer has a great ability to captivate the reader and put the reader in the moment of the jump. Tom Buchanan clearly knows and loves his sport and shares his enthusiasm with the reader. I highly recommend this book.

Blue Skies & Soft Landings
Skydiving Instructor Tom Buchanan takes the student (and the reader) by the hand from the first jump on up. He tells you what to expect and shows you what to do so that you will progress up the skydiving ladder faster while having even more fun.

See the Table of Contents under Editorial Reviews, above. See the back cover description of the book under From the Inside Flap, above. They describe the book's coverage well.

Books like this contribute to the proliferation of skydiving knowledge and are responsible for the orderly development of the sport of parachuting.

As the co-author (with Mike Turoff) of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook and six other books on parachutes and skydiving, I recognize a good skydiving book when I see one. Highly recommended.

--Dan Poynter, D-454, ParaPublishing.com. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (3)

A Remarkable Woman, a Remarkable Story.
Tiny (Georgia Ann Thompson) Broadwick was the first woman to jump from an airplane, the first person to jump from a float plane, the first to make an intentional water jump from an airplane and the first to make a manually-operated parachute jump and all these records were prior to 1915. Tiny Broadwick demonstrated that parachutes could be used repeatedly, that escape from a damaged airplane was possible, that you would not pass out in freefall and that a woman could do something most men would not do. This book recounts history of a person that deserves greater recognition. It is easy and fun to read. As a skydiver (1,200 jumps, D-454), pilot (SEL & gliders, hang gliders and paragliders),author and publisher of seven books on parachutes and skydiving, I recommend this book to those interested in aviation and pioneering women. --Dan Poynter, Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook.

One Worth Having
This small book presents the story of Tiny Broadwick (true name Georgia Ann Thompson), pioneer parachutist. Ms. Roberson has made an honest and capable attempt at telling us about Tiny's life and her book has many uncommon images of Tiny. The book suffers in its fact checking, however, as at least one of the "firsts" claimed for Tiny was not hers. Self-effacing as she was, Tiny would have been among the first to correct such erroneous enthusiasms. Still and all, while the reader may have to exercise caution about the captions under photographs and should be careful of accepting without question all of the dates and events presented, this is certainly a book well worth having, reading and enjoying.

First Lady Early Bird
I started reading this book at nine in the evening and couldn't put it down. I first learned a little about "Tiny's" career back in June of 1997. I had started to build a website which featured the career of my father-in-law, Walter E. Lees, a member of the Early Birds of Aviation. He had soloed in 1913 and references to Tiny kept popping up among his collection of memorabilia. I finally accumulated enough bits and pieces to build a page for her on my "Early Bird" site, but it only told a part of her story. This book, by Elizabeth Roberson, with its many anecdotes and photographs, satisfies my curiosity about the life of this unique woman. I can recommend it very highly to all aviation history buffs or to anyone who is interested in the story of a remarkable person. ... Read more

Amazon.com
A free-falling parachuter, strapped onto a snowboard with a Cheshire grin and arms spread wide, graces the book's cover (as does his recently departed airplane, pitched at a rather precarious angle). Don't be misled: only a few pages of The Skydiver's Handbook are dedicated to skysurfing, one of the more radical aspects of parachuting. Instead, Dan Poynter and Mike Turoff's parachuting guide is exhaustive, addressing all levels and styles of skydiving, and providing a glut of like resources. The guide opens with a why-do-this analogy: "If riding in an airplane is flying, then riding in a boat is swimming. If you want to experience the element, get out of the vehicle." Novice skydivers will learn the basics, from tarmac preparation to the first static line jump. And yes, experienced jumpmasters will find enough advanced material to hold their interest: free fall and canopy progression, equipment updates, and emergency procedures. All readers will appreciate the glossary and the lists of skydiving centers, parachute equipment dealers, and literary material. --Rob McDonaldBook Description
This revised guide has over 400 pages of pertinent information for beginners as well as advanced jumpers. The authors cover every detail of canopy flying, skydiving, safety, and equipment. They also provide in-depth information on formation flying, specialized jumps, and handling emergencies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Recommended
Jump by Tom Buchanan is also good.Skysurfing is where it's at!On it's tenth edition because it contains everything you need to know.

Flaws in tandem rig
It's a good book, but needs to be more explicit about the risks
assumed by first time students, especially the 'safer' tandem
dive.

I was determined to make my first tandem jump next summer,
but then I checked the USPA's online accident report and
learned that during the summer of 2007 two first time tandem
students died when they slipped out of their harness during
the jolt of chute deployment and fell. The opening shock jolt
made their bodies do a pike position and they just slid right
out.

Now I wouldn't go within a mile of a drop zone; especially because
this major design flaw in the tandem harness rig should be
corrected; why isn't this a a top priority for their
design engineers? A couple of strategically placed reinforced loops
in the jumpsuit itself, or an inverted Y strap connecting the chest
and leg straps. A wedgie is a small price to pay for the extra safety.
I've seen many pictures in Photobucket or Image shack of Tandem
students dangling so precariously their heads are practically at
their instructors waist. It's crazy.

I was prepared to overlook the infamous liability waivers and insurance
exclusions, but this is too much. I felt sick when I read it.

Please look at the UPSA's online site of accident reports before
doing this, and warn anyone you think might be contemplating it
to get all of the facts first.

The Skydiver's Handbook, 10th Edition
Excellent read for the beginner or someone thinking about skydiving.Very informative and fun to read.

A very good book
Parachuting is an increasingly popular hobby. Indeed, right down the road a piece from where I live is Skydive Chicago, one of the largest skydiving centers in the Midwest. Well, if you are considering doing your first jump, then you *must* get this book. It tells you what will happen on your first jump, gives you easy to learn maneuvers and techniques, even telling you why people jump.

Overall, I found this to be a very good book. The techniques are sound, which is no surprise as the authors are both expert skydivers, and the pictures are well done. And I must say, I really did enjoy the history of parachuting! Overall I found this to be a highly informative read, one that I recommend to anyone thinking about taking the big plunge!

The Sky is Yours to Fly In

If I was ever to attempt parachuting, I certainly wouldn't do it without reading this book from cover to cover and committing most of it to memory. The layout is terrific, with lots of photographs and very detailed drawings and diagrams, and it's written in such a simple and direct style that it even makes sense to someone ignorant about skydiving, like me. People who step out of an airplane with a parachute are amazing and courageous, but I'm an acrophobic couch potato that settles for getting my thrills watching others do it (think Keanu and Swayze in "Point Break"), or looking through books like this fantastic manual.

"Parachuting-The Skydiver's Handbook" gives you a little history, starting with Leonardo da Vinci, with the photo of Kathe Paulus from the 1890's quite priceless, through "Your First Jump," "Skydiving Emergencies," with every possible emergency you could ever go through (as the author states, "parachutes are good but not perfect," pg. 142), "Your Freefall Progression" (I love the drawings in this chapter!), and so much more. It has an extensive chapter on equipment as well, and how to use it. There is also an appendix for further information on clubs, books, etc., a glossary, and an index. Dan Poynter and Mike Turoff have done a superb job with this book, which has enough information that even an expert might expect to learn something, and for the novice, don't leave home without it. Keep your eye on the sky, and "Fly with your own wings"! ... Read more