Jon Stark
Director of Aviation Maintenance
Jon Stark
Director, Aviation Maintenance
USPA License Number:
D-8298
Number of Jumps:
2500?
How many years in the sport?
46
What was the circumstance that led you to the DZ for the first time to make your very first skydive?
A friend took me to a very rural dz on a weekday afternoon to watch. Hearing a solo jumper ripping through the sky hooked me. I had to do that part. Not the part where that jumper landed like a sack of potatoes. The freefall part.
What made you want to continue skydiving after your first jump?
I was terrified. Weather was often poor but I liked hanging out at the dz.
What’s the best / most memorable skydive you’ve ever made?
Ken Coleman and Rocky Evans, the two guys that “invented” AFF, took me out of Mr Douglas on my first hooked up exit. A bunch more Deland jumpers built three six way wedges on us then we rotated them to redock. Seeing all those other jumpers turning their wedges was mesmerizing.
What has been one of the most meaningful jumps you’ve made with a student?
I was one of the earliest tandem instructors in Deland. Having thrown hundreds of static line students out for their earliest jumps it was always satisfying to have so much better an experience by taking someone in tandem.
What about your daily work at Skydive City contributes to FUN at Skydive City?
I try to keep the aircraft as reliable and trouble free as possible.
What is most gratifying about your work at Skydive City?
Having new friends tell me how much they love our community
