Bill Text: VA SJR87 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Skydive Orange.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-16 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ87ER) [SJR87 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SJR87-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Skydive Orange, a parachuting facility in Orange County that has provided a safe and exciting experience for thousands of people, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017; and
WHEREAS, founded in 1977, Skydive Orange offers a variety of adrenaline-fueled parachuting activities, including solo and tandem skydiving, high-altitude skydiving, and wingsuit training; each year, its drop zone plays host to over 30,000 parachute jumps; and
WHEREAS, Skydive Orange is based out of a large hangar at the Orange County Airport and conducts its jumps using a de Havilland Twin Otter aircraft that can hold up to 22 parachutists at a time; and
WHEREAS, for most jumps, Skydive Orange's customers leap from an altitude of 13,500 feet, or 2.5 miles, allowing for roughly 60 seconds of freefall time; and
WHEREAS, valuing safety above all else, Skydive Orange is responsible for spearheading and developing the Integrated Student Program, a training method that is recognized by the United States Parachute Association as the national standard for skydiving instruction; and
WHEREAS, along with its expert training regimen, Skydive Orange also uses state-of-the-art equipment and parachutes maintained and packed by FAA-certified riggers; its staff includes highly experienced parachutists who have collectively made tens of thousands of jumps; and
WHEREAS, Skydive Orange has helped develop numerous champion parachutists who have represented the sport at major events; its team of exhibition skydivers routinely entertains the surrounding community with free demonstration jumps at school and charity events; and
WHEREAS, during its 40 years in business, Skydive Orange has grown from a small group of thrill-seeking enthusiasts into the largest parachuting operation in Northern Virginia and one of the biggest tourist draws in Orange County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Skydive Orange on its 40th year in operation; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Skydive Orange as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its impressive achievements and best wishes for continued success.
