Northmoreland Park DZ, Near Leechburg PA?

[JeffSkydiver 0]

In the summer of 1981 I made a few jumps one weekend at a DZ near Leechburg, Vandergrift, Apollo, PA. The DZ was a grass strip in a county park called Northmoreland Park.

At the time, I believe they could not go above 4 or 5 thousand feet due to traffic patterns into Pittsburgh Airport.

I went to the DZ while visiting my parents who then lived in Pitcairn, PA. I didn't even bring my gear because I didn't know until I got home that there was a DZ nearby.

I went to the DZ and borrowed a PC (Paracomander; not pilot chute, for you newbies!). After the first jump (landed in the center of the peas), a fellow came up to me with a nearly brand new rig and a cast on his leg and offered to let me jump his gear while I was there. Real cool. After each jump, we both kinda packed it.

The next day, I brought my Dad and one of my brothers to the DZ to watch. My Dad was amazed. He had only seen skydiving at demos. He was sitting at a picnic table as I was about to board. He asked where I was landing so that he could go there and watch. I told him to stay where he was, I would land by the table. He mostly thought I was pulling his leg.

I was looking down at him while under canopy. I saw that he had gotten up from the table and walked a short distance away toward the peas. I got myself above the table with enough altitude to circle and spiral down right over the table. He got the hint and hustled back and sat down at the table. I then circled around on an abbreviated downwind, base, final and stood up close enough to the table to pick up my can of pop and take a sip. My Dad was amazed. Great moment for us both.

In my log book I have the name of the fellow who lent me his gear. Next time I'm on, I'll post his name.

In the meantime, anyone here ever jump at Northmoreland Park?

jt

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Let's all do this safe enough that we can still do this in our 90's.