by Amy Markert
Cheryl Stearns of Raeford, NC has landed her name in the parachuting world record books
once again! On November 9, 1995 she completed 24 hours of continuous
skydiving, with a total of 352 jumps! That equates to one jump every 4.09
minutes for 24 hours!!
The previously standing world records, officially recognized by the United
States Parachute Association (USPA) and the Federation Aeronautique
Internationale (FAI) were: for women - 255 jumps set by Cheryl Stearns in 1987
at Lodi, CA and for men - 331 jumps set by Jay Stokes earlier this year at
Raeford, NC.
But Cheryl was not content with just one record entry this time around. She
wanted to add a new dimension, a greater challenge to this record attempt. She
incorporated one of her championship skydiving talents into the 24 hour
scenario--she made each one of her jumps a Precision Accuracy Landing on a 5
centimeter target, and established these new world records:
-Most number of dead centers ( 0.00 m- Bulls eye) in a 24 hour period- 188
-Most number of Dead Centers Daytime- 104
-Most number of Dead Centers Night - 84
Most remarkable and significant facts and figures:
-A total of 279 out of 352 (79.3%) jumps were scored at 5 centimeters or
less!
-A total of 301 out of 352 (85.5%) jumps were on the electronic scoring pad
(16 cm or less)!
-She scored dead centers an her 332 jump (the jump that broke Stokes record)
and on her record setting 352nd jump!
-In the 24 hour period that Stearns performed this record breaking feat,
there were more hours of darkness than daylight. Add the bone chilling low
temperatures during the night hours and it is a real wonder she was able to
complete so many jumps and to land with such accuracy.
-The wind conditions throughout the night and much of the following day were
far from ideal, with winds estimated at 35 kts(40mph) at altitude, and several
layers of varying wind speed and direction(the dreaded dog legs) creating
especially difficult accuracy conditions.
A veteran skydiver (D-4020, POPS 4795) Cheryl has held 29 world parachuting
records, countless championship titles and has been awarded the most prestigious
international aerosports award, the Diplome Leonardo da Vinci, for her unique
achievements in skydiving. So what drove her to brave the below freezing
temperatures on a windy autumn day, to assault the record books again? Her love
of the sport and the sheer challenge of it!
The lure of a challenge, the love of the sport and faith in Stearns'
abilities also attracted a host of supporters to back Cheryl's world record
attempt. And Cheryl is quick to acknowledge that although her name will be in
the record books, she did not do this alone. She attributes her success to the
efforts of a fine team, made up of over 150 friends and fellow skydivers, whom
Cheryl is most grateful to.
The record attempt took place at her hometown drop zone, Raeford Parachute
Center, in NC, where many of the same players had gathered in July of this year
to join Cheryl in celebrating her 40th birthday and her 10,000th parachute jump.
The Raeford parachute Center is owned by Gene Paul Thacker, Cheryl's first
parachuting coach and her aviation mentor.
Planning and preparation began months in advance, and centered around
technical and logistical challenges, Cheryl's planning goal was to make 400
jumps in 24 hours, that equates to an average of one jump every 3.6 minutes. Her
experience as a pilot (She currently flies Boeing 733-300/400's for USAir and
has logged 11,000 flying hours.) and as a jumper (her new jump total is 10,651)
told her that this was possible, but would depend upon a myriad of conditions
being just right. Some of these conditions were beyond control -- chiefly, the
weather. But some of the conditions could at least be favorably influenced ( if
not controlled). These included: (1) the equipment, (2) the aircraft and pilots
and (3) the ground support.
The Equipment
Stearns took on much of the planning and logistical arrangements herself, but
also enlisted the skills of Cheryl Whitford, a long time friend of Stearns' and
another Raeford resident. Whitford, like Stearns, is a skydiver, and also is a
senior rigger. Stearns relied on Whitford to spearhead the equipment preparation
and many of the support issues.
Stearns and Whitford had collaborated on the 1987 record attempt and drew on
that experience to plan their strategy. They decided that a total of 12 complete
rigs would be required so that the parachute packers could keep pace with the
jumping and to allow for any equipment repairs or rigging that might become
necessary during the 24 hour period. Some of the gear belonged to Stearns. The
rest was graciously loaned by other jumpers and manufacturers.
Stearns chose the North American Aerodynamics Para-Foil, 252 square feet, as
the canopy for the record. This canopy helped Stearns win the US Women's
National Championship 17 times. The characteristics that make this a good
Accuracy canopy also make it a canopy that requires some effort and strength to
spiral (steer). Effort and strength were two commodities Stearns knew she would
need to carefully ration if she was going to last 24 hours of holding deep
brakes on Accuracy approaches. She would need to spiral for quick descents
because she did not have time for a normal canopy ride. Stearns hoped to meet a
turnaround goal of 3.6 minutes per jump with a minimum opening altitude of 2000
feet above the ground (AGL), as prescribed by the United States Parachute
Association's (USPA) Basic Safety Regulations (BSR).
Cheryl Whitford, Dave DeWolf and Craig "Pork" Van Camp designed and installed
a pulley system to each of the canopies. The "De-Pork Pulley System" consisted
of an extra line finger trapped to the outside A-lines of the canopies, looped
through two very small rings, one attached to the connector link and one
attached to the cascade lines. This line terminated with a soft toggle handle
velcroed to the front risers. Stearns could spiral the canopies quickly and
effortlessly with this steering system. Stearns made numerous tests jumps on all
of the rigs, to help perfect the pulley system and to adjust the brake settings
on each canopy- a critical detail for Accuracy landings.
To keep those 12 rigs ready to jump, a host of riggers and packers were
needed throughout the 24 hour period. Whitford, scheduled all of the volunteers,
recruited approximately 22 folks to do the packing. At any given time, at least
6 people were flaking/folding canopies, stuffing them into bags, stowing lines
and closing packs. There were qualifies Senior and Master riggers scheduled
around the clock as well. This dedicated bunch worked steadily through the
finger numbing 26 degree cold windy night. Like Stearns, they just kept cranking
them out!!! Sore knees and sore fingers abounded, and so did the laughs and the
camaraderie. Their high quality work was evident. Although Stearns endured a few
hard openings, and almost cut away one temporary bag lock, there were NO
MALFUNCTIONS and no cut aways throughout the entire 24 hour period. BRAVO TO THE
PACKING CREW! Bob Williamson of the DO DROP INN, Mount Pleasant, NC a rigger and
around the clock packer himself, donated prize money to recognize the "hardest
working" packer for the event. Whitford choose a young local jumper, Andrew
Christian, to receive the prize money and the honors. Christian donated his own
personal equipment and worked cheerfully and tirelessly around the clock,
packing parachutes.
The Planes and Pilots
The airplanes and the skill of the pilots were also crucial factors in
attaining a new world record. Again some of the best in the business were there
to make it happen. Dave Johnson of Chuckey, TN, a jumper and a commercial pilot
for USAir, brought his Cessna 185, and set his own record for the fastest turn
around time of the record attempt" two minutes and forty seconds, from exit to
exit of two consecutive jumps!! Bobby Frierson of Denmark, SC brought his Cessna
182 and flew dozens of sorties. Raeford Aviation pilots Randy Matthes, Randy
Cadette and Randy Kern volunteered their services, flying Raeford Aviation's
Cessna 182s. Russ Downing also lent a hand, and two other pilots, Lonnie Willer
and Woodie McKay were available on standby. And none of the airplanes would have
kept flying without the mechanical skills of Raeford Aviation's James Good.
The Ground Support
A myriad of other ground support duties were essential to setting the new
record. Sherry Schrimsher, President of USPA, acted as Chief Judge for a
distinguished panel of 8 judges (all volunteers), including Bruce Wicks, Roger
Gardner, Kirk Knight, Jim Nipper and current US Army Parachute Team (USAPT)
Golden Knight competitors, Tommy Welgos, Bill Jackson and Chris Moore.
There were many other current and former USAPT members providing support
around the clock. As with all skydiving activities, the Golden Knights applied
their professionalism, teamwork, and skill to support excellence in the sport.
Stearns is also a former member of that elite group.
John Eiff drove from Florida to provide his air tuffet for the target/landing
area. After 352 accuracy landings, Stearns was especially grateful for this
impact absorbing cushion.
Even General Wayne A Downing, Commander in Chief, US Special Operations
Command, MacDill AFB, FL dropped by during the event to lend his encouragement.
Stearns is an Army reservist assigned to his command.
A total of over 150 volunteers worked between eight and twenty-four hours
each, to perform all essential duties. These volunteers came from the local
area, NC and SC, and from FL, AZ, VA, PA, CT, MS, TX and NJ! Duties included:
recording results, controlling aircraft, helping Stearns clear the accuracy pit
and change gear between jumps, a skydiving pit crew, shagging canopies/rigs
between the landing and packing areas, fixing food to feed all the volunteers,
lights, cameras, judging, packing, flying, etc. etc just to name the major
activities. Hundreds of other details were attended to by this assembly of
dedicated and skilled volunteers.
And as the sun began setting behind the tall Carolina pines, 24 hours after the
start of this remarkable skydiving event, Cheryl Stearns made her final approach
to the target area and scored a "dead center" on her record breaking 352nd
skydive, concluding this world record the way she does everything--with style.
Cheryl was presented with a bottle of champagne and a dozen red roses as she
smiled broadly, ignoring the fatigue. Sherry Schrimsher and Gene Thacker
proposed a toast to Stearns' achievement and her lifetime of skydiving
accomplishments, to which a large assembly of volunteers and well-wishers
enthusiastically responded "Hear! Hear!". In turn, Stearns offered a toast to
the crowd, thanking them for their support. "This record belongs to all of you
too-- I couldn't have done it without you!"
Stearns repeatedly praised the championship "team Effort" of all of the
volunteers and the generosity of her sponsors. She recognized all of those
mentioned earlier in this article, and especially the following: Jackie and Ben
Haddon, The City of Raeford, North American Aerodynamics, Johnny Higgins and
Bryn McLeod, Jeff Steinkamp, The House of Raeford, Mrs. Jeanne Marcher, Skydive
Dallas and American Chiropractic Care, Richard A McKinley DC.
Cheryl Stearns is a tribute to the United States skydiving community and
represents the indomitable spirit of adventure that keeps us in the forefront of
this wonderful sport. Congratulations Cheryl!
You just keep goin' girl!!!
