Michael Anderson (Dennis Sattler).jpg

MICHAEL

1) What made you decide to start skydiving?

I saw a Golden Knights exhibition back in 1980 and thought it would fun to try. I intended to do it only once but that plan went right out the window as soon as I landed.

2) How long have you been a skydiver?

My first jump (static line) was on 10/4/1980

3) How many jumps do you have?

As of 12/1/18, I have 5,938 jumps.

4) What container and parachute are you currently jumping? What was your progression?
Right now, I am jumping a Aerodyne Icon container with a Crossfire 2 129 and a Optimum 143 reserve.

Mike (l) photographed before a Team Blackstar ‘patch jump’ with Ramone Edwards.

Mike (l) photographed before a Team Blackstar ‘patch jump’ with Ramone Edwards.

5) Have you had any cutaways? How many?

I’ve had 18 malfunctions but most are from years of doing tandems. No injuries.

6) What type of skydiving do you enjoy? I am strictly a belly flyer and since retiring in 2015, I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of big ways.

7) What’s your home drop zone? My home drop-zone is Spaceland Clewiston in Clewiston, FL.

8) What types of outdoor activities did you enjoy growing up? What does your family think of your decision to start skydiving? I was an athlete growing up and attended college on a track & field scholarship. Other than skydiving, my favorite outdoor activity is fishing. My family thinks my skydiving is cool. I have taken two daughters on tandems.

Michael (bottom left) is holding the left leg strap of “Barefoot Roger” Ponce on the 708th Issue of the Parachutist Magazine. Photo credit: Norman Kent.

Michael (bottom left) is holding the left leg strap of “Barefoot Roger” Ponce on the 708th Issue of the Parachutist Magazine. Photo credit: Norman Kent.

9) Have you participated in any record jumps? If so what were they?

POPS World Record 123-way 10/10/15

POPS World Record 128-way 10/8/16

POPS World Record 130-way 10/9/16

SOS World Record 65-way 4/27/17

SOS World Record 2 point sequential 60-way 4/30/17

SOS World Record 3 point sequential 57-way 11/7/17

SOS World Record 4 point sequential 57-way 11/7/17

SOS 75-way World Record August 2018




Photo of Michael and other skydivers participating in a successful world record jump at Skydive Perris. Photo credit: Terry Clay Weatherford Photography

Photo of Michael and other skydivers participating in a successful world record jump at Skydive Perris. Photo credit: Terry Clay Weatherford Photography

10) What do you like best about skydiving? What I like best is getting together with friends. We old timers do an awful lot of laughing.

11) What does Team Blackstar mean to you? Team Blackstar is special to me. For many years, I have been the only person of color at the DZ and it’s great to see our numbers growing. Team Blackstar gives us a clearinghouse and a place to share our unique experiences.

12) What is the most challenging thing you’ve ever done as a skydiver? What was the scariest? The most challenging thing I did was earning my AFF rating back in 1986. The washout rate at the time approached 50% and I passed on the first try. My scariest jump was my second one. My first jump had been great but I was worried that I had just been lucky. LOL

13) If you’re a sponsored athlete please list your sponsors. I am not sponsored unless you count pensions and Social Security.

Michael Anderson Jerry Suit2.JPG

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