Former USPA Executive Director Laura MacKenzie, D-2121, Passes Away | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-04.29.24

Airborne-NextGen-04.30.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.01.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers--05.02.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.03.24

Wed, Jun 02, 2021

Former USPA Executive Director Laura MacKenzie, D-2121, Passes Away

MacKenzie Was An Active Skydiver In The ’60s And ’70s And Was On Two U.S. Parachute Teams

The first and only female executive director for USPA, Laura MacKenzie passed away after a long illness on Saturday, May 22.

MacKenzie was the executive director of the United States Parachute Association from December 1, 1976, until March 1978, and was the first staff member hired by then-Executive Director Donald Beach when USPA moved from Monterey, California, in 1975. As the executive director, MacKenzie handled everything from hiring staff, accounting and office administration to acting as assistant meet director of the 1976 USPA National Championships.

An avid supporter of skydiving competition and the U.S. Parachute Team, MacKenzie made a lasting impact on the sport of skydiving, especially during her time at USPA Headquarters. She wrote a column each month during her tenure titled “The Washington Update,” which she used to update members and encourage industry-wide support and donations for the U.S. Parachute Team. In the March 1997 issue of Parachutist, MacKenzie writes a letter celebrating a milestone to fellow parachutists:

“The United States Parachute Team is now a separate corporation. Most importantly, it has an IRS section 170 (c) status, which means: All contributions to the U.S. Team are tax-deductible!”

In her letter to members from the October 1977 issue, MacKenzie explains some of the benefits of moving USPA Headquarters to Washington D.C.:

“The move to Washington D.C. has enabled USPA to develop closer communications with the FAA. Now, after two years, the FAA has come through with the answers to some of our petitions. They have determined that an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) is not required to be installed aboard aircraft engaged solely in parachute jumping operations. This is a step in the right direction for both parachutists and the FAA. This change will save money for drop zone operators and therefore you, the skydiver. We’re looking forward to more fruits in our developing relationship.”

MacKenzie was an active skydiver in the ’60s and ’70s and was on two U.S. Parachute teams, 1969 at the Adriatic Cup in Portoroz, Yugoslavia, and 1972 World Championships in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She was Women’s Star Crest Recipient #2 and was a part of the first all-women 8-way star in Elsinore, California, on July 28, 1970. A strange quote from Parachutist says, "The tireless organizers decided that if there was enough time and light left at the end of the meet, the girls would be allowed to have a go at it." Jean Schultz and MacKenzie made the 2-way base in 15 seconds. Sheila Scott docked third. Ann Gardiner made the star a 4-way. Diane Bird made the fifth dock. Luena Garrison and Linda Padgett came in sixth and seventh and Patty Croceito finished the formation. They broke the star just above 3,000 feet, and they all landed to cheers from the observers on the ground. Carl Boenish, Ray Cottingham and John Randall filmed the dive.

MacKenzie is survived by her godson, Dylan, who writes “Godmother, skydiving champion, guitar player, cat owner, social worker, dog lover, fabric artist, blackbelt. Laura took one final jump into the unknown this past weekend. The world is better for having known her. She is missed.”

FMI: https://uspa.org/

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.01.24): Say Altitude

Say Altitude Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft's specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude round>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.01.24)

Aero Linx: European Air Law Association (EALA) EALA was established in 1988 with the aim to promote the study of European air law and to provide an open forum for those with an int>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Korean War Hero Twice Reborn

From 2023 (YouTube Version): The Life, Death, Life, Death, and Life of a Glorious Warbird In 1981, business-owner Jim Tobul and his father purchased a Chance-Vought F4U Corsair. Mo>[...]

Airborne 04.29.24: EAA B-25 Rides, Textron 2024, G700 Deliveries

Also: USCG Retires MH-65 Dolphins, Irish Aviation Authority, NATCA Warns FAA, Diamond DA42 AD This summer, history enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to experience World Wa>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.02.24: Bobby Bailey, SPRG Report Cards, Skydive!

Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC