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The Staff

Jason Thompson
Tomo has been involved in skydiving for over 16 years and has over 7900 jumps and is a multi world record holder. Prior to UK Parachuting Tomo served for 15yrs in the Parachute regiment 10 of which in the Pathfinder Platoon, qualified in military HALO/HAHO and Military Tandem. Currently UK Parachuting Club Chief Instructor ratings held British Parachute Association Advanced Instructor/Accelerated Freefall Instructor/Tandem Instructor/Category System Instructor/Advanced Packer/Canopy piloting coach. Also holds rating under the United States Parachute Association.

Grant Richards
Grant has been involved in skydiving for over 18 years and has amassed over 6700 jumps. Prior to UK Parachuting Grant served for 22 years with the Royal Air Force as a Physical Training and Parachute Jumping Instructor, teaching the British Armed Forces all aspects of military jumping, from static line to high altitude free fall parachuting, to tandem parachuting tuition. He is British Parachute Association (BPA) and United Parachute Association (USPA) accelerated free fall instructor, tandem instructor, free fall coach and canopy piloting coach. Grant is also a BPA parachute pilot

Aaron Ellen
I have worked in several fields over the years but in 2003 I did a tandem skydive and the moment we exited from the aircraft was when I found my passion “SKYDIVING”. I knew that moment that it would change my life and be something I would be involved in for a very long time. I then booked an Accelerated Freefall course and have never looked back, I have worked here at Uk Parachuting since January 2005, Myself and the rest of the staff at the centre pride ourselves on making your tandem skydive experience the best there is. JOB DESCRIPTION: Static line instructor, Tandem instructor, Freefall videographer/photographer, Parachute equipment servicing technician.

Tim Skinner
15 years in the Parachute Regiment 12 of which in the Red Devils Freefall display team, Tim has over 5000 skydives. Current post at UK Parachuting Accelerated Freefall Course coordinator, likes hot curry and fishing in his spare time.

Andy Page
I did my first jump at 4 pm Thursday afternoon 24th may 1978. Yes, I know, probably before most of you where born. I started working at UKPS 2 years later as Instructor / Rigger. I Took my first Tandem Passenger in 1984, Straight after being a test passenger for my Then boss Tony Knight, & that jump included my first & last malfunction as a passenger. Since then I've done 7000 jumps, 3500+ of these Tandems. When not Tandem jumping, & when I can sneak passed Tomo, I like to fun jump. Anything really & I've even been known to pay for some. FS bigways, freefly, free style,wing suits, camera, tracking, Demo's & mild swooping. Have done a lot of CRW & some skysurfing, but not for some time( too scary). As the Centre's Rigger I look after all the parachute equipment, keeping it in tip top condition, plus anything else that breaks or stops working. I am known for being laid back & relaxed, & definitely the best looking instructor in the northern hemisphere. I'll look forward to seeing you at the DZ soon.

Gavin Rixon
I learnt to skydive with the owners of UK Parachuting Tomo and Grant in 2003. I originally signed up for the one jump and by the end of the week i had completed my AFF course, and since then i have not stopped jumping, and have been working my way up the skydiving totem pole to reach the positions of FS coach CH coach and camera flyer. Recently i have completed my tandem instructor course to become the newest member to the tandem team.

Mike Jones
Hi my name is Mike aka Gizmo. I have been jumping for 4 years. I caught the skydiving bug while completing my degree in Mechanical Engeneering at Plymouth University and haven't looked back since. This will be my 2nd season on the packing mat at UK Para.

Steve Wickham
Having done my 1st skydive back in 1991, when I still had a full head of hair, I quickly became addicted to the sport. After a break from the sport I began jumping again in 2005 with UK Parachuting. Since this time I have progressed from Club Jumper to Camera Man and FS Coach and am now very proud to be a qualified tandem instructor. I am also part of the famous entertainment committee and can normally be found winding my good friend Gavin Rixon up! (For the record I AM much further up the skydiving totem pole than he…)

John O'Connell aka "Irish"
Flying since his early teens, John is Best known for flying the infamous "Black Beaver". He is a BPA pilot examiner with over 6000 para drops to his credit but he has never taken the leap and vows never to jump from a perfectly serviceable aircraft! John first worked with Tomo and Grant in 2002 at Weston on the Green and today his day job is flying the mighty Citation X " fastest civilian aircraft in the world".

Barry Bremner
I learnt to skydive in 1999 after an initial introduction with a tandem skydive in 1995. I have been involved with UK Parachuting since 2005 as a fun jumper and later working in operations and now as a cameraman. I like to travel abroad to jump and develop my skills as well see new places."