PAUL OSBORNE

Jump number: 13500+ jumps (as at April 2025, since 1974)

Ratings: Currently holding IA AFF SL, Tandem Supervisor, Examiner AFF /SL /Tandem, Display Organiser, Master Instructor, Display Pro, Packer A, APF Life Member.

Master of Sports Parachuting Awarded 10th May 2022.

PAUL OSBORNE a short history 1974 to 2025

• Commenced Jumping Wigram Air Base Christchurch February 1974 with Canterbury Skydivers. (no I’m not a Kiwi). 13 jumps NZ
• A second 1st jump course with Doug Irvin of Cairns Skydivers at Mareeba in 1975.
• Certificate A issued 01.04.76 signed by Ruth Grantley
• Certificate B issued 01.04.76 signed by Anne Jessop
• Certificate C issued 01.05.76 signed by Anne Jessop
• Certificate D issued 01.12.77 signed by Ruth Grantley
• Starcrest  issued 01.02.78 signed by Ruth Grantley
• IB with Noel Lourie as Instructor and Jim and Faye Cox as examiners in 1979.
• Instructor 336 SL issued 01.06.79 signed by Claude Gillard
• Certificate E issued 01.01.80 signed by Susan ?
• Instructor (Jumpmaster) 12 SL issued 01.07.80 signed by Ruth Grantley
• Commenced Australian Paracentre as a full time DZ at Corowa with Dingus McKie in 1980.
• Canopy Crest (USPA) 424 issued 30.12.80 signed by Al King
• Certificate F issued 01.03.81 signed by Ruth Loftus
• El Cap Certificate issued 1981 *446
• Wrote the “B” rel table as thesis for Senior Instructor Rating in 1980/81.
• “B” Rel table adopted for use for the succeeding 15 years before revision.
• Senior Instructor 133 issued 01.05.81 signed by Claude Gillard
• Took over from Tony Edwards as CI Australian Paracentre Corowa 1981
• Introduced and gained approval for AFF in Australia 1982/3.
• Sought and gained approval to use ram-air canopies for students at the same time.
• Developed the AFF Instructor Course and became an Examiner in 1983.
• Private Pilot licence commenced jump flying and completed about 1000 hours during flying career.
• Co-organiser of several Corowa Nationals 1981- 1984 and hosted the 1st Instructor Conference at Corowa where AFF was presented.
• 1983-1990 conducted AFF JM courses in almost all Australian states and also endorsing examiners in those states.
• Instructor D AFF No1 issued 05.08.84 signed by Rick Collins
• Instructor B AFF No1 issued 05.08.84 signed by Rick Collins
• Instructor A AFF No 1 issued 05.08.84 signed by Rick Collins
• Load Organiser at Katherine Rel Week for 17 years straight.
• Tandemmaster 12 issued 1985 following Mt Isa Tech Conference and trial jumps. (drogueless)
• 1985-1988 CI/owner Yarrawonga Parachute Centre
• CI Canberra Skydivers 1988/9
• CI SASPC between Vic Balfour and Miff during 88/89 pilot strike.
• Night Starcrest issued 19.06.90 Signed by B Searle.
• Load organiser and Spotter for the Adelaide Grand Prix Display Jumps 1990 and 1991(the ones that landed on target)
• Commenced Paul’s Parachuting Cairns 1990.
• Awarded the Australian Sports Medal for contribution to the sport 2000 (Introduction of AFF)
• CI Paul’s Parachuting at various times from 1993 to 2004
• CI of Far North Freefall 2000 until July 2007.
• APF Board Member many years
• 2004 to 2016 ASO NQPC
• Instructor Panel Chairman NQPC until 2008.
• Sold Paul’s Parachuting in 2004 and became ASO NQ.
• Largest formation Indonesian 100 way 2004.
• Became Director Safety in 2008 for 3.5 years
• Currently holding IA AFF SL, Tandem Supervisor, Examiner AFF /SL /Tandem, Display Organiser, Master Instructor, Display Pro, Packer A, APF Life Member.
• 2018-2019 Coached and jumped with NQ 4way FF team Fourplay to win the Qld Blast competition.
• 2nd Qld Champs 2020 with “Jurassic Park” JJJ, Todd Gerrard, Brandon Van Neikirk.
• Master of Sports Parachuting Awarded 10th May 2022.
• Continues jumping and instructing with 100 to 150 jumps per year