John Horne

John Horne

  • BPA Examiner
  • BPA AFF Instructor
  • Advanced Instructor
  • Category System Instructor
  • Cameraman
  • Over 7000 Skydives

Remember we told you about the highly experienced Examiners who put the potential AFF Instructors through their paces? Well John Horne is one of those examiners.

John made his first parachute jump in 1969 whilst serving in the Army, 35 years on he has now completed over 7000 skydives and reckons he might get the hang of it soon!

Since 1969 John has served 32 years in the army including a tour as the Chief Instructor of the Joint Services Parachute Centre this ultimately made him responsible for all aspects of safety and training on the drop zone. Once commissioned he returned some 15 years later as Commandant.

He was Captain of the Army Parachute Team for 6 years winning medals at both national and international level and was Chairman of the Army Parachute Associations Safety and Training committee for 3 years.

Becoming a BPA Instructor in 1979, John is now a Category System Instructor, Advanced Instructor, AFF Instructor and BPA Examiner. He has served on the council of the BPA as well as being a member of the BPA Safety and Training Committee.

John readily admits that his days of serious competition parachuting are over, nevertheless he jumps regularly, teaching AFF most weekends and taking part in skydiving trips abroad throughout the year. He also enjoys camera work and uses a video camera on all his AFF jumps.

John is known as a likeable and professional instructor. When asked why he likes teaching people to skydive so much, he had this to say.

I enjoy passing on my knowledge, watching others get the same thrill out of skydiving as I do, but most of all, because it is just so much fun. It literally is a laugh a minute. Students often think I am laughing at them in freefall but I most definitely am not, I'm just enjoying it so much!

It's also good for people to just try it, even if they don't continue in the sport. At least they have experienced the amazing thrill, and for ever afterwards, can say "I've done that"