Full Name:  Ryan Michael Buckley

Age:  22

# of Jumps:  350 ish

Favorite Discipline:  Camera flying

College:  Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Year Graduated:  2006

Major:  Aerospace studies

Favorite Jump Plane: 

     Porter (climbs fast and has some sweet struts to hang on)

What jump would you rather make and why: A big-way with 20 friends, or a competition winning freefly jump with a supermodel?  

     Big way with 20 friends.  Because the video would probably be a zoo dive, and the beer would be plentiful in the evening. 

What is your most memorable experience from a competition or boogie?

     Placing third in a hit and chug competition in Deland.  The two others that beat me had like 800 and 3000 jumps.  I was in the low 200’s.  It was so cool because it was the sunset load for both days on the weekend and it was a 8 to 10 way track, then just a crazy ass pattern to get to the peas and chug that beer.

What is your favorite part of the skydiving culture?

     The openness of the people.  Coming to a DZ where you know no one and striking a conversation up with someone and 20 minutes later your freefalling with this person and their friends, which will inevitably become your friends.  Also the BEER!

Do you see skydiving as an adventure for now, or as a lifelong hobby from here on out?

     I used to want to be in the military forever, but after skydiving I realized that I just need to pay off my student/skydiving loans and become a DZ bum, living in a tent working at a fun DZ.  Not too worried about the money thing, I just want to jump with people and drink beer.

If you could give a shout out to another collegiate skydiver, who would it be and why?

     2  people:  Jerry Reitano for getting me started and mentoring me through our three years of jumping.  The other would be Keith Holley, because I met that fool at a Deland Boogie and we’ve been jumping and drinking together ever since (that’s my boy!)