Nostalgic reminiscence of Monica Noncheva on Throwback Thursday

In the heart of Virginia, Skydive Orange stands as a beacon for adrenaline enthusiasts and skydiving aficionados alike. At the helm of this vibrant community is Whitney Payne, the Co-Operations Manager, who has made Skydive Orange her home for over a decade.

Whitney's passion for skydiving began long before she took on her current role. Her fondness for the skydiving community led her to join Skydive Orange, where she has since held various positions, including office manager, manifest, guest services, and social media manager.

Skydive Orange prides itself on its friendly manifest, always ready to answer questions and guide newcomers through their skydiving journey. The facility boasts a team of USPA rated coaches, AFF instructors, and tandem instructors, ensuring that every jumper receives expert guidance.

For those eager to take the leap, Skydive Orange offers information for making a tandem skydive. For those seeking a more immersive experience, the Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) course is available, allowing jumpers to progress towards getting their license.

Whitney Payne attributes her personal growth to her experiences at Skydive Orange. Watching people face fears, celebrate milestones, or skydive has been life-changing for her. One such individual is Monica Noncheva, who made her first tandem skydive with Mr. Mario Ripa on September 2012. As of the given date, Monica has over 50 jumps and also works in the experienced manifest.

Skydive Orange also offers a unique experience with HALO tandems. These jumps leave the plane from 17,500 feet, free-falling for 12,000 feet before opening the parachute at 5,500 feet. Ground school and in-air instruction for HALO tandems are taught by USPA and United Parachute Technologies rated tandem instructors.

Safety is paramount at Skydive Orange, with a full-time Regional Safety and Training Advisor (S&TA) and a part-time Local S&TA ensuring that the highest standards are maintained. Unfortunately, publicly available information does not identify the current Regional Safety and Training Advisor.

Contrary to popular belief, Whitney Payne is not an adrenaline junkie, spontaneous, or a thrill-seeker. Instead, she finds solace and growth in the skydiving community, which has allowed her to become the person she is today.

In an unexpected turn of events, Whitney Payne did not anticipate managing a skydiving facility 10 years ago. Yet, her dedication and passion for the sport have led her to this role, where she continues to inspire and guide others in their skydiving journeys.