04/23/2026
Our founder is a legend!! 👏
DZO SPOTLIGHT: Larry Hill
Founder & Visionary — Skydive Arizona | Inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame, 2020
From a borrowed $2,000 and a single Cessna 182 behind a bar in northwest Phoenix, Larry Hill built what would become one of the most iconic drop zones in the world.
Larry's journey into skydiving began on April Fool's Day, 1967 in Germany while serving in the U.S. Air Force. A chance encounter with fellow jumper Jack Inger set in motion a life defined by passion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to the sport.
After 20 years of military service, Larry founded WildHorse West Parachute Center in 1976. A decade later after surviving a catastrophic thunderstorm that destroyed nearly his entire fleet he seized an opportunity to relocate to a desolate strip of land in Eloy, Arizona. With nothing but vision, Larry and a small crew trenched power lines, laid water, and built Skydive Arizona from the ground up.
Key highlights of Larry's extraordinary legacy:
• Founded Skydive Arizona in Eloy in 1990 now home to 6 Super Otters, Sky Vans, and a DC-3
• Coined the term "Super Otter" - a name that spread across the entire industry
• Backed Arizona Airspeed, helping launch one of the most celebrated 4-way and 8-way teams in skydiving history
• Built one of the first dedicated skydiving wind tunnels in the U.S. - the 3rd in the nation as a training tool, not a tourist attraction
• Hosted every major skydiving event in the world, including U.S. & Collegiate Nationals, World Cups, and World Meets
• Served on the USPA Board and attended nearly every IPC international meeting since 1991
• Survived a heart transplant 10+ years ago crediting the skydiving community's support for helping him through
When asked what advice he'd give aspiring DZOs, Larry put it simply:
"You should have a passion for what you wanna do. That's how you're successful."
Larry Hill thank you for giving the skydiving world a home. 🙌