The Drop Zone. Lived there and was co-owner for 18 years.

The good ole DZ (Para-Naut, Skydive Adventure) in Omro. I grew up visiting my uncle and aunt there. I developed my love for skydiving and passion for aviation there. I jumped for the first time there and my last just was still there. I first took the controls of an aircraft somewhere above there. I will always have the fondest of memories there and I thank my families, both blood and skydiving families, for inspiring me and helping me to become the person I am today.

1976 I was on leave from USAF visiting my folks. I had just purchased a Top Secret new parachute system and made about 5-6 jumps there. Then moved back to Oshkosh in 1981 and met my future wife there. She was waitressing and bar tending. I instructed skydiving there and taught her in 1982 and married her in 1983. Still married to her and back skydiving and it is now 2018. A fun time with a lot great people. Got my first sales job, post college, from another skydiver.

My parents bought the DZ when I was one year old. What a fun place to grow up and I lived there through high school. This picture brings back so many memories. I was fortunate to meet so many incredible people through both the bar and skydiving center, a lot of who I still stay in touch with! My father "Bill Hasenfus" was flying the airplane as I made my first skydive at 16 (1982) and we waved to each other as I left the plane (and my mother was on the radio). I instructed/jumpmastered many first time student, not to mention packed parachutes. The house and quonset hut are still there and there was an addition of a large hanger and trailer.

To add to my prior post, the two airplanes are Cessena 180's, one (the red one on the left) which was named Delta Dawn and the other Tango. The jeep on the right had a plow and was used to plow the runway and parking lots in winter. I also remember that station wagon by the garage, as it had seats in the very back that popped up (usually a spare tire area) and that was so cool as a kid to sit there with the back window down.

My very 1st & my 1st 27 skydives were made here from 2006-2008.
Though the bar/ restaurant was no longer there, the nostalgia of the Para-Naut days lived on through the many photos & stories told by many who shared in, & experienced them. I packed many tandem & sport rigs as a Staff Packer, while living in a camper on the dz. The people I came to know while there were some of the best I've known & experiences were of the fondest I've had to date. I miss them all everyday, but keep them close in thoughts & memories. Sadly some of my dearest friends I've having met there, are no longer here, but their memories live on. Our friendships & connections would not have been, if not for Skydive Adventure.
Blessings & BlueSkies always Bill & DonnaMarie Hasenfus, Heidi & Darcy & the entire Skyfamily of Para_naut / Skydive Adventure...because of you, many lives were changed...you're legacy continues to live on in the lives & hearts of thousands ~

I made 5 jumps there in the summer of 1968 before I went into the U. S. Army and then Viet Nam. After the Army I worked there as a bartender and a bouncer from late 1970 to roughly 1976. A lot of fond memories there!

Spent a lot of time here when I was 7-8 years old,was friends with Bill’s daughter’s (sorry I don’t remember their mothers name) Darcy and Heidi .I remember ice skating down by the run way. I lived just down the highway .

I remember spending Saturdays at the DZ when I was a kid, about the exact same time as this photo was taken. Remember the bartender would always give me a 3 Musketeer candy bar. My father flew the red and white 180 jump plane on weekends. I can still vividly remember this place!

Pat Mangan was a great pilot and friend to us. I talked him down on his first jump also! I got to talk down thousands of students over the years there.

Hi Jean - I will pass your message along to my dad! He no longer flies, but you can tell he misses it!

Did my first civilian static line jump there May 1977. Still have the certificate signed by Bill. Was attending Lawrence at the time. Prior to college had exited some perfectly good aircraft excluding a goonie much more fun with Bill. “Stand in the door.”

47 years! Wow. Many fond memories from this era. Enjoyed working for Bill and Jean. best wishes to both of you.

Hi Patrick,
Can you share a specific memory from that time? How much changed in the area since 1977?