World FreeFall Convention

The World Free Fall Convention (WFFC) was a skydiving event that was held annually from 1990 to 2006. From 1990 to 2001, it was held in Quincy, Illinois. From 2002 to 2006 it was held in Rantoul, Illinois. The event included various other categories of jump, such as sky surfing, raft jumping, and naked jumps. The WFFC also offered a wide variety of aircraft to jump from. The event was cancelled in 2007 and 2008 due to personal and logistic reasons. No conventions have been held since the cancellations.

Statistics

In 1999, the convention drew 5,410 registrations, including people from across the United States and 52 other countries. During a 10-day period, there were over 65,000 jumps made, 503 of which were tandem jumps. 84 AFS students passed, 393 kegs were given away, and $30,855 was raised for various charities.

Registration

Registration was $49 for jumpers and $24 for non jumpers. The fee included camping, seminars, hot showers, nightly entertainment, and beer.

Safety

In order to be registered as a skydiver, participants were preferred to have a USPA "B" license. If they did not, they were required to have performed at least 50 verified freefall skydives. Skydivers who did not meet these requirements were reportedly required to jump with a WFFC Student vendor.

During its 13-year run in Rantoul, the WFFC was associated with 11 sky-diving related deaths. Jerry Loftis, a prominent skydiver, was killed during the 1998 convention when his parachute failed to open properly. In 2002, a man was killed instantly when he was clipped by helicopter blades as the vehicle took off. There were no other injuries associated with the incident.