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Bruce Travis, born and raised in Montana, has spent decades as an engineer and skydiver, achieving incredible milestones in each. A graduate of Montana State University with a degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering, Bruce served in the U.S. Air Force as a Combat Controller during the Vietnam War, providing close air support while assigned to the 82nd Airborne.

Bruce’s professional career is equally remarkable. He played a role in designing the engines for the iconic F-15 and F-16 aircraft at Pratt & Whitney before embarking on a long and successful tenure at Duke Energy, where he held leadership positions overseeing operations, engineering, and nuclear safety.

In skydiving, Bruce’s achievements are nothing short of legendary. With over 9,400 jumps and 167 hours of freefall, he has competed in 4-way, 8-way, and 16-way formation skydiving for decades, making the podium more than a dozen times. His record-setting accomplishments include participation in the 300-way, 400-way, and several multi-point big-way formations. Bruce has also been a key participant in elite events like the Arizona Challenge and the P3 Power Play, and he won first place in the 2010 POPS/SOS World Meet in Italy.

At 78 years old, Bruce remains an active competitor and a respected member of the skydiving community, with a career that spans military service, engineering excellence, and unparalleled contributions to our sport.

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Bruno Brokken, originally from Belgium, has dedicated more than four decades to the sport, amassing over 27,000 jumps and a reputation as one of the most skilled aerial photographers and videographers in the world. His work has captured the essence of skydiving, from world records to exotic boogies, and even high-profile commercial projects for brands like Coca-Cola, Armani, and Xbox.

Bruno began his skydiving journey in 1980, at the age of 17, and quickly fell in love with the sport. After moving to Skydive Empuriabrava in 1987, he became one of Europe’s earliest AFF instructors, a tandem master, and a professional camera flyer. Bruno’s career highlights include filming numerous world records, such as the historic 400-way formation skydives in Thailand and the 100-way canopy formation world record in the United States. He’s also a two-time freestyle world champion videographer and has earned accolades in canopy piloting, including European Champion in 2005.

Over the years, Bruno’s passion for skydiving has taken him to breathtaking locations worldwide, documenting iconic moments and pushing the boundaries of aerial photography. His contributions to the sport were formally recognized in 2020 when he was inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame.

From his early days as a musician funding jumps to becoming a global skydiving ambassador Bruno’s story is one of creativity, resilience, and boundless passion.

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Olav Zipser, born in Simmern, Germany, began his skydiving career in 1986 and quickly revolutionized the sport by introducing non-traditional forms of body flight - in other words departing the known world of flying on your belly to flying on multiple axes, namely on your head. His innovative approach led to the development of FreeFly, a discipline that has transformed skydiving techniques and competitions worldwide.

Since his first jump nearly 40 years ago, Olav founded multiple free fly schools around the world to recruit others to “Freefly Your Mind.” Olav has trained 14 world champion skydivers, and he was instrumental in bringing free fly to the FAI making it an official category in competition. His achievements also include jumping from the stratosphere in 1995 from 47,000 feet, winning an Emmy Award for his performance in the X-Games, creating the Space Games, inventing the space ball, and has successfully survived more than 25,000 skydives in his career.

In October of 2024, Olav was inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame where he was presented by a free fly prodigy in his own right, Rook Nelson.

Very impressive accomplishments considering that Olav was on the path to becoming a dentist until he made a skydive in Texel, in the Netherlands in the mid-80s where he learned to, as he describes, swim in the ocean of air.

MEDIA

VIDEO: Olav Zipser FreeFly Cross Wind
VIDEO: Freefly Astronaut Project
VIDEO: The Best of Crosswind

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My guest today is one of the world’s most celebrated skydiving camera flyers, with a career that spans over 30 years and more than 28,000 jumps. Gustavo Cabana, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, turned a simple VHS camera and a passion for skydiving into a lifelong profession, capturing some of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history. Gustavo is the only camera flyer to document four of the largest world records in skydiving, including the 400-way formation, the 168-way head-down freefly, and the 100-way canopy formations.

With his camera, Gustavo has traveled to 28 countries, filming everything from national competitions to international boogies, commercials, and skydiving expeditions. His expertise has even led him to design and manage high-altitude oxygen systems, enabling new records in European skydiving. Beyond his work behind the lens, he’s a respected mentor, founding the Fly Camera School to make camera flying safer and more accessible to new jumpers.

In 2023, Gustavo’s dedication to the sport was honored with an induction into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame. Now based in Catalunya, Spain, he manages his photo and video studio and continues to film at Skydive Empuriabrava, Europe’s premier drop zone.

I’m thrilled to welcome Gustavo Cabana to The 20 Minute Call podcast!

Media Links

• Gustavo's Website
• Gustavo's YouTube Channel
• 736 Skydivers - The 4 Biggest Skydiving World Records
• Gustavo's Induction into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame
• "In Search of the Perfect Jump"
• Gustavo's 35 Years of Skydiving

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Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Patreon Community or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:

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In part two of this two-part episode with Norman Kent, we resume our conversation, speaking more about Norman's professional career.

If you've not yet listened to Part I, please listen to last week's episode first.

Norman Kent is considered by many to be one of the greatest skydiving aerial photographers and cinematographers in the history of the sport. Norman Kent made his first jump at 19 years old. Now, at 68, he is still on the top of the mountain capturing the sport's most extraordinary images. At the time of this recording, the October 2024 cover of Parachutist Magazine is one of Norman’s images.

With over 30,000 skydives made with a camera, Norman has witnessed and documented skydiving’s most extraordinary world records and beautiful moments. Some of these moments include capturing the Olympic Rings formation jump made during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1988 Olympic Games.

This jump was broadcas live to one billion people around the globe to over 160 nations.

Norman’s work has been published in prestigious magazines such Time, Playboy, the Guinness Book of World Records and Popular Photography. He has been part of blockbuster feature films such as Kingsman, Triple XXX, and Godzilla. He has shot commercials for the world’s largest brands including Smirnoff, Cocal-Cola, Visa and Ford, to name a few.

I’m so pleased to welcome a skydiving icon, mentor and most of all, a thoughtful and warm human being, Norman Kent.

MEDIA LINKS

• Website: Norman Kent Productions
• Video: Aerial Pyro by Team Fastrax
• Video: NKP Commercial HTC Promo
• Video: 100-Way Canopy Formation World Record
• Video: "Never Give Up"
• Video: "Deanna" a Tribute from Real TV
• Video: Olympic Skydive Exhibition Team
• YouTube Channel

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Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Patreon Community! Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:

- suggest who you'd like to hear on the podcast
- learn what interviews will be upcoming
- submit questions for future guests
-receive show swag

Join our community and support the pod!

Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcast

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Are you interested in partnering with the 20 Minute Call as an advertiser? Let's work together! E-mail us at podcast@beyondmarketing.xyz

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My guest today is considered by many to be one of the greatest skydiving aerial photographers and cinematographers in the history of the sport. Norman Kent made his first jump at 19 years old. Now, at 68, he is still on the top of the mountain capturing the sport's most extraordinary images. At the time of this recording, the October 2024 cover of Parachutist Magazine is one of Norman’s images.

With over 30,000 skydives made with a camera, Norman has witnessed and documented skydiving’s most extraordinary world records and beautiful moments. Some of these moments include capturing the Olympic Rings formation jump made during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1988 Olympic Games.

This jump was broadcast live to one billion people around the globe to over 160 nations.

Norman’s work has been published in prestigious magazines such Time, Playboy, the Guinness Book of World Records and Popular Photography. He has been part of blockbuster feature films such as Kingsman, Triple XXX, and Godzilla. He has shot commercials for the world’s largest brands including Smirnoff, Cocal-Cola, Visa and Ford, to name a few.

I’m so pleased to welcome a skydiving icon, mentor and most of all, a thoughtful and warm human being, Norman Kent.

MEDIA LINKS

• Website: Norman Kent Productions
• Video: Aerial Pyro by Team Fastrax
• Video: NKP Commercial HTC Promo
• Video: 100-Way Canopy Formation World Record
• Video: "Never Give Up"
• Video: "Deanna" a Tribute from Real TV
• Video: Olympic Skydive Exhibition Team
• YouTube Channel

Support The Show

Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Patreon Community! Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:

- suggest who you'd like to hear on the podcast
- learn what interviews will be upcoming
- submit questions for future guests
-receive show swag

Join our community and support the pod!

Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcast

ADVERTISE

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Jen Davidson, a distinguished former member of the elite U.S. Army Golden Knights, has showcased her skydiving expertise in some of the most high-profile jumps worldwide, including an awe-inspiring jump at the Statue of Liberty and multiple high-profile stadium jumps as part of the demonstration team. Throughout her remarkable career, Jen has claimed multiple national and world championship titles, solidifying her legacy in the sport.

Since retiring from the Golden Knights, Jen's commitment to pushing boundaries hasn't slowed down. She recently completed flight school and now pilots Black Hawk helicopters—a testament to her drive and adaptability. Jen's journey is marked by relentless pursuit of excellence and professionalism. Her leadership and mentorship have left an enduring impact on those around her, both in skydiving circles and beyond.

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Brian "BK" Krause is a legendary figure in the skydiving community, with an impressive career that spans both military and civilian achievements. With over 23,000 jumps to his name, BK is known for leading the resurgence of the U.S. Army's Golden Knights 8-Way formation skydiving team. Under his leadership as captain and player-coach, the Golden Knights claimed a silver medal at the 2010 World Championships, followed by gold at the 2011 World Cup and 2012 World Championships.

Beyond his own competitive success, BK played a pivotal role in establishing the Golden Knights’ all-women’s 4-Way team, which went on to win a World Championship just four years later—a testament to his leadership and vision. Even after his departure, the Golden Knights continued to thrive, winning three consecutive World Championships in 2014, 2016, and 2018, all tied to the foundation BK helped build.

As a civilian, BK's achievements continued. In 2019, he rejoined his Paraclete XP teammates to win gold at the U.S. Nationals, defeating his former team. In 2022, BK added another World Championship title to his already remarkable legacy with XP8.

BK’s contributions to the sport and his incredible journey make him a true icon in the world of skydiving.

Support The Show

Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Patreon Community! Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:

- suggest who you'd like to hear on the podcast
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-receive show swag

Join our community and support the pod!

Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcast

ADVERTISE

Are you interested in partnering with the 20 Minute Call as an advertiser? Let's work together! E-mail us at podcast@beyondmarketing.xyz