50 Years of Skydive Perris

In 1976, Ben and Diane Conatser bought Perris Valley Airport. Their first employee, Jim Wilkins, convinced them to try taking the skydivers up. Fifty years later, their children Pat and Melanie own and run Skydive Perris, and Pat’s son Ryan works here too: three generations, one drop zone.

In 2026 we celebrated 50 years together. Explore the stories and the photos:

Perris Legacy Project

The people, teams and moments that made 50 years of Skydive Perris: legends, records and the stories behind the banners.

Meet the legends

50th Anniversary Celebration

Photos from the celebration weekend, October 30 to November 1, 2026, and a big thank-you to the Perris family.

See the photos

Click a photo to see it larger.