AXIS Coach™
Brianne Thompson

Photo by Niklas Daniel
FAI

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USPA

 

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USIS

 

 

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Photo by Samantha Schwann.

I believe, that students learn best in an environment where they are relaxed. So my philosophy and approach is to make the learning process as fun as I can make it. I coach all types of students, in the tunnel and in the air, and I bring my passion and enthusiasm for my sport into my teachings.

My approach to teaching complex and advanced skills is to break them down into a series of simple, manageable, and achievable skills.

Because my passion for coaching also extends to the competition side, I still continue to do player-coach teams across multiple disciplines, and I continue to challenge myself at the World Level in Speed Skydiving.

Skydiving Stats

Nationality:

USA

Languages:

English

Occupation:

Skydiver (Co-Founder / Owner of AXIS Flight School)

Appointments:

USPA S&TA (Mountain Region).

Licenses / Ratings:

USPA D License; USIS Founding Member;
Coach; AFF-I; Tandem-I; IAD;
HAPS Certified;
IBA Tunnel Instructor LVL 3;
IBA Coach Rating for FS, Static, Dynamic, FWE (flying with equipment);
USPA PRO rated;
Private Pilot (ASEL);
USHPA P2 rated.

Number of Jumps:

16,000+

Tunnel Time:

Thousands of hours since 2003

Emergency Cutaway:

Sport: 12.

Intentional Cutaway:

5.

Competition History

Peak Competition Performances

Speed Skydiving

  • Highest ISSA Eternal Ranking: #20 (Sep. 2024).
  • Highest scoring round1, 2: 497.80 km/h / 309.31 mph.
  • Highest average1, 2: 487.75 km/h / 303.07 mph.
  • Highest total1: 3902.00 km/h / 2424.59 mph.
  • Highest scoring round Mixed Team3 (Team USA with Niklas Daniel): 493.52 km/h / 306.67 mph.
  • Highest overall average Mixed Team3 (Team USA with Niklas Daniel): 488.74 km/h / 303.69 mph.
  • Highest National Team Total3 (Team USA with Niklas Daniel and Michael Brewer): 11,904.10 km/h / 7,334.73 mph. 

    Footnotes:
    1 Achieved at the 2024 USPA Nationals at Sykdive Chicago. 
    2 World record at the time (Sep. 2024). 
    3 Achieved at the 5th Speed Skydiving FAI World Championships 2024 at Sykdive Crystal Coast. 

Vertical Formation Skydiving

  • VFS 4-Way Open — Highest average: 17.8 points
    (USPA National Skydiving Championships 2018).
  • VFS 4-Way Open — Single highest scoring round: 24 points
    (USPA National Skydiving Championships 2019).

Vertical Formation Skydiving indoor

  • VFS 4-way Open Indoor — Highest average: 26.1 points
    (2019 USIS National Championships).
  • VFS 4-way Open Indoor — Single highest scoring round: 46 points
    (2019 USIS National Championships).

Mixed Formation Skydiving

  • MFS 2-Way Open — Highest average: 12.0 points
    (USPA National Championships 2017).
  • MFS 2-Way Open — Single highest scoring round: 17 points
    (USPA National Championships 2017).

Formation Skydiving

  • FS 4-Way Open (Women) — Highest average: 19.8 points
    (FAI World Skydiving Championships 2008).
  • FS 4-Way Open — Competition record, female 4-way formation skydiving: 26 points (also national female record)
    (USPA National Championships 2009).

Formation Skydiving indoor

  • FS 4-way Open Indoor — Highest average: 18.3
    (IBA US National Championships 2017).
  • FS 4-way Open Indoor — Single highest scoring round: 24 points
    (IBA US National Championships 2017).

FAI World Championships and World Cups

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1st in Speed (National Team), Beaufort NC, USA (2024),
2nd in Speed (Mixed Team), Beaufort NC, USA (2024),
3rd in Speed (Female), Beaufort NC, USA (2024),
2nd in Speed (Female), Prostějov, Czech Republic (2023),
3rd in FS 4-way (Female) and
3rd in VFS 4-way, Eloy, USA (2019), making Brianne the first female skydiver ever to medal in both disciplines at an FAI World Competition,
4th in VFS 4-way, Saarlouis, Germany (2017),
3rd in FS 4-way (Female), Menzelinsk, Russia (2010),
2nd in FS 4-way (Female), Maubeuge, France (2008),
4th in FS 4-way (Female), Gera, Germany (2006).

ISSA World Cup Series

World Cups n/a0   n/a0   n/a0
World Cup Series Events n/a1   n/a1   n/a0

2nd in Speed (Open), World Series Event in March 2024 at Eloy, USA,
1st in Speed (Female), World Series Event in March 2024 at Eloy, USA.

USPA National Skydiving Championships

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4th in Speed Skydiving Open and best female competitor (2024),
3rd in Speed Skydiving Open and best female competitor (2023),
12th in Speed Skydiving Open and best female competitor (2022),
2nd in VFS 4-Way Open (2019),
2nd in VFS 4-Way Open (2018),
2nd in Women"s Speed Skydiving (Test Event 2017),
3rd in VFS 4-way Open (2017),
4th in MFS 2-way Open (2017),
3rd in VFS 4-way Open (2016),
3rd in VFS 4-way Open (2015),
6 x Best Female Team, FS 4-way Open (2005-2010).

USIS National Championships

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3rd in VFS 4-way Open (2019).

Other Skydiving Competitions (indoor or outdoor)

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2nd in VFS 4-way Open (2017 Paraclete XP Indoor Championships),
3rd in FS 4-way Open (2017 IBA USA Indoor National Championships),
1st in VFS 4-way Open (2016 Battle of the Blades at iFly Seattle),
3rd in VFS 2-way Open (2016 Battle of the Blades at iFly Seattle).

Records

So far, Brianne has set

  • 7 world records,
  • 16 continental records (N. America),
  • 9 national records, and
  • 10 state records.
FAI Record 20526FAI Record 20521FAI Record 20498FAI Record 18267

World Records
(Open & Female)

FAI #20573 G-1 Speed (11 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Mixed Team (with Niklas Daniel): 491.87 km/h (305.63 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).


FAI #20526 G-1 Speed (9 Oct 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 491.84 km/h (305.62 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).


FAI #20521 G-1 Speed (8 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 495 km/h (307.58 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).


FAI #20498 G-1 Speed (7 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 494.75 km/h (307.42 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [eclipsed].


FAI #20452 G-1 Speed (18 Sep 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 487.75 km/h (303.07 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [claimed].


FAI #20450 G-1 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 497.8 km/h (309.32 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [claimed].


FAI #18267 G-2 Speed (23 Sep 2017) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 384.66 km/h (239.017 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Perris (CA) [eclipsed].


FAI Record 20527FAI Record 20522FAI Record 20499FAI Record 20071FAI Record 20070FAI Record 20045FAI Record 20034FAI Record 20032FAI Record 18262FAI Record 18261

North America Records
(Open & Female)

FAI #20553 G-1 Speed (11 Oct 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed - Team (with Mixed Team USA): 488.74 km/h (303.69 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [claimed].


FAI #20549 G-1 Speed (11 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Mixed Team USA): 493.52 km/h (306.66 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [claimed].


FAI #20527 G-1 Speed (9 Oct 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 491.84 km/h (305.62 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).


FAI #20522 G-1 Speed (8 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 495 km/h (307.58 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC).


FAI #20499 G-1 Speed (7 Oct 2024) — Highest Average Speed - Team (with Team USA): 494.75 km/h (307.42 mph) at FAI World Meet at Skydive Crystal Coast (NC) [eclipsed].


FAI #20453 G-1 Speed (18 Sep 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 481.75 km/h (299.35 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [claimed].


FAI #20451 G-2 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Max Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 500.868 km/h (311.226 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [claimed].


FAI #20449 G-1 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 497.8 km/h (309.32 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL) [claimed].


FAI #20071 G-1 Speed (16 Sep 2023) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 473.76 km/h (294.38 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC) [eclipsed].


FAI #20070 G-1 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Highest Average Speed: 481.75 km/h (299.35 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC) [eclipsed].


FAI #20068 G-2 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 485.68 km/h (301.788 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC) [eclipsed].


FAI #20045 G-1 Speed (23 Aug 2023) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 472.77 km/h (293.77 mph) at FAI World Cup in Prostějov (Czechia) [eclipsed].


FAI #20034 G-2 Speed (22 Aug 2023) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 485.35 km/h (301.583 mph) at FAI World Cup in Prostějov (Czechia) [eclipsed].


FAI #20032 G-1 Speed (22 Aug 2023) — Highest Average Speed: 481.04 km/h (298.91 mph) at FAI World Cup in Prostějov (Czechia) [eclipsed].


FAI #18262 G-2 Speed (23 Sep 2017) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 384.66 km/h (239.017 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Perris (CA) [eclipsed].


FAI #18261 G-1 Speed (23 Sep 2017) — Highest Average Vertical Speed: 347.05 km/h (215.65 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Perris (CA) [retired].


USPA Record 400279USPA Record 400282USPA Record 400281USPA Record 400128USPA Record 400143USPA Record 400129USPA Record 400085USPA Record 400084USPA Record 200061

National Records, Female

USPA #400279 G-1 Speed (18 Sep 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 487.75 km/h (303.07 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).


USPA #400282 G-2 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 500.9 km/h (311.246 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).


USPA #400281 G-1 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 497.8 km/h (309.32 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).


USPA #400128 G-1 Speed (16 Sep 2023) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 473.76 km/h (294.38 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).


USPA #400143 G-2 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Greatest Freefall Speed: 485.676 km/h (301.786 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).


USPA #400129 G-1 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Highest Average Speed: 481.75 km/h (299.35 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).


USPA #400085 G-1 Speed (22 Aug 2023) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 472.77 km/h (293.77 mph) at FAI World Cup in Prostějov (Czechia) [eclipsed].


USPA #400084 G-1 Speed (22 Aug 2023) — Highest Average Speed: 481.04 km/h (298.91 mph) at FAI World Cup in Prostějov (Czechia) [eclipsed].


USPA #200061 G-1 FS (14 Oct 2009) — 4-Way Longest Sequence: 26 points at USPA Nationals at Skydive Spaceland (TX) [eclipsed].


USPA Record 400278USPA Record 400283USPA Record 400280USPA Record 400208USPA Record 400200USPA Record 400142USPA Record 400126USPA Record 400124USPA Record 100110USPA Record 100130

State Records, Female

Illinois: USPA #400278 G-1 Speed (18 Sep 2024) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 487.75 km/h (303.07 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).


Illinois: USPA #400283 G-2 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Maximum Vertical Speed w/o Drogue: 500.9 km/h (311.246 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).


Illinois: USPA #400280 G-1 Speed (17 Sep 2024) — Highest Average Speed: 497.8 km/h (309.32 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Chicago (IL).


Arizona: USPA #400208 G-2 Speed (20 Apr 2024) — Greatest Freefall Speed: 500.364 km/h (310.913 mph) at Skydive Arizona (AZ).


Arizona: USPA #400200 G-2 Speed (30 Mar 2024) — Greatest Freefall Speed: 487.655 km/h (303.016 mph) at ISSA World Cup Series at Skydive Arizona (AZ).


North Carolina: USPA #400142 G-2 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Greatest Freefall Speed: 485.676 km/h (301.786 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).


North Carolina: USPA #400126 G-1 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Highest Overall Average Speed: 473.76 km/h (294.38 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).


North Carolina: USPA #400124 G-1 Speed (15 Sep 2023) — Highest Average Speed: 481.75 km/h (299.35 mph) at USPA Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP (NC).


Arizona: USPA #100130 G-2 FS (27 Dec 2010) — FS Large Formation: 27-Way at Skydive Arizona (AZ).


Texas: USPA #100110 G-1 FS (14 Oct 2009) — 4-Way Longest Sequence: 26 points at USPA Nationals at Skydive Spaceland (TX).


Achievement: 180-Hour Freefall Badge (2020) to Brianne ThompsonAchievement: 12,000 Jump Wings (2020) to Brianne ThompsonRegional Achievement Award 2015 to Brianne ThompsonChesley H Judy USPA Safety Award 2015 to Brianne Thompson

Awards and Recognitions

USPA 180-Hour Freefall Badge (2020) for completion of 180 hours of freefall in accordance with the Basic Safety and Requirements of the USPA.
USPA 12,000 Jump Wings (2020) for completion of 12,000 skydives in accordance with the Basic Safety Requirements of the USPA.
USPA Regional Achievement Award (2016) for her work in teaching disabled veterans to skydive through Operation Enduring Warrior; for developing highly customized curricula to instruct and train mulitple wounded verterans through to their A licenses, allowing them to enter the sport of skydiving despite many obstacles.
Chesley H. Judy USPA Safety Award (2015) in recognition for having, through example, deed, training, or innovation, promoted safety in the sport of skydiving.

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