what do you want out of the uspa

[bodypilot90 0]

1) Do you think the uspa is doing a good job?
2) Do you feel membership dues are a good value for the money?
3) Do you feel they are looking out after "joe upjumper"?
4) what would you like to see them do that they are not doing now?
5) How do you feel about the group member program?
6) what do you feel they doing that they should not be doing now?
7) Do you really care what the uspa does?
8) Do you feel that swooping should be added to the nationals?
******added*********
9) Do you feel membership to the uspa should be manditory?
10) If you feel the uspa is broke. How would you fix it?
11) Would you like to have a real time, town hall type chat with the
national directors (internet relay chat)?
12)What single thing should be on the uspa's top priority list?
Bill Flynn candidate for the fun jumper
D24249

[Deleted 0]

1) Do you think the uspa is doing a good job?
A fair job. There are certain aspects that pertain to the jumpers in general that have been overlooked.
2) Do you feel membership dues are a good value for the money?
Yes
3) Do you feel they are looking out after "joe upjumper"?
No. The recent debacle over the 120-180 reserve repack extension is really good indicator of how the USPA has become a Drop Zone Operator group, while leaving the regular up jumpers out in the cold.
4) what would you like to see them do that they are not doing now?
Use rec.skydiving on a regular basis. They will say "but we have a website". I use Sprint PCS to access the web from my truck. Do you have any idea how long it takes (not to mention how much it costs) to load a *single* html page? Usenet is a much more effective means of electronic communication, it's already there, and it's free. What more could they ask for?
5) How do you feel about the group member program?
Simple. It has been losing money, and it is NOT in the bounds of "To keep skydivers skydiving", so, ditch it. Burn it up. Toss it. Whatever, just get rid of it.
6) what do you feel they doing that they should not be doing now?
Asking any questions whatsoever to the Group Members that would effect the General Membership. Can anyone say conflict of interest?
7) Do you really care what the uspa does?
Yes
8) Do you feel that swooping should be added to the nationals?
In the light of the past and recent deaths do to misjudged turns and flares under high performance canopys, I would have to say no. A competition for swooping, if included in the nationals, would be won by the big names, that's a given. The problem is, if it were made a category, it would give that many more jumpers a reason to start hooking. Do we really need that at this time? This is supposed to be fun, remember? Even the Nationals started out as a fun competition. Now it seems you need mega sponsors, and the ability to jump full time for training just to get on the board.
I say scale *back* the nationals, and raise the levels of small to midsize boogies. Let's bring the fun back, before we lose everything.
Oh, yea. Hi Bill. You got my vote, so far. Let's see if you can keep it! Rev Jim
A-39869
"It's just what I do..."

[skybytch 273]

1) Do you think the uspa is doing a good job?
Overall, yes.
2) Do you feel membership dues are a good value for the money?
I get a nice magazine (Parachutist has come a long way from what it was when I started jumping), insurance should I screw up and injure a whuffo or damage a whuffo's property and a voice in Washington defending my right to jump. Yeah, I think <$50 a year is a fair price for all that.
3) Do you feel they are looking out after "joe upjumper"?
I can't think of anything more I'd like USPA to do for me.
4) what would you like to see them do that they are not doing now?
See #3
5) How do you feel about the group member program?
Doesn't affect me much. I try to keep my membership current because I appreciate the role USPA has played in us being able to jump at all, so the fact that the dz I jump at is a group member and requires it isn't a big deal.
6) what do you feel they doing that they should not be doing now?
See #3
7) Do you really care what the uspa does?
As long as my magazine shows up, I can jump on a sunny day and my renewal and awards are handled promptly... nope. I hate political b.s.
8) Do you feel that swooping should be added to the nationals?
Yes. I don't swoop, but those who do should be able to compete at Nationals along with the other disciplines. Swooping can be dangerous, but CRW, freefly, skysurfing and RW can also be dangerous if attempted without proper instruction/training/equipment. The key to eliminating "hook turn" fatalities is making quality training/coaching available, not banning or ignoring swooping.
9) Do you feel membership to the uspa should be manditory?
I think that should be left up to the individual dzo. If the dz wants the protection of knowing that every jumper there has the third party insurance, then they should be able to require USPA membership. If I choose not to be a member, then I'd be choosing not to jump at dz's that require it. Simple.
10) If you feel the uspa is broke. How would you fix it?
Not fixable. I think the only problem with USPA is the b.s. politics. That will never go away - this is an organization run "by and for skydivers"; we're all opinionated, aggressive personalities who can always find something to argue about.
11) Would you like to have a real time, town hall type chat with the national directors (internet relay chat)?
That'd be cool, especially for those jumpers who've never met any of the directors.
pull & flare,
lisa
"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda sez

[mountainman 0]

1) Do you think the uspa is doing a good job?
Yes.
2) Do you feel membership dues are a good value for the money?
I really like the magazine and if I break something of someone elses, it is good to know the insurance is there. That is totally worth the money right there.
3) Do you feel they are looking out after "joe upjumper"?
Yes.
4) What would you like to see them do that they are not doing now?
Work on changing the repack cycle to 180 days.
5) How do you feel about the group member program?
I think the dropzone should decide to be in it. If they dont want to, they shouldn't have to. It doesn't directly involve me and I don't understand it enough to comment anyway.
6) what do you feel they doing that they should not be doing now?
Sending Laura and I two magazines for one household.
7) Do you really care what the uspa does?
Of course. But they seem to be in pretty good order right now.
8) Do you feel that swooping should be added to the nationals?
Absolutely. This is probably the one discipline that will get skydiving more noticed by an audience since it is done in view without binoculars or video. So, if we add it, perhaps there will get more exposure for it. Also, if it is added, perhaps there will be more of a need for good coaching.
9) Do you feel membership to the uspa should be manditory?
No. If you don't want the magazine, insurance, licenses, awards, or people lobbying for you, then don't get it. However, if a DZ requires you have it to jump there, I have no problem at all with that.
10) If you feel the uspa is broke. How would you fix it?
I don't have access to their bank account. Is there a way to find out? (Not that I can do anything.)
11) Would you like to have a real time, town hall type chat with the national directors (internet relay chat)?
Not really. I don't really have anything to ask them. If I were to meet them, I would rather do it in person.
12)What single thing should be on the uspa's top priority list?
See #4.
-----------
Great questions! Some of those actually took some thought to answer. And, of course, these answers are coming from a total newbie who just send his first renewal for a USPA membership. So, I have just under one year in.
JumpinDuo.com...news, pictures, skydiving and links.

[quade 4]

1) Do you think the uspa is doing a good job?
Yes, but there is always room for improvement.
2) Do you feel membership dues are a good value for the money?
Yes. Nice magazine. Nice liability insurance. Good standards. Good lobby efforts.
3) Do you feel they are looking out after "joe upjumper"?
I feel that they are, however I hear storys that they're really looking out for the Group Members. I think that ultimately it's all the same kettle of fish and we shouldn't be fighting ourselves as much as laying low and fighting unnessary regulation when it rears its' ugly head.
4) what would you like to see them do that they are not doing now?
Well, the VCIP was a step in the right direction. Too bad that never caught on.
Side issue that needs to be lobbied -- I'd like to see a better marking on aeronautical charting. That little parachute symbol really gets placed in some silly places with respect to the airport symbol. I'd like to see some sort of 5 statute mile ring like they have for Class D airports centered on the landing area. Of course, that's an FAA lobbying issue, a Group Member issue and not really an "up jumper" issue, so if anything like that ever was to happen, most "up jumpers" wouldn't even realize it.
5) How do you feel about the group member program?
Again, I think that what's good for the Group Member DZs is probably good for the sport in general. It's not the "up jumpers" that the FAA is going to come after when something goes wrong -- it's the DZO.
6) what do you feel they doing that they should not be doing now?
They shouldn't be supporting DZs that aren't supporting them.
7) Do you really care what the uspa does?
Hell yes!
8) Do you feel that swooping should be added to the nationals?
Not unless the rules were changed.
9) Do you feel membership to the uspa should be manditory?
It's not mandatory right now! If you choose to jump at a Group Member DZ, then yes, you have to play by their rules, but nobody says you have to jump at a Group Member DZ.
10) If you feel the uspa is broke. How would you fix it?
I don't think it's broke, but there's almost always some room for improvement. About the only thing I'd like to see changed is that -nothing- happen in secrecy. If the USPA is "our" organization and "I AM USPA" then I do not see how anyone can justify secret meetings or votes or decisions.
11) Would you like to have a real time, town hall type chat with the national directors (internet relay chat)?
It would be interesting and possibly even effective with people that can deal with IRC. However, that leaves out a very large portion of the individual membership. Believe it or not, most individual members are not as internet savvy as even the novices on rec.skydiving or dropzone.com. Heck, it's a chore just trying to send email to the rest of my teammates sometimes!
12)What single thing should be on the uspa's top priority list?
Without a doubt in my mind the top priority of the USPA should be its lobby efforts and constantly improving its relationship with the FAA. To my mind, nothing else the USPA does matters if the FAA doesn't let us jump!
quade
http://futurecam.com

[prepheckt 0]

1) Do you think the uspa is doing a good job?
Yes, for the most part
2) Do you feel membership dues are a good value for the money?
yes, I have my own insurance,but it's good to know it's there. I also look forward to each new Parachutist each month.
3) Do you feel they are looking out after "joe upjumper"?
Yes, they are trying to fix what's wrong and improve what works, it may not work,but they're trying.
4) what would you like to see them do that they are not doing now? Allow all members access to financial statements, to see how our money is being spent. This will allow us to make sure it isn't wasted.
5) How do you feel about the group member program?
It's all up to the DZO I think. A DZ should not be forced to join if they don't want to.
6) what do you feel they are doing that they should not be doing now? Again, not sure
7) Do you really care what the uspa does?
Yes, they represent me to the FAA, and try to make this sport safer.
8) Do you feel that swooping should be added to the nationals?. I would have to say no, until they can certify people (not sure how)
******added*********
9) Do you feel membership to the uspa should be manditory?
No, its all up to the individual jumper. I like being a member.
10) If you feel the uspa is broke. How would you fix it?
Don't know that it is.
11) Would you like to have a real time, town hall type chat with the
national directors (internet relay chat)? Sure, I'd like to see what they'd say.
12)What single thing should be on the uspa's top priority list?
Changing the repack cycle to 6 months

[AndyMan 7]

1) Do you think the uspa is doing a good job?
yes.
2) Do you feel membership dues are a good value for the money?
yes
3) Do you feel they are looking out after "joe upjumper"?
generally, yes.
4) what would you like to see them do that they are not doing now?
nothing jumps out.
5) How do you feel about the group member program?
I LIKE the idea of a "DZ certification", and the group membership serves this purpose. I like the idea that whuffo's can walk into a DZ and not get the "fandango" experience. The group member program seems to set a bar for DZ standards.... not a very high bar mind you, but at least there's a bar.
6) what do you feel they doing that they should not be doing now?
arguing.
7) Do you really care what the uspa does?
of course!
8) Do you feel that swooping should be added to the nationals?
Yes. Swooping should be in the nationals for the exact same reason every other genre of skydiving is. Competition accelerates growth, learning, and evolution of technique.
9) Do you feel membership to the uspa should be manditory?
That shoul be up to the DZ. It should not be a requirement for group membership.
10) If you feel the uspa is broke. How would you fix it?
I'm not sure.... the only thing that frustrated me in recent history was the clusterfuck called the last election. That a popular candidate was denied a place on the ballot, then won through a write in campaign was fundamentally rediculous.
11) Would you like to have a real time, town hall type chat with the national directors (internet relay chat)?
If there was a good moderator, yes. I'd hate to see the mud slinging-fest it would be if it was wide open.
12)What single thing should be on the uspa's top priority list?
FAA / government relations. As we saw in September, the biggest threat this sport has is from governmental inteference (aka regulation). It's just too easy for the whole sport to be shut down, we can be kicked out of airports, and we can't seem to get a reasonable repack schedule. The USPA must continue to be a good voice for us in Washington.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
AIM: andrewdmetcalfe
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[TomAiello 26]

The USPA needs to change it's name.
The United States PARACHUTE Association, by naming itself that, and by actively excluding my branch of parachuting, greatly HARMS our efforts to gain legitimacy and recognition from policy makers.
--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com
BASE 579

[mountainman 0]

How does that "exclude" your branch of parachuting?
JumpinDuo.com...news, pictures, skydiving and links.

[Jimbo 0]

Quote

How does that "exclude" your branch of parachuting?

Did you see the BASE number there?
The USPA does absolutely NOTHING for BASE jumpers. BASE jumpers also use a parachute to get back to Mother Earth unharmed.
-
Jim

[bodypilot90 0]

How would you like the uspa to support base jumping?

[billvon 3,090]

>The United States PARACHUTE Association, by naming itself that, and by
>actively excluding my branch of parachuting . . .
They no longer do that - you can place an ad for a BASE/freefly video in Parachutist and not get censored.
Should USPA actively support BASE? No. It is not skydiving, although it is similar; parasailing and paragliding are in the same situation. I don't think USPA should actively support those two activities either.
>greatly HARMS our efforts to gain legitimacy and recognition from policy makers.
I think BASE jumpers themselves do the most to harm efforts towards building legitamacy. There are several organizations out there that promote BASE jumping, primarily the IPBC and the CJAA. They don't actively support skydiving; USPA doesn't need to actively support BASE.
-bill von

[TomAiello 26]

Ideally, I'd like to see them supporting BASE--specifically with lobbying efforts to legalize sites in U.S. National Parks. Things the USPA could do would include:
1) Helping lobby efforts to legalize sites in U.S. National Parks.
2) Allowing BASE related letters, articles and advertisements to be printed in Parachutist (censorship is currently absolute).
3) Including an index of BASE training schools with their DZ index. This would point skydivers who are prospective BASE jumpers toward quality, safe instruction. One of our biggest problems is skydivers with no experience and no training (who probably don't know where to get either) getting hurt. Currently, many skydivers are unaware that training programs exist, and hence learn to jump from their buddies. Imagine thinking it was ok for your friend with 25 jumps to take you skydiving. That happens in BASE all the time.
4) Referring BASE related questions to someone with the expertise to answer them. If someone calls USPA headquarters with a question about hang gliding, I bet they get referred to USHGA. Know what happened when I wanted to get into BASE and called them with that question?
Even though some of these things would take very little effort or expense (allowing BASE ads might actually help Parachutist's bottom line), I doubt the USPA will ever support BASE. We have been around that block many, many times.
The least I'd like to see is an open declaration that they don't do that, don't know about it, and don't claim to govern it. It looks really bad for us when an organization claiming to oversee sport parachuting labels us as an unapproved activity.
It'd be a bit like if AOPA claimed responsibility for all civilian air traffic of any kind, then labelling parachuting as an unapproved activity ( "Nope, we don't do that--that's crazy. Sure, go ahead and ban it, we're the experts on it, and we're telling you it's crazy" ) .
Sorry for sounding so angry. I'm just a bit tired of the USPA--and I'm still paying them dues.
--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com