dzswoop717 5 #1 January 28, 2014 Has anyone ever heard of a mobile tandem business in the US? I was down under in 08 and saw a mobile tandem operation that went from town to town offering tandems. I know airport access would be an issue but, beside that, what would be the issues with doing it here in the USA? Does each jump location have to have a USPA group membership? Would the tandem manufacturers have any jurisdiction over it? I was thinking of it working in conjunction with big events such as large out door concerts, fairs, motorcycle rallies, and so forth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckakers 426 #2 January 28, 2014 dzswoop717Has anyone ever heard of a mobile tandem business in the US? I was down under in 08 and saw a mobile tandem operation that went from town to town offering tandems. I know airport access would be an issue but, beside that, what would be the issues with doing it here in the USA? Does each jump location have to have a USPA group membership? Would the tandem manufacturers have any jurisdiction over it? I was thinking of it working in conjunction with big events such as large out door concerts, fairs, motorcycle rallies, and so forth. There's no requirement for any DZ in the US - temporary or otherwise - to be part of USPA. Years ago there were some guys that ran an operation they called "Tandems to You". They would arrange to run a tandem DZ from small airports in little towns for a weekend and then run ads in local newspapers and radio stations to fill up the slots. They flew a 206 from town to town and the crew drove a large RV that doubled as the manifest office, living area, and sleeping quarters. They found that airport access wasn't really an issue because airport managers liked the added fuel sales, attention it got the airport, and also that the DZ was a one-time novelty rather than a permanent hassle.Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimjumper 25 #3 January 28, 2014 Mark Schlater did this for while. He used a bus loaded with gear and traveled around to air shows and such. I think that he had more than one TI that traveled with him for these events. Logistically, I think it would be pretty tough to consistently make a profit. Aircraft and weather problems come to mind plus getting airport permission each time but it's been done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmarvin 2 #4 January 28, 2014 The tandem manufacturers would have justification in the way that all jumps in the United States must comply with manufacturers regulations. So as long as you use properly rated Instructors who follow the regs there should be no issue there. I may be wrong on the next part, but group membership covers a group not necessarily a location. For example several DZ's have done events off site. For example northern DZ headed south for a little beach boogie. I believe their USPA Group Membership still applied, including they still needed to comply with the Group Member Pledge. The best thing to do with this question is call USPA and ask them over the phone. The folks at headquarters are usually very helpful and friendly. Most anyone who answers the phone can help you, but if they can't they can get you to the right person. Good luck with your endeavors. DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzswoop717 5 #5 January 28, 2014 It's just an idea, not an endeavor yet. My wife and i are in the midst of a mid life crisis. Thinking about semi retirement. Something that could help pay the bills and that we would enjoy. I have prior dzo experience and never want to own or operate a full fledge DZ again. My current business has taken away most of my free time for the last 12 years. It feels like the right time to slow down and enjoy life. I have only made a few hundred jumps in the last 12 years and I miss it terribly. I currently don't make enough jumps per year to keep my tandem rating current. Just fishing for input about the possibility of such an endeavor. The good, bad and ugly of such an operation. Stuff I haven't thought of on my own. Details I am overlooking or forgetting. I think that owning the airplane is a must. There are a lot of details that would need to be worked out. Thanks for the replies thus far. Any more thoughts? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #6 January 28, 2014 These days there aren't to many places with people that doesn't have tamdems a available nearby. I think advertising enough to take business away from local dzs without lo al jumper recommendations would be hard. In the 80's it was rarer and there were several gypsy tandem masters.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
