Ron 10 #1 March 21, 2005 Answer: Bram Clement I had the opportunity to do my AFF eval course with Bram and Elly. I say opportunity since I was quite frankly amazed by them. They were a first class team and I can honestly say that every single time I jumped with Bram I learned something new. Every-Single-Time. Not only was he a fantastic jumper, but he also was able to remember *every thing* that happened on the dive. With two Canidates giving him signals at the same time he was able to remember both canidates signals and give a great debrief to both canidates. The debriefs were good, honest and I learned a ton from them. I really can't say enough great things about them. I would recomend Bram and Elly to ANYONE with out a seconds hesitation. http://www.skydiveratings.com/ Funny story from the course. My last jump I had to get out low. Bram gave me an OK exit but without an arch. The second I shook him to arch he not only arched great, but *keyed* the break....I was so stunned...Here was a Student keying on the hill. I wish I had more time to work and learn from them. If I can become 1/8th the instructor that they are...I will be a happy man."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 March 21, 2005 I got to watch Bram when he was in town running an AFF course at Aggieland this past year. When it was possible I would sit near him while debreifing and training the canidates, it was amazing watching the video and listening to him teach. Definately one squared away instructor.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superfletch 1 #3 March 21, 2005 I've known Bram a little while now. I met him while traveling through Ohio a few years back. My father and I sat and talked with him and Elly for quite a while and were stunned to learn that their home is about 15-20 minutes down the street from ours in Missouri. You talk about a small world. Hahahaha... Anyhow, over the years I have had the opportunity to watch him instruct and sat and talked to him several times. Bram and Elly are both TOP notch people. In two weeks I am going to have the opportunity to be his student, or should I say I am going to have the opportunity for him to be my student. I will be taking his AFF Pre-Course and then hopefully his AFF course. Above being a GREAT instructor he is an honest one and if after taking the pre-course you aren't ready for the actual course he will tell you and not allow you to waste your money. Integrity is also a trate I admire in Bram. I can't wait for the whole experience and I only hope I don't end up wasting his time. I'm starting to stress and it's less than two weeks away. Man I hate simulated ground preps... hahahahaha . Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I Videographer/Photographer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #4 March 21, 2005 I've known both for years. Not only are they great instructors, they're also great people. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #5 March 21, 2005 QuoteI've known both for years. Not only are they great instructors, they're also great people. _Am Amen to that, Andy! And to everyone else who put in their $.02 worth in. We have know Bram and Elly for almost 10 years, they were of immense help to Lynn when she was a struggling student. My favorite quote from Bram regarding AFF certification courses: "I have never failed a single candidate. They failed themselves." Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velvetjo 0 #6 March 21, 2005 Bram and Elly rock! I did my coach course with Elly and one eval dive with Bram this past November, and learned a lot from both of them. Both of them genuinely enjoy teaching, and they made the course fun. Lance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plummet 0 #7 March 22, 2005 I am PROUD to say that Bram taught me to skydive. I was a remedial student so I was a bit of a challenge. Bram also gave me "Plummet". During one particular debrief he said, "Skydive? That was more like a plummet!" 10 years ago. -Jeff. http://www.iplummet.com Common sense and common courtesy are NOT common. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjhdiver 0 #8 March 22, 2005 QuoteAnswer: Bram Clement Damn. I've been replaced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #9 March 22, 2005 QuoteIn Reply To -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Answer: Bram Clement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Damn. I've been replaced. I was never your student. But you are one of the best Organizers I know, and I learned alot about that from you....But that was not the question"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
divnswoop 0 #10 March 22, 2005 I had the pleasure of working with Bram and Elly for several summers in Ohio. How great are they?!!!!! Bram is one of those people who strives to become a better instructor everyday. Thankfully, a little of that wears off onto the instructors around him. No matter how many jumps you have, he is always asking questions and showing you different ways to look at the same situation. Elly and I had a AFF student that was, lets just say a handful! The exit went to crap, she flushed, and after wrestling for 6,600' I ended up pulling this guy @ 7,400. As soon as we landed he is right there asking me what happened and what went on. While he is giving me a hard time, Elly is over my other shoulder telling him to "shut-up Bram, you were not there." I'm thankful that she was there to back my decision, but I know Bram was there to make sure I came to the right conclusion to the problem.(giving me a hard time about it was just bonus) I'm a little sad I don't get to see either of them in freefall anymore, but I do see some of his thinking in mine when I'm talking to newer instructors about stuff. Miss you guys! swoop ....best compliment I ever got from Bram is when he and I took a level 3 out with me on the mainside....first time I ever saw him go reserve in 3 years...( I thought I was going to have to intentionally funnel an exit to ever end up on the main side) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dan_iv 0 #11 March 22, 2005 mine is one who made 6 jumps w/ me on Sunday and who was just discussed about here a little bit ago, she is awesome! so are the other instructors i've jumped w/ like Erny and Cat2 but they aren't nearly as pretty to look at in freefall.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmcd308 0 #12 March 23, 2005 He did my coach course. His ability to fly like a newbie, complete with facial expressions and potato chipping, is amazing. ---------------------------------- www.jumpelvis.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lauras 0 #13 March 25, 2005 I second that emotion. I went through Bram's AFF course a couple of weeks ago. I had no idea how much I could learn about skydiving and instructing in one short week. And you're right about the debriefs - I thought I had decent recall and then I got a Bram Debrief. Both Bram & Elly were very thorough in every aspect of the course and I learned a tremendous amount about how to be the most effective instructor I can be. Remember Barbara Woodhouse's old TV show "No Bad Dogs"? Well, "No Bad AFF Students" kept running through my head the entire week. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
