Importance of a D license?

[Jib 0]

Some boogies/DZ's require a C or D license for certain skydives, e.g. beach landing. What effect you think the new licensing requirements will have? Do you think they'll still require a C or D license or a certain number of jumps, etc.?

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[darkwing 5]

I think that it will vary. Many of these requirements are set by the DZO they can still do what they want, but some are also a result of USPA guidelines and BSRs. USPA has not yet adjusted their guidelines to accommodate the new license structure. My personal view is that the old should transition to the new, that is, if a C was required for something before a C should be required under the new standards. This has the effect of upgrading proficiency requirements, which I think is good.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[robskydiv 0]

I like your initial question. Technically when one meets all of the D-License requirements, he/she is awarded the title: "Master Skydiver" I used to interpret this as meaning one who has mastered the basics of formation skydiving, canopy control and safety. Changing the numbers requirement aren't going to change a thing. The sport will continued to be represented well by those who have been mentored and poorly by those who haven't regardless of the number requirement.

[motherhucker 0]

Quote

I like your initial question. Technically when one meets all of the D-License requirements, he/she is awarded the title: "Master Skydiver" I used to interpret this as meaning one who has mastered the basics of formation skydiving, canopy control and safety. Changing the numbers requirement aren't going to change a thing. The sport will continued to be represented well by those who have been mentored and poorly by those who haven't regardless of the number requirement.

Here here. I think the "D" lic. is a crock of shit.
Or, more accurately, the title "master skydiver" is a crock of shit. I have seen countless "Master" skydivers who couldn't land their canopies in the same county as the LZ if they tried, and equal amounts of USPA "Masters" that I wouldn't feel safe with in the same 10 square miles of airspace.
Perhaps they should abandon the title "Master," and call it what it is: "Fledgling."
Calling yourself a Master skydiver is akin to calling yourself a skygod. It does nothing but instill false confidence in jumpers that should really be realizing how inexperienced they are, not the other way around.

200 jumps is nothing. Heck--2000 jumps is really nothing. When one finally recognizes that they are a forever student, then they become open to continual learning and constant progression and improvement.

[SkySlut 0]

well as far as the keys boogie goes...the only requirement is going to be that you have live water training.

[darkwing 5]

"crock of shit" is a bit extreme I think. While I agree that there are plenty of people who have skills either well above or well below their nominal experience level, it is still useful to have simple measures of performance. One reality about any simple performance indicator is that it is flawed--regardless of how hard you try to make it valid. I have no quarrel with those who would like to increase the performance requirements for the D license. Go ahead and put together a *workable*, achieveable set of requirements for each license and submit it to the USPA. I think there is a lot of sentiment to support some changes.

Also, do not make the mistake of believing that any set of standards makes any specific jumper bomb-proof. There are plenty of dead guys who you would have categorized as truly skilled.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[robskydiv 0]

Well put motherhucker. You make a salient point.