Snowbird 0 #1 May 13, 2003 Maybe it's just me, but this came to my attention on the weekend and I imagine that other junior skydivers have had/will have this happen. I was sitting down with one of my instructors, talking about what else I need to do to get my 'B' license. We went through my logbook looking at what I've already done, comparing it with the licensing requirements. Now, I had done a few coach jumps at another dz with another instructor, with the understanding that they would count towards the 3 required jumps for my group RW endorsement. (before anyone goes huh? I'm talking CSPA) I showed them to my regular instructor to see what else I needed to do. Sadly, those jumps don't count for squat. Because the exact requirements aren't in the PIM's, I expected that the Coach2 I paid would know what I needed to do. Evidently not. And because I didn't know otherwise, I logged the jumps incorrectly, without clearly stating which requirements I'd completed. The Coach2 didn't add or write anything, not even that I was cleared to the next level. She also didn't sign me off as a Coach2, just with her license#. Even at the time, I thought that was odd but let it go because hey, she has thousands of jumps and must know what she's doing, right? NOT. So, although they were great jumps and I learned a LOT because she is an awesome skydiver, I didn't get what I expected. I'm just glad I asked the right questions now, not later when it could have been time critical. Lessons learned? Never assume your coach knows all the paperwork and is doing it right. Be VERY COMPLETE with details on those critical coach jumps. Also, be very clear before the jump as to what you expect from the coach. And if something strikes you as odd, don't let them blow you off because they're busy. The jump isn't over until they debrief you and see that everything is properly signed. And now, aww shucks I have to go do more jumps to get that group endorsement... Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tombuch 0 #2 May 13, 2003 Quote Lessons learned? Never assume your coach knows all the paperwork and is doing it right. Be VERY COMPLETE with details on those critical coach jumps. Good point. I find that a lot of people that come to me for USPA licenses don't have any accuracy listed in their log books, and some don't have the required maneuvers listed. When I question them about it, they usually say they didn't know about those requirements. Damn, it's in the SIM under license requirements, and they should be able to at least look that up. If they don't know how or where to look up license requirements, or they don't care, then how can I be expected to sign them off? That's nuts. I haven't looked at the CSPA requirements, but the USPA license requirements are very clearly defined and easy to identify. So, the lesson I'd like folks in the US to learn is: know what the requirements are by reading the USPA SIM. When putting those jumps into your logbook simply add 'distance to target' and maneuvers. As an aside, whenever I refuse to sign a license application because there is no accuracy listed, the person simply finds another instructor willing to listen to his sob story and sign it off. That bugs me. Many of our fatalities and injuries are the result of poor canopy control. By allowing our junior jumpers to slack off on that skill we are hurting them in the long term. I may be old fashioned, but I still believe accuracy and canopy control should matter.Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
