councilman24 37 #1 October 2, 2002 With less than one month till the registration fee goes up, and with Lisa's permission, I'd like to make a plug for the PIA International Parachute Symposium. More information and the registration form can be found at http://www.pia.com/ The Symposium runs from January 27th to the 31st, 2003 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Symposium is a descendant of the old Rigger's Conference last held in 1989 in Muskogee, OK. In 1991 the 1st International Parachute Symposium was sponsored by the PIA in Orlando. The last two, in 1999 and 2001 were held in San Diego and this is the first one on the east coast since 1995. The Symposium consists of five days including a trade show exposition and presentations on topics ranging from How to pack a Javelin to Sewing Machine Maintenance to Dropzone Management Software to High Performance Parachute Piloting. Past highlights have include Dave DeWolf's (Handsome Dave) rigging tips, John LeBlanc's series on piloting parachutes, PD's/PIA's Dual Square Report, Rags on Parachute Maintenance, Tom Sanders on aerial photography, and keynote speeches by Pres. George Bush, Joe Kittinger, and Theo Knacke. (Rumor, unconfirmed but more likely than the Jet, is that D-1 will be speaking at this symposium.) Other past presentors include Bill Booth, Sandy Reid, Derick Thomas, George Galloway, Manley Butler, Mike Fury, Ed Cummings, John Sherman, Ted Strong, Rusty Vest, B.J. Worth, Gary Peek, Allen Silver etc, etc, etc,. This is also a truly international event with attendees and presentors from Australia, throughout Europe, South America, and even Uzbekistan. Military organizations from the US and abroad have presented information. Why should you go? I'm a part time rigger and instructor. In 1989 I attended the last Rigger's Conference in order to try to learn more about rigging. The information that I learned then and at the symposia since (I've only missed one) has been invaluable. Things I've learned about include molar straps, tensile strength and acid mesh testing, patching without pins, the Cypres AAD, the tandem side spin problem, piano wire fingertrapping fids, and the list goes on. I've met and become friends with leaders in the industry. This is a place where you can get your questions answered by the people who made it, did it first, or do it best. PIA and the symposium is completely run by volunteers. I've helped plan and staff the last two and gave two presentations in 2001. Money raised goes to PIA to help fund activities like the dual square study, lobbying efforts with government to update the regulations and provide access to military contracts, and other ongoing projects that support both the industry and our customers, the jumpers. Money also is being set aside to fund a proposed American Museum of Sport Parachuting. Sorry for the length but if you've never been to a PIA symposium, especially if involved with rigging or instruction, you need to be there. If you've been to one before there's always something new, and if you've been to all of them, I'll see you there. And remember, they're skydiver parties! If you've got questions give me a shout. Terry Urban D-8631 PIA Affiliate memberI'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #2 October 16, 2002 The speaker schedule is now available at www.pia.comI'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
