CanuckInUSA

You misunderstand the situation I am in. I am not working right now, but fortunately I have enough savings to jump a lot this summer and at the same time I figured this would be the best time to get these ratings (while I have the time and money). I may not be in this situation next year. But I can't travel up to Canada right now as I risk not being allowed to return to the US if I do while I'm in this transitional phase. I thought this was what the FAI was all about. To have some sort of standard so that it didn't really matter where you came from. As long as you have the knowledge and experience. No I obviously don't know very much about skydiving in Canada ... but at the same time it sure sounds like Canada believes that I'm an inferior skydiver (Canadians are just as guilty as Americans when it comes to believing that their society is superior and having lived in both countries I can tell you that neither system is superior to the other). After reading the info you provided me from that website (which I do appreciate you providing), it sure sounds like this Coach-1 rating could be similar to the USPA coach rating. Actually the USPA coach sounds a little more involved than the Coach-1 CSPA rating ... but I could be wrong. I've got a lot to learn concerning teaching people how to skydive. But rest assured I have built up enough experience to know how to skydive and how not to skydive. I guess I'm not wanted in either country. My motivation in all of this was NOT to get free/paid jumps. It was to act as a resource to help turn out new skydivers to help grow the Canadian/Calgary skydiving community so that maybe just maybe there would be enough skydivers to warrant a DZ picking up a turbine aircraft (I've seen first hand what happens when there is enough tandem traffic, resulting in student activity, resulting in new skydivers, resulting in the odd experienced skydiver resulting in enough demand for a turbine aircraft). But I was warned by a seasoned skydiver when I first got into this sport about being careful about making skydiving become a job, hence the reason why I have 1150 jumps and no ratings. I've been concentrating on having fun, concretrating on my own canopy control skills and jumping with experienced people as well as newbies at my own personal expense. I see too many people working in this industry only jumping when it's a free or paid jump. So if I was wrong and an inferior skydiver because of this, well ... no comment. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

If you ride all the time and hardly jump, then go jump. But if you jump a lot and haven't ridden in a while, go ride the bike. Do what will make you the happiest. Or better yet, do the one which is least effected by tomorrow's weather. It would suck to miss out on a ride because you're sitting at the DZ waiting for the clouds to clear. But at the same time, you could be missing out on some fun jumps if you've got good WX conditions. It's your life, your time. Do what will make you smile Saturday night after the great day you just had. One thing I like about jumping is that there are so many different, fun and cool aspects of the sport. If you're burning out on one discipline, go try another. But never jump in marginal WX conditions because you really need that jump. The skies will be there tomorrow to play in. But not if you're messed up because you jumped in weather conditions you shouldn't have been jumping in. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I'm obviously not familiar with the CSPA rules, but after reading some of the stuff on the pages Andrew forwarded in this thread (shit 1/2 the pages are not complete and contain some sort of language which I can't read ... no it's not English or French). Anyway I'm not feeling very positive about the controlling agency of my Canadian skydiving peers. I can understand the need to bridge the differences between the instructional methods of the USPA and CSPA. But for the CSPA to not honor USPA tandem ratings just makes no sense to me whatsoever. Plus what about my current USPA license? Isn't there something called the FAI which we all belong to? Or am I considered a student skydiver by the CSPA and would need to go through all their crap from square one? As I said, I'm not feeling a whole lot of love towards the CSPA if what 174FPS said about the CSPA not honoring USPA experience and ratings is true. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

So what you're telling me is that USPA ratings are worthless in Canada? Hmmm ... that doesn't sound very encouraging. I didn't have issues obtaining a temporary pilots certificate from Transport Canada a couple of years ago when I showed them my FAA credentials. I know the Calgary jumping scene did have that inquiry to deal with, but why are USPA ratings worthless? Yes I can see how some instructional aspects may differ (don't really have an issue adapting to Canada's instructional criteria), but doesn't the tandem manufacturer kind of control the tandem ratings. So why are USPA tandem ratings worthless? I feel very homeless about now. The US doesn't want me and Canada obviously doesn't think I'll be a qualified as a skydiver? Sorry if I sound ornary or anything like that. But I worked hard to get where I am today and being told that my US jumping experience in Canada is worthless is very disheartening. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Cool ... being close the WA state jumping scene and entering into the NW CPC region next year could be a huge influencing factor. Time will tell as to what happens to yours truly, time will tell. But being able to compete in the CPC again would be nice.

Make it stop!!! Make it stop!!! You people are killing me. You've got Ron and Skydeker acting like children (my healthcare system is better than your system, my country is better than yours) Shit neither system is good ... neither country is perfect ... but they both somehow manage to work. And we have people like you and Rhino pounding your chests proclaiming the USA to be the greatest nation in the history of mankind claiming than anyone who doesn't like the flag and the Prez's policies is unAmerican and should leave. Has it ever occurred to you that some Americans don't believe in your federal government's desire to get into wars (to stimulate Americans economic development at the risk of destroying another society). Why are these people so unAmerican when they prefer peace over war? News flash: There is a reason why American has enemies. First off, the American people are predominately good people, but they come off as arrogant (do it my way or it's the highway attitude), American is a violent society and their government policies reflect this violence upon the rest of the world. The USA is one of the few countries with a mobile military WILLING to invade and occupy any country in the world that suits their economic interests. If you think Iraq is about the war on terrorism, then Bush has succeed in his brain-washing fear mongering tactics. I'm not saying that America is all evil because it's not. But until you recognize why many people throughout the world perceive Americans as an arrogant, violent society, then you will never understand why people throughout the world hate and/or just dislike you. Wake up, smell the coffee. You're not all that. But you sure do act like you think you're all that. But if you're okay with this. Keep pounding your chest proclaiming yourself to be the greatest society whoever inhabited this planet, a society that really doesn't give a shit anything other than the almighty dollar. The rest of us will be seen shaking our heads thinking ... there goes another war loving arrogant American. Oh and every dominate society throughout the history of mankind has fallen. Why is America so different? You're not. Oh and flame me all you want. I won't be responding to this ... at least not today. You see, while some of you stiffs get all worked up about this thread today (I'd love to measure your blood pressure as I'm sure it's skyrocketing by now with hate and anger towards me), I'll be off jumping at my local DZ all day and my blood pressure will be low (assuming I don't have a mal). PS: What a crock of shit to say that only people who have served in the military care about their country. Time to grow up and out of your violence loving attitude. War and violence is NOT the answer. It just fosters more war and violence by future generations. Did you not learn anything from the first world war? I doubt it. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Cool ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I did jinx myself up at the bridge a few weeks back. Someone was telling me about their jump which went into the water earlier in the day and I foolishly blurted out "I've never been in the drink". Well the next thing you know, we're doing a five way and I'm the furthest from the beach. I have a 90 left on opening, I'm overly amped because I was the furthest out getting even further away, I stall my canopy while trying to turn and eat up valuable altitude. So by the time I got the canopy flying again, there's no way in hell I'm making it to the beach and I splash down into the Snake River. Fortunately it was a hot day and landing in the water after my jump from the bridge was actually very refreshing. Yup ... never say never. If you do, you've already jinxed yourself. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Are there any "So you want to be a Tandem Master" and/or "So you want to be an AFF Instructor" light reading material out there? I did glace through a few threads here and there. But didn't find anything all that specific as to exactly how to get one of these ratings in terms of what knowledge someone needs and what skills one needs to be practicing before they do their evaluation jumps. I'm likely going to need to move back to Canada in the not too distant future and I figured it might be helpful to not only myself to be able to do one of these jobs, but to also be helpful to the DZ if I had the rating(s). It seems that DZs which have qualified TMs and AFF Instructors can train new skydiving prospects and the only way to grow this sport in places where growth has potential is to ensure that qualified people are around to act as TMs and AFF Instructors. Any info to this thread is appreciated. Of course I also need to chat with some of the locals who work as TMs and AFF Instructors at my DZ. But I thought I'd start here. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Hey Keith how about showing pics from the successful attempt. You're only showing the carnage jump. People should be aware that you and Dave did dock on another jump and fly that thing around for several minutes. I'd post pics from my copy except that my dang video camcorder has malfunctioned (again) on me and doesn't currently work. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

LOL ... good one ... Where's Bubba? I've got to go back for Bubba!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Well you've choosen the right color on your jumpsuit to fit in. Can you pound back the Molson? How about Big Rock? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Dang you're flying in style. Many of the aircraft I trained on were vintage late 70s models. Watch your airspeed on short final with those low winged airplanes though. If you carry too much speed you'll stay in ground effects (you'll be swooping the plane) for a long time. But it's all good!!! Congrats for showing your daughter the joys of playing in the air. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I'm talking shit right now. I may end up sort of settling in Calgary anyway. And there is that legal 900' cliff. If I can wing it, I'd love to work in Canada in the summers and play in the USA in the winters. Calgary is a great city with great summer time weather and it's close to Banff and Kananaskis which equally rock. Who knows maybe Alberta could be a turbine DZ region if interest in Calgary was to grow (let's leave those bums up in Edmonchuck out of this). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

That's probably the best advice for the boy. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

No I didn't. Oh oh. Another convert. Watch out. After what I saw you do at the bridge with your Xaos a couple of weeks ago I know you've got the right stuff for Ground Launching. Not only are you an experienced and skilled canopy pilot, but you're crazy. And that's the sort of mix you need for Ground Launching. Be careful though. Grounch Launching while ultra fun is NOT safe. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

We humans since we started on this planet, have liked to kill each other as well as the other creatures we come across. I don't see any change to this tendancy any time soon. I think I need to jump more ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Clint from Skydive Moab the other day mentioned that his pilots need 750 hrs minimum for his DZ insurance requirements. I've heard other DZs say 500. So who knows. Maybe the insurance companies have upped their requirements. Flying is ultra cool but it's super expensive. As long as society doesn't crumble due to war or corruption, there will be a shortage of airline pilots 10-15 years from now as the baby boomers retire. But in the meantime, becoming a professional pilot requires a lot of time. 300 hours is good, but it's really not that much. Oh and I hope you don't mind poverty wages until the majors come calling. But you will be flying!!! Good luck!!! Flying Rocks just as jumping Rolls!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

I had the safe job on that jump and would have followed either person's canopy down had they needed to chop. But I'll leave the good stuff for Keith and Dave to worry about. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Keith and Dave B were the test dummies and I did the video for them on this jump (all three of us were on Velos). It was very interesting to say the least. And then to top it off, last weekend I burbled Keith by flying in front of him on a high altitude hop n' pop and collapsed his canopy for a short moment. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Started doing double fronts as some bizarro way to lose extra altitude to not overshoot my targets on a Triathlon 220 (loaded at 1.0). Started doing 90s on a Sabre2 190 (loaded at 1.2) at about 175 jumps after/during a canopy coaching course. Oh and this was all at altitude. I wasn't supposed to be a swooper. Where did I go wrong? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Even if I did get on the fast track to marriage, I don't think that would help me out right now. The INS is set on their ways and when they say you need to leave (without risking a permanent ban), you need to leave. There's only so much one can do under a visitors visa. Now if I could just learn Spanish, change my name to Pedro and be willing to work for slave labor wages, then the INS would pretend like I didn't exist. Shit maybe I could even get away with sueing some Americans for millions of dollars like a certain illegal Mexican immigrant is currently doing to Park County for incarcerating him for being in this country illegally. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

If I'm not mistaken there are only two turbine DZs in the entire country. Pitt Meadows and the one in Ontario. But I have absolutely no desire to live in Ontario, so I pretty much ignore everything that goes on there. I'm not sure how I will handle the wet Vancouver winters, but at least they have a turbine in BC. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Currently my DZ is here in Colorado (will they ever finish the swoop pond). But before the year is out the INS will likely be deporting me (while they continue to let illegals flood into the country), then I will likely be headed to Calgary to sell my house. After that I'll either try to find another job in the states or I will venture off to the Pitt Meadows area of BC. I'm depressed that Canada is predominately nothing more than small Cessna DZs hours and hours away from anything (with the exception of Pitt Meadows), but there is a legal 900' cliff just outside of Banff that I'm looking foward to jumping. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

He's not a Canadian either. He just pretends to be one. Oops ... that was a low blow. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over