It is not our intent in this response to change your opinion. Instead, it is our intent to give a clear explanation of the issue posted earlier by Mark Weaver.
The regulations we follow and our specific DZ policy can be found at www.skydivekansas.com/policy_lic.htm. They have been posted on our site and at the DZ well before they went into effect January 1, 2003. However this episode did bring to our attention that our current policy was hard to find on our website, so we moved it to a direct link on the front page and in the menu.
With the privilege of enjoying a sport such as this comes the personal responsibility for your own safety. With the privilege of enjoying owning a dropzone comes the even greater responsibility for all customers' safety. We as dropzone owners have the right to make rules to fit the individual needs of our dropzone. Our policies on these matters reflect the amount of risk we at Skydive Kansas are willing to accept. Our specific dropzone rules come from our experiences as owners. We know by having strict rules we lose licensed jumper business and yes even tandem business (we allow no tandems over 210lbs).
It is not the fact that we necessarily see people as being unsafe who don’t meet these requirements. It is that there are many issues which have made these rules come about at our dz over the years. Only if you have the experience of being a DZO in a comparable situation can you possibly understand. Some of these issues we have no control over. In time, these rules may become more or less strict.
To make exceptions to any rule for any reason would be to be say that rules are subjective and meaningless. After learning that we are consistent in following regulations and our policies, Mark tore up his waiver and threw it on the manifest desk. Later that day, he stated specifically in a voice message on our home phone and in emails that he would “badmouth” our dropzone on discussion groups and to all his skydiving friends.
We all have the prerogative as jumpers to choose where we jump and what rules we will follow. Whether you jump with or without an AAD, with a high or low wing loading, or weigh more than your reserve is TSO'ed to hold is your choice. But it is not your choice at Skydive Kansas. Our rules are not debatable and there are no exceptions; this ensures clarity and consistency.
Blue Skies, James and Jennifer Sharp
