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This Saturday February 8th is Vicki Johnston's Celebration in DeLand. Starts at 2 PM, Ash Dive at 4 PM. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

The USPA Board of Directors will hold its winter 2014 meeting February 28-March 2 in Las Vegas at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. The weekend will also include presentation of the USPA Lifetime Achievement Award to Larry Bagley during a Friday evening reception at the hotel. Anyone who would like to help honor Bagley is invited to attend the reception to share in the celebration. http://www.flamingolasvegas.com/ I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

(updated 01/10/14) Following a two-year effort by USPA, the U.S. Department of Transportation formally responded to a USPA question regarding the efforts of states to tax revenues from skydiving. On December 30, 2013, USPA received an opinion letter from the Office of the DOT General Counsel asserting that the federal Anti-Head Tax Act (AHTA) preempts any state efforts to tax gross receipts on skydiving operations. The AHTA, passed by Congress in 1973, prohibits states or political subdivisions from “… collecting a tax, fee, or other charge … on the gross receipts from … air commerce …” The DOT letter says, “Aircraft operations carrying skydivers fall under the definition of air commerce …” and makes clear that states cannot tax the gross receipts from the retail sales of skydiving operations, no matter whether the state calls it an amusement tax, an entertainment tax or a tax by any other name. The DOT letter even rebuts one state’s assertion that it was taxing the skydiver’s freefall, not the airplane ride to altitude. The DOT notes that states are permitted to collect taxes on revenues derived from the sale of ancillary goods or services, such as DVDs or T-shirts. In early 2012, with a growing number of skydiving businesses being audited by states, USPA recruited a legal team to research and draft a March 2012 USPA Memorandum that was provided to all Group Member DZs to use to inform their state departments of revenue that federal law preempts any state taxation of skydiving. However, many state officials dismissed the USPA memo as simply the opinion of a skydiving association. Now the U.S. DOT has issued an official federal opinion, which states cannot ignore. “This is a shining example of how USPA efforts on behalf of DZs also benefit individual skydivers,” said Executive Director Ed Scott. “Proliferation of state taxes on skydiving would surely drive up the cost of skydiving.” I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

The Federal Aviation Administration finally published Advisory Circular (AC) 105-2E, Sport Parachuting, on December 4. USPA chaired the working group that collaborated with the Parachute Industry Association and the FAA to produce the comprehensive advisory circular guidance. The AC serves as a reference and resource companion to the regulations found in Federal Aviation Regulations Part 105, Parachute Operations. Skydivers can find topics that address the use of automatic activation devices, as well as best-practice guidance for the use of seats and restraints. The AC reviews jump aircraft maintenance, jump pilot training and jump pilot operational responsibilities. And much of the AC is dedicated to parachute equipment, repairs and rigging. The AC is available online: http://www.uspa.org/Portals/0/Downloads/AC_105-2E.pdf I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

All the real friends old and new every where on the planet. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

See attachment. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Past in Deland today. Sweetheart lady, a class act. Skydiver, Wife, Mother, Nurse. A good friend. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

I use these from Skysystem's. http://www.skysystemsusa.com/?s=curve&op.x=10&op.y=12 I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Check out the Firebolt from www.Jumpshack.com. I have a Firebolt 164 and planning on getting another for my second Racer. The Firebolt is the best all around canopy I’ve ever jumped; it’s designed for soft openings and easy landings. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

All the usual stuff you’d expect. http://www.skydivedelmarva.com/experienced.html This is in Laurel Delaware, in case you forgot http://www.city-data.com/airports/Laurel-Airport-Laurel-Delaware.html I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

http://www.theblueskyranch.com/ I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

“The Ranch” in Gardiner New York is very privately owned. It’s a Family thing. http://skydivetheranch.com/ I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Skydive DeLand runs the Airport. The Fixed Base Operation (FBO) has been a Skydive DeLand operation for years. Three of the members of the Airport Board are Skydivers who own related businesses. The majority of business on the airport and close by are for Parachuting both Military and Civilian, with more moving in. I heard it all at the Perfect Spot Bar so you know it’s the truth. I keep telling you DeLand is the center of Skydiving on Planet Earth. http://www.skydivedeland.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Greene County, Xenia Ohio. http://www.skydiveohio.com/ Privately owned for a long time. Privately owned aircraft also, two Twin Turbine Westwinds that carry 12. Check it out on Facebook "Skydive Greene County" I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Skydive Orange in Orange Virginia has a SKYVAN Friday through Sunday. What Day is it?: Watch the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3U2PhYvNDI&feature=youtu.be I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Check out the 9 cell Firebolt from www.Jumpshack.com. It’s designed for soft openings and easy landings and you can downsize until you’re dangerous. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Start here www.Jumpshack.com you can get the best fitting container along with Main and Reserve canopies. Used gear too. All information is on the web site or call. I have four reserves rides using the “Parachute Labs” deployment system, all worked correctly. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Deland is the center of Skydiving on Planet Earth. Not only is the World Class DZ there with friendly Jumpers, the Industry is too. On the Airport and across the street are manufactures of Parachuting Equipment for both Civilian and Military, including our Military Allies. Some shops are easy to find, some you have to know where they are. The Hotels/Motels close to the DZ have very good Skydiver rates. Ask me in a PM where you should look for gear. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

If you were some place else---you missed it all. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Stop wasting money on the tunnel, spend it on real Skydiving. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

So many places to land out and not get arrested. I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

Packers at Skydive Delmarva. See attached I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

One Twin Otter, packers wearing yoga pants, beer, food and Seafood, lots of happy Jumpers of all types. Make Hotel / Motel reservations NOW. Check out the facilities. For tents, RV’s, Campers. Check out the attached pictures. http://www.skydivedelmarva.com/experienced.html I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

USPA News Letter. http://skydiveuspa.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/uspa-raises-minimum-deployment-altitude/ I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.

The problem is not Main Canopy opening altitude. The problem is gear made for Marketing Fashion not Function. Lots of flaps covering a reserve container that’s too tight and restricts the reserve no matter when the AAD fires. We have incidents where the tight cool looking (Gucci Gear) container kept the reserve from opening before impact. Test results from SSK showed the AAD's fired at 750 Feet every time, plenty of room for a reserve to open. Right here on Dropzone dot com there was a video of a jumper with a Reserve Pilot chute in tow, he reached back and pulled his reserve out. Pay Attention! I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving.