Ron

You should look FWD to it. They can be a lot of fun. Plus the fear of cutting away has led to people riding shit low, either into the ground, or cutting away too low to get a reserve. Look FWD to it. The first one is almost automatic, the second fun as hell. The third, you start worrying about your crap. After 10.... They just suck. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I don't like having to pay for 'planned' meals. For example, I don't like shrimp. And will not drink at all if I have to drive at all. So these kinds of "extra's" are worthless to me. I prefer the option of having a meal I pay for separately and not having to buy it. That way if it is something I like I can eat, if not then I didn't waste money. Also, you have to think of people with dietary restrictions. When I hold a class in my real world job, the company caters the lunches. I often have to have the hotels make secondary dishes for people with allergies and flat out dislikes. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

A military club I worked with, we would teach at night for a few hours for a week. They would also learn to pack in that time. They would then get a pre-jump briefing and then jump that SDR AM. I thought it worked well. My FJC.... A whole other story. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I feel hurt "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Bet they didn't buy it new. And some of those that are supporting buying new are looking to cash in on them doing that. Since you seem to be in line to get some of his/her money... Of course you don't see many negatives. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I think I would have been OK "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Eh, do what you normally do (in this case it seems like glasses) and we will adjust to you. After a while, you will learn what you want to do and will have enough experience to do it. Me? I never have made a single jump with glasses. I always wore contacts before I started jumping so I wore them for jumping. I lost a contact on two separate occasions while wearing goggles in my first 100 jumps so I bought a full face helmet and had no issue for the next 3K jumps. I then had lasik. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I think you GROSSLY misunderstand the USPA. It was not.... And I survived just fine. Some might even say I did OK in the long run. It *seems* you have a personal vendetta against someone. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And if you take used gear and do the same math it looks even better. Who is bringing you down? I told you several times that you can do what you want.... I have just taken umbrage at your claim that it can be a good deal. If buying new gear is a good deal, then buying used is knocking it out of the park. Why NOT buy new? 1. It will lose value. My first used rig was 2000 dollars. I traded it in for a 1500 dollar credit. That credit was put on a new rig...... That rig I jumped for a few years and sold the rig at a MUCH larger loss than the first rig. 2. You have no idea what size canopy you will end up on. Because of that, buying new is going to cost you a lot. You have already decided the 170 was too small and that you would get a 190. a GREAT choice for safety, but if you now want a 170 you are going to lose a bunch of money on the 190. You seem to think I have something against you... Nope, don't know you. But the old "New gear is a better deal" os an OLD argument and time after time it has been proven to be false in most cases. Really.... I wish you nothing but happiness. But please don't try to sell others a worn out and easily proven false claim. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The FAA does see the danger in tandems. Not saying that this should or should not justify any type of medical. Your statement is just a bit ambiguous. The FAA has threaten to shut down tandem skydiving based on specific events. Again not making a statement for or against any medicals. Just pointing out that tandem skydiving is a lot higher on the FAA's radar than most would guess. In the context of this discussion, we are talking about medicals. And in particular how the FAA sees no danger in not making a person have a medical to due them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not really. The only drawbacks are that they may not have the newest greatest safety thing. For example, the used rig may have an RSL but not a skyhook. Big deal? I'd say no. You may disagree. The next big deal is fit. If you are an odd shape/size finding the right fit may be difficult. The next is colors.... You may hate what you find available.. Some dolls don't like purple flaps with pink and like green stripes. But as others pointed out, as long as it fits and a rigger blesses it. You are good to go. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Never mind that the FAA itself does not see the danger in tandems, light sport instructors, balloonists, and gliders. I hope you are drafting a proposal to make AFFI's get a medical right now. I'll disagree with that too, but then your position would be consistent. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You have your mind made up. No amount of data will change it. And that's fine...... But don't try to claim the math adds up when it does not. There are more DZ's in FL than anywhere else. And about the Dacron lined main.... Even if you could not find it used and had to buy it new..... That does not mean you could not buy a used container and reserve. 1. Stop trying to shop for approval. Especially here. You have no idea who any of us are. 2. Then ask that question, don't try to make a claim that you are making a smart economic choice. If you WANT new gear and can afford it..... By all means, buy it with a smile. But the economic factors do not support a new jumper buying new gear for a first rig. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The exam is actually part of the problem. It tests a whole bunch of things that just do not matter. For example, I had a kidney stone twice in my life. Once in 2003, and again in 2009. I knew three days ahead of time that something was not right, and in 2009 I still jumped on my team till I passed the stone. I was honest and told the FAA this on my medical. They made me get a Cystoscopy procedure. The FAA doctor told me it was a waste of time, but required. My primary care doctor told me it was a waste of time. The doctor doing the procedure told me it was a waste of time. All three flat out told me it was a waste of time, but the FAA required it. So after paying my primary to put me in for the test, paying the specialist to set up the test, perform the test, and then tell me about the test, (then had me go back every six months where I basically told him I didn't have another stone, and pissed in a cup.....). So five mandatory doctor visits at 25 each to send me for a test that all three doctors said was worthless..... And what did the tests show? Nothing. Stupid. And me having a kidney stone is not something that would be a sudden onset anyway. And your point about the 'have you ever questions' is super valid. I wonder how many people tell the truth? I regret mentioning the kidney stones. But now every few years I have to have a Cystoscopy just to prove nothing is wrong when all three doctors say it is a waste. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No and no. The FAA requires that you went through a training program. If you go get checked out by UPT, then the FAA is happy. The FAA does not require a medical, that is all USPA via the manufacturers. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

With that logic, then we should require third class medical for every skydiver. But the point is pretty simple. The FAA sees no reason for a TI to have an FAA medical. The FAA also sees no reason for a light sport airplane instructor (less than 1320 pounds) to have a medical either. The FAA also sees no reason to require a medical for commercial balloonists. And the FAA sees no reason to require a medical for gliders. The EAA and the AOPA see no need for a medical for day VFR, less than 180 HP. So the precedent is already there, but the USPA is holding to a standard that every other organization sees as silly and even the FAA sees as silly. So since the FAA does not require it (even though they USED to).... Then there is no way the FAA is going to hammer the USPA for not requiring it anymore either. So the 'we do it so they will not' fails when you consider the FAA USED to require it and dropped it. The SAME standard exists for LSA, balloonists, and gliders. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well then you had better get on the FAA. Because they DONT require it for tandem, LSA pilots, gliders, or balloons. I guess you know better than them? The AOPA and EAA are trying to get rid of the third class medical for basically private pilot/day.... I guess you know better than them too? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Ah yes.... The insults. So your 'real world experience' is that you went through a medical maybe once. Ever been denied? Ever been required to jump through a bunch of hoops that your primary, and the FAA doc said was stupid? If not, then even you must admit that your expert experience is limited. And you keep ignoring that the FAA does not require it. Do you know more than them? You are ignoring that the FAA does not require it not only for tandem, but also for light sport instructors, commercial balloonists and gliders. So the FAA does not require a medical to be in the 'get paid' side if aviation for tandem.... I guess you know better than them? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

My point is pretty simple. The FAA sees no need for an FAA medical for tandems. The FAA sees no need for a medical for balloons, gliders, or light sport planes either. I'd gladly send my kid up in a light sport plane, ballon, or glider. I'd easily take my kid in a tandem if I didn't have an FAA medical. It seems you have very little knowledge of what an FAA medical actually covers. So my point? The AOPA and EAA see no point and actually represent the members and are trying to reduce the need for the FAA medical. The USPA???? They are adding things that are not needed by any regulation. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes, I have had them and I have to jump through hoops to get cleared. Never mind that the last one was 2009 and I felt it coming on LONG before it was a pain issue. It does not take a genius to not jump when in pain. And why does the FAA not have this issue with tandems? Why does the FAA not have this issue with gliders? Why does the FAA not have this issue with LSA? Why does the FAA not have this issue with balloons? Why does the FAA not have this issue even with a class 2 medical after I had a camera shoved up my cock? (Even after the doc said that he knew they would find nothing, but that the FAA required the test?) So the FAA does not require a medical for tandems.... For LSA, for balloons, for gliders.... And the AOPA and EAA are fighting to remove it even further.... What does the USPA do? Increase a standard that the FAA , AOPA, and EAA are all working to get rid of or limit more. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Maybe you can explain why having a kidney stone would prevent me from doing a tandem jump safely? Maybe you can explain why the FAA does not think you need a medical to be a flight instructor in a light sport plane? Maybe you can explain why the FAA does not think that you need a medical to be a commercial ballon pilot? Maybe you can explain why the FAA does not think you need a medical to be a glider pilot? Maybe you can explain why having a kidney stone would prevent me from doing a tandem jump safely? Maybe you can explain why the FAA does not think you need a medical to be a flight instructor in a light sport plane? Maybe you can explain why the FAA does not think that you need a medical to be a commercial ballon pilot? Maybe you can explain why the FAA does not think you need a medical to be a glider pilot? Maybe you can explain why having a kidney stone would prevent me from doing a tandem jump safely? Maybe you can explain why the FAA does not think you need a medical to be a flight instructor in a light sport plane? Maybe you can explain why the FAA does not think that you need a medical to be a commercial ballon pilot? Maybe you can explain why the FAA does not think you need a medical to be a glider pilot? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

So the ONLY reason is because you think other programs have gotten easier? That is a pretty sad reason to support something. What benefit do you see for an FAA medical that coil not be fulfilled with a DOT medical or even just following sport pilot, commercial ballon, and glider requirements? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

If the person has a DUI problem, they will not have a drivers license. The SAME standard for light sport pilots and instructors. The fact is that the FAA does not require it. The FAA does not require a medical for LSA instructors. The FAA does not require a medical for glider or ballon pilots either. And you are not going to find too many tandem instructors that want to keep the FAA medical, and even fewer general skydivers. Further, the AOPA and EAA are working to get more situations where a pic does not need a medical. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

When tandem was operated under a 'test program' the TM had to have a class III med. This was long before the sport pilot rules. When the FAA dropped tandem as a test program, the manufacturers still demanded it. They begged the USPA to take the program over and the USPA wanted it, but the manufacturers demanded that the USPA keep the medical requirement. It is another case of the USPA ignoring the wishes of the members and following the demands of the manufacturers. IMO, the USPA should not require a medical. And if that is not sufficient for the manufacturers, then they can take back over the certifications and licensing. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

False, find the requirement in the FAR's. It is pure USPA. Light sport pilots (to include light sport instructors) carry a passenger - No medical. Commercial ballon pilots - No medical. I think glider pilots do not need a medical either. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334