skydived19006

Some of you may have fun with this. These are actual numbers for a real world airplane. I did these calculations a few years ago after an engine mod (520), and wing extensions. We put the airplane on scales. I also entered numbers that would push right up to the GTOW. Now, considering that all of my TIs weigh in excess of 200 lbs without a rig, we have a max student weight of 230, a pilot with rig in the 200 lb range, and fuel. There's potential for loading in excess of GTOW. We may or may not have flown with 5 skydivers a time or two as well. If we did, at least four if them would have had to have been on the small side, and light fuel. Let's see who can find the configuration that has a W&B problem. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Very likely possibility, especially considering that when this thread ended, he was gone, never to return. Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Something brought this thread to mind this morning. I kind of wondered if Mr. Korbin ever made a skydive. He was 16 in 2008, so could have done it anywhere by 10 or 11. I looked at his profile, and appers to have dropped off dz.com in 2008 as well. Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Email from Roger Allen of this date: We have received requests for clarification of the m2 Service Bulletin: · Are the units affected grounded? No, just affected units which display the error. · Is return for repair or replacement mandatory? The units which display the error is mandatory to return for repair or replacement. · Can the user continue to use the AAD if it does not display the error? User can continue to use the AAD which doesn´t display error. But we recommend during the winter break or in service of reserve parachute, send unit to the manufacturer for checking. This issue affects a very small number of units, if a unit is affected the software will detect then problem during the self-test and display the error message. When it is convenient for users, and if they wish to do so, they can send their unit to us and we will have it checked by MarS. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information. Roger Allen Roger F. Allen President roger@m2-usa.com Phone: +1 (386) 279 7542 Cell: +1 (386) 801 3273 m2 Distribution Inc. 1200 Flightline Blvd, Suite 5A, DeLand FL 32724 www.m2-usa.com Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Instead of "A In a Week", why not travel to a 7 day a week DZ, Spaceland, Chicago (not this time of year), Florida, etc., and doing it at a more leisurely pace. Plan two weeks, and even at that, don't worry about getting 100% complete, though it should be no problem. If you get done early, you can make a few more, or put a day in here and there to go be a tourist. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I like my danm box! I don't really have interest in going through a shit ton of work for what are about 50/1 that the student will make less than 5 jumps, more likely 1 and done. If they want to convince me that they're committed, then diet and exercise! If that's too much to ask, then go back to the couch and 16 hour football marathons. I'm 6' 8" tall, there are quite a few things in life that I'm restricted from doing due to my height. I also happen to believe that life simply is not always fair, were it I'd be damn handsome and having highly attractive women 10 years younger than I chasing me constantly. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I absolutely agree with Mike on this. Exiting a 182, it's never automatically stable. I've seen quite a few TIs who roll off and arch until something good happens. I do not have FF skills, pretty old school, but being able to fly in multiple orientations can only add to your tool box when working with a student right off the airplane. The ability to work with the student, relax and fly the thing as opposed to fighting it will go a long way! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Most SL instructors are still working for peanuts. If they can earn enough to make fun jumps and break even over the course of a year, then they're doing pretty good. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I'll take a wild ass stab at it. For the sake of argument, if you put 1000 jumps on a tandem rig over the course of one year, $15/jump would equate to $15,000 which is in the neighborhood of what a new system would cost. You'd need to replace main lines, the drogue, a couple of repacks, etc., so throw in another $1000. At the end of that year, depending on how many times the rig was slid in, environment, etc., you could sell it for $5,000 to $10,000. So, depending on a whole lot of factors, I'd guess somewhere in the $7 to $20 per jump range. If you could purchase a rig, and rent it for $30/jump. And that rig was used 1000 times over the course of one or two years. Well, that math isn't all that difficult either. Maybe that's why DZOs typically prefer to own the rigs, as opposed to paying someone else $30 or more to rent? Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

In a few cases, you are correct. I've also informed prospective tandem instructor candidates that they need to lose weight before I'll train them. There's one TI in kansas who weighs in the 130 lb range. For her to load to 500 lbs, would be a 325 lb student. I think that she's at 220 lb max student weight, if even that. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

You are absolutely correct, I could invest in 23D gear with a 300 lb max suspended weight, I simply do not see it as positive cash flow situation. I have informed a potential student or two that they could put out the $6,000 plus cash for a "big boy rig" in order to train. Seems that they don't typically see this as a financially viable solution either. I'd likely also need to charge for two slots, and since the rig would be so seldom used, in order to recoup maintenance charge $100/jump rental. It simply does not work. I'm 6' 8" tall. There are things that due to my being in the upper .001 height that I just can not do. I can't ride in many roller coasters. I can't fit in a lot of airplanes, etc. Large folks have the option of consuming less calories, and burning more. My options are limited. I think that amusement parks should design all rides in order to accommodate customers up to at least 7' in height. Think out of the box! Edit to add: And we should also look into letting little girls play football! Obvious discrimination! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Are quite a few AFF instructors not already wearing cameras? Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Weight limit at Air Capital Drop Zone is 230 lbs. Among other reasons, all of our TIs weigh in excess of 200 lbs. You can either call around (in another state) and find a somewhere that will accommodate a heavy guy, or diet. Granted, you're not by any means "extreme" as in excess of 300 lbs. I've heard "Little girls don't play football, and huge guys don't skydive." Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

That's cool!! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I see your logic Tom, and counter with Coach and Instructor ratings. Start packing at the point you're proficient and competent. Coach rating at 100 jumps, or when you're proficient and competent, IAD or SL Instructor rating at 200 jumps. Those ratings can provide the ability to make jumps and break even. Often can bank enough to cover the slow season fun jumping. Granted, on an AFF DZ, you're pretty much at the same point for TI and AFFI, so Coach and packer would be the filler. If we go back up to Scrub's rambling point. There must be an over supply of TIs in the market if the price point has been driven down. Tandem Instructors at my DZ do double their pay when shooting HC. But then in my world, there isn't an over abundance of TIs. That world being a 1 182 weekend operation. We have to grow our own staff. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

USPA c. Tandem training jumps [E] (1) Any USPA member conducting a tandem jump must hold a current USPA Tandem Instructor rating and a manufacturer’s type rating. B. Compliance with Federal regulations [NW] 1. No skydive may be made in violation of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. 105.45 Use of tandem parachute systems. (a) No person may conduct a parachute operation using a tandem parachute system, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow any person to conduct a parachute operation from that aircraft using a tandem parachute system, unless— (1) One of the parachutists using the tandem parachute system is the parachutist in command, and meets the following requirements: (i) Has a minimum of 3 years of experience in parachuting, and must provide documentation that the parachutist— (ii) Has completed a minimum of 500 freefall parachute jumps using a ram-air parachute, and (iii) Holds a master parachute license issued by an organization recognized by the FAA, and (iv) Has successfully completed a tandem instructor course given by the manufacturer of the tandem parachute system used in the parachute operation or a course acceptable to the Administrator. Sparky As I recall, this has been a moving bar. At one time, there was no USPA Tandem Rating. After USPA instituted the TI rating, it was only required if the TI was signing off USPA proficiencies on the tandem skydives, not required if the jump was only "introductory". So, now the USPA TI rating is required if the person conducting the tandem is also a USPA Individual Member? The FAA requires that the "parachutist in command" "Has successfully completed a tandem instructor course given by the manufacturer of the tandem parachute system used in the parachute operation". No requirement to have an ongoing relationship with the manufacturer, membership or other relationship any with private membership organization. When did the USPA change to require USPA members to be a USPA rated TI? Since I'm an Eclipse Tandem Instructor Examiner, the relationship with the manufacturer is a little sketchy since they no longer exist. The "keeper of the records", generally doesn't return any paperwork when you send him documents and money, etc. My process is to maintain records of all training, checks sent, and when the check is processed, to print a copy from the bank of the check. Proof that the individual has had the manufacturers course. Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I'd call it a drogue release rip cord. See attached Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Or just a fast acting RSL? I couldn't tell either. Nice screen grab, BTW.Thanks. Boy, that sure looked like bad packing to me, but I'm no expert. Sometimes $hit does happen, and that was $HIT! I noticed you stayed with it for a while. Were you pumping the toggles a couple of times? I think that it was a fast acting RSL. I analyzed that shot as well. In my mind, I know that I pulled the handles in order, but was questioning that due to the moment you (skydiverek) grabbed. Eventually, I concluded that since the camera was on my left hand, and that hand had not yet moved, it was proof that I'd pulled in order. Watch it again, and you'll see my left arm extends with the reserve pull, about a second after you see the reserve PC. Yes, I'd agree that it was a packing error. Yes, I did stay with it almost 20 seconds after making the decision to get rid of it. I did initially grab risers, but when it "took off" I immediately decided to chop it. With the spin, being thrown around, and the student harness riser, I could not see the cut away handle. The thought that it could be tucked under occurred to me, but it wasn't, I just could not get a line of sight on it. Obviously, pulling that handle was critical! In the end, I could not say if I saw it, or found it by feel. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Hand cam video of a malfunction I had a couple of weeks ago. I have something over 4000 skydives, of which 2500+ are tandem. Previous malfunctions were a line twist spinning Crossfire, and a tandem with multiple broken suspension lines (canopy was flying, sort of, but landing was not a viable option). This was the first one that really took me for a "ride". With all that was going on, spinning, etc., I was not able to see the cut away handle. I obviously did find it, but really couldn't say if I saw it, or simply located without seeing it. Hell of an adrenaline rush! I compared how much our hands were shaking after shutting off the camera on the ground. Hers looked like a normal tandem student after landing, mine looked like I was faking and exaggerating. I don't know what the lesson would be, other than that to my knowledge, there is no way to really prepare, or simulate a violent malfunction. Eventually, it did pretty well stabilize into a consistent spin at least. Though, I'd had made the decision to get rid of it about 15 seconds before I was able to execute. I do initiate deployment around 6,000'. So, even after all the spinning, we were under a flying reserve by 4,000'. I often say to my students "...because you don't know what I know!" There's more truth to it than they'll ever understand. We did have a really nice landing! The reserve is a Precision TR375. I was doing a carving turn to flair, not so much to generate speed, but to manage the horse pasture I'd chosen to land. Otherwise, enjoy the show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3ENMl4R2b0 Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

My thought is that Gropuon and similar might be somewhat workable for some operations, and just bad business for others. If the DZ and staff are generally running at well less than full capacity, it might work to trade a discount for possible future or tag along full price paying customers. In general, I see it as working more hours for less pay. I asked the last Groupon sales chick if her boss offered her 50% more hours at half her going pay, if she'd think it was such a good deal. Did I mention that this was the last call? I'm a TI as well as DZO. I wouldn't do it either. Maybe if it was a brand new DZ, using Groupon as a kick start would be reasonable. But, if it's a brand new DZ, there generally isn't enough money laying around to take a loss on a bunch of tandems either! Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I wouldn't honestly expect TIs and packers to work for half of the going rate in the hope that they'd make more in the long run. Just trying to make a point. For me, it pretty much equates, I already work 7 days a week, don't want to go to 8, especially for less money! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Jerry, I believe that I either talked with Jamey, or had read something he'd written on the biz. Seems that he'd also fronted a few guys a few hundred jumps so that they could make 500, qualify to be a TI, and go to work for him. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I was actually being somewhat sarcastic. But why not, if the DZO is going to work for free, why not the staff? Though the standard Groupon discount is 50% to the buyer, but Groupon keeps half of that, so it would be to the business/crew %25 the normal rate. Though, Groupon is willing to give better percentages to us, how generous! When explaining to the previous Groupon sales chick, I related my business and Groupon to her job, asking "If your employer offered you a "deal" where you'd get to work another 4 hours a day at 1/4 your normal rate, you'd jump right on it wouldn't you?" Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

(Bump) I just looked through this thread again due to an email from a Groupon salesman asking me to explain to him why I'd asked them to stop calling me. I don't trade with Groupon for the usual reasons, primarily among those being that we're a 1 182 weekend operation, everyone has a "real job" including the DZO. We run pretty much at capacity May through September, etc. Additionally, throw in 98% of what TK gave on top. One thing that I never saw mentioned, and just occurred to me. One argument for the positive is that the cheap tandems increase the number of full pay who tag along. So, the staff are doing more, and making more. Here's what some will see as an asshole move. Why not ask the staff to do the cheap-o tandems at the same rate of discount? Will the TI see the value in doing tandems for $15, and the packer packing tandems for $6, if they "know" that they'll also be doing more full pay work? Anyway, I thought that the best response to the Groupon guy would be no response at all. He really don't give a shit about the reasons why I refuse to do business with them. He's just trying to start a conversation, knock down my arguments, and make the sale. Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I'd also like to see it land straight in. Likely still have plenty of speed to flatten out. And, I have to wonder if it would "take off" in line twists. It that thing goes to spinning from a couple of twists, you're not going to recover, other than to with the use of the reserve. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ