dzolloyd

This post is very interesting to me. I am the DZO at a small two cessna dropzone in Oklahoma. As of right now I offer IAD and AFF for students wanting to progress in the sport. Tandem, so far, is just a ride at my DZ. We have been "specializing" in AFF for years. Now days we are short on AFF instructors. Some of my AFF instructors have quit the sport altogether and the new upcomers are afraid to try for the rating or can't afford the training and USPA cert course. We have only three AFFI's, two of which are also TI's. Sometimes two AFFI's are not available at all for levels 1, 2, and 3. This is very frusterating for students. After the three tandem jumps teaching, altitude awareness, stability, pulls, forward movement, and turns, I am assuming that one AFFI could handle the progression quite well. My Chief AFF instructor, also the S&TA here is quite leary about taking a student on a one jumpmaster dive. He is not a TI. The other two AFFI's are also TI's. Everything I have read so far is pro. Any cons? GET SOME, altitude!

The D number is registered to Jay Barksdale, Central Region. However his USPA membership and all ratings expired November 30, 2005. GET SOME, altitude!

Welp, the 2nd Annual Skydive Airtight Halloween Party was such a success Chi Chi and I have decided to have our 1st Annual Christmas party this year. The date for this party is Saturday December 23 at dark-thirty. This is the early stages of planning for this party. I know Chi Chi will have the hangar in christmas spirits for sure. My thoughts as of right now are gag gifts, lots of food and drink, and a live band. More ideas for the party from jumpers are welcome and needed. The hangar is easy to heat now and there is plenty of room (about 5,000 sq.ft.). I will have more on this event later. Both Airtight planes will be available for 8-ways during the day. It is possible we could get a third plane and try some 12-ways. All are welcome. GET SOME, altitude!

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Memorial services for Chris Hadley will be held Wednesday, 2:00 PM at the McClendon/Winters Funeral Home in Okmulgee, OK. Spanky relayed to me that after examination the medical examiner reports that Chris had an existing heart disease that has been present for a few years. This was unknown by anyone. Spanky is doing pretty good considering. He is with his girlfriend Cheryl. However, his telephones are ringing continuously and he would like to have some privacy at this time. If you need more information or have questions, I will be happy to try to answer them for you. If you have pictures of Chris, a copy for Spanky would be appreciated. Especially if you have one of him in freefall. Chris' body was donated to the Red Cross for parts that could be used and his remains will be cremated. There will be an ash dive at a later date. God rest his soul GET SOME, altitude!

It was not jump related. He did an uneventful freefall video about two hours earlier and had been performing packing duties all day. He complained of chest pains he thought were caused by indigestion and passed out about twenty minutes later. Steverino performed mouth to mouth, Phil Ashby performed CPR, and Doc Cari was helping as well. Paramedics could not revive him. GET SOME, altitude!

It is truly a sad moment for me to convey the sad news of the passing of Spanky's son, Chris Hadley. Chris passed away today at Skydive Airtight after complaining of chest pains. The cause of his passing is not known yet. There will be a memorial service sometime this week and an ash dive at a later date. Chris was a freefall videographer and packer at SDA and a friend to all that knew him. There is a hollow feeling in all our hearts and he will be missed. Chris was 25 years old. GET SOME, altitude!

Question: Are you really a skydiver or do you just like to come on here and try to stir shit? Where do you jump? And if you don't believe, so be it. Why are you trying to convince others differently? GET SOME, altitude!

Good job Steve. Gulp, (lump)! GET SOME, altitude!

I am the DZO and the pilot of the cessna 182 in this video. This is not the only time this tandem master has thrown the drogue on the step. He actually leaves the door with his hand on the drogue handle. The drogue has barely missed the tail of my plane on at least a half dozen exits. I have had talks with this tandem master about this type of exit, which I will not tollerate at my DZ, and he promises to do better and has. ALL tandem masters should be stable before deploying the drogue in normal jump situations. If they are not confident in their flying skills (exiting), maybe they should not be doing tandems. GET SOME, altitude!

God bless you Uncle Don. Thanks for the rating. GET SOME, altitude!

The first one looks great Steve. Looks as though its gonna be sort of a hit for ya! SkydiveAirtight.com GET SOME, altitude!

"Floyd" T-Shirts are available in the dropzone.com Classifieds. GET SOME, altitude!

We do train older students at our DZ. However, we feel it is best for them to do a couple of tandems or so first to learn canopy control and to get freefall exposure. Latest elderly AFF student to complete his level one was 71 years old. We use a "Flare" simulator (toggles, cables, pullys, and weights). If the student is too weak to pull a flare, we send them home to exercise until they can pull a decent flare. Our S&TA who is also our chief classroom instructor and an AFFI has the final say whether to let them jump or not. It is a MUST they be mentally and physically fit to make a skydive. GET SOME, altitude!