Para5-0

Last summer, I contacted USPA about a TI taking his daughter on a tandem at age 16. I, similar to all TI's, had some confusion about what could and could not be done. A ranking BOD member (nameless) advised me as the S&TA, that a TI could take a 16 year old on a tandem and it was a grey area with the manufacturers. Specifically stated, "they frown upon it but you can absolutely do it". We/I chose not to take on the extra liability and did not allow the jump. We currently, adhere to the 18 years of age to perform a tandem jump. Point I am making: It will depend on who is on the board and their personal thoughts on the topic. I agree, there should be clarity on the topic for DZO's, TI's, S&TA's

That is not a downside at all.

Very heads up and great job.

I have been jumping them for about 6 or so years now. Love them. Except the time my packer didnt cock the P/C and it was a dead p/c in tow. Not enough force to pull out the dbag...ugly.

I am glad you got the tandem rigs back. Could be worse if you didnt. Especially if the company name went bankrupt. Youmight end up on a list of people owed money.

I can actually feel how stoked you are...outstanding positive post..

Welcome aboard and congrats. Let the games begin....

The USPA website has links to all bios on the site for National and Regional Directors: You can also get a ballot download there: National Directors: http://www.uspa.org/NewsEvents/BODElections/NationalDirectorNominees/tabid/540/Default.aspx Regional Directors http://www.uspa.org/USPAMembers/BODElections/ReginalDirectorNominees/tabid/541/Default.aspx Thanks, Rich

I still cant understand why some of the BOD refuses to accept the online community. It is like having an open line of communication with the people on the front lines. If you dont want to hear from the community then maybe it is time to move on. I have read an enormous amount of great ideas that should be brought forward from online avenues, I for one intend to listen and try to accomodate. FYI: there are some that do not use email on a regular basis. How do you stay connected? Hence, the appearance that the BOD is disconnected. of course, I do not mean everyone, just the ones that do not give legitimacy to the online skydiving community. and yes I apologize for the spam if I am in that category, just trying to get the word out there. The USPA has made it as easy as a few clicks to vote and look at bios of those running. Online access has made these candidates contactable. Now whether they respond accordingly is another question. Please vote www.richwinstock.com

Craig, I know several candidates have been active in the election thread, if that helps. Rich

Hello RDutch, I am running for National Director and I will admit is is very hard to get the word out. I personally developed a web site, and have visited numerous dropzones and introduced myself to the DZO, staff, and fun jumpers. I answered as many questions as I had thrown at me. During the next two monthes I have planned travel to many states for my job and I plan on continuing to visit as many DZ's as I can. If you have any specific question pm me anytime. The web site has my background. www.richwinstock.com or visit me on facebook. Thanks, Rich

or 90th ,depending how you look at it.

Thought: one thing that has helped me get the canopy word out so to speak is something I started last year. I was devasted to hear about the double canopy collision at Skys the Limit this year. Two older experienced guys who were adored by all. I hold around 6 or so water trainings at our dropzone each season. When I get the 50 jump jumpers in front of me for water training, I incorporate a canopy discussion as well to include: landing patterns, canopy flight, canopy seperation, freefall seperation, exit order, landing area seperation, canopy characteristics...etc. This is all included in a power point prior to hitting the pool. I figure I have their undivided attention and they have to be there so I have them. Why not use the time and fact they have to be there to my advantage. If there was a mandatory canopy sylabus it would be easy to incorporate it in at this point. It has worked well and I know that all new jumpers get that little extra that is needed at the 50 jump mark. It doesnt hurt to answer their questions at this point. Sometimes they are too shy to ask an instructor during normal jump days. It also helps to do this in the evening or on non jump days so I really have no distractions. I also like the C license and D license idea of a little extra on the topic being offered.

(ii) Received a one-time endorsement in the pilot's logbook from an authorized instructor who certifies the person is proficient to operate a high-performance airplane. Open up the liability, lawsuit issue now. If an S&TA signs this now his ratings, qualifications, experience, skydiving history, background all become party to the first lawsuit and discoverable because Johnny Q decides to hook in. I do like the idea though. Maybe note saying they are proficient but they have been educated would help.

If I can pointout that the SIM recommends a 1.5 WL for jumpers with 500 jumps. It is at this juncture in a skydiving career that presumably the jumper will start to initiate higher performance landings. High performance canopies/landings are not covered. So that might be a great time for an advanced canopy course of some sort. and I do understand that this is being done prior to the 500 jump recommendation. I am dealing with several rather aggressive downsizers at our DZ.

I am wondering if anyone has specifically spoken to a director and specifically given him or her something to present to Safety and Training? If so then where is it? If Safety and Training votes on the proposal it will be presented to the full BOD. I have read the whole thread and wondered if this time was spent putting something together then maybe we can initiate some debate and/or change. I think minus a few word exchanges about physics everyones somewhat on the same page. Why not use the time to present something that makes good sense. Again, I am just trying to get some more information maybe some of you have gone down that road or maybe it has fallen on deaf ears I dont know. I do like alot of what I am reading though, education can only be a good thing, as long as it isnt accompanied by over regualation. Every Friday night for 8 weeks we conducted a canopy seminar in the evening this summer. What I found out was the ones that were present were the most conscientious skydivers amongst the dz. It wasnt them I wanted to reach out to, it was the ones that werent there. Your proposals will allow us to reach that group. www.richwinstock.com

After many years of using a dial altimeter I was convinced to try the N2. One thing that I found funny was the protective casing screen fell out on jump one. I replaced it and it lasted about ten jumps. It is very flimsy and only held in place by a small amount of glue. As far as the altimeter, it has worked well for the season, only having to replace the batteries once. I do enjoy having the jump log and specific information on each jump. Although I question the fallrate that I am told. The opening altitude is calculated in some fashion but based on where I deploy and where I am in saddle, very rarely is it accurate. I also find it sometimes hard to read if the sunlight hits it in a certain way. I would recommend it to a experienced jumper but still try to steer new jumpers to the dial altimeter.

Where does angle of attack come in? You can be swooping at 40 + MPH and use no flare and have less impact than if you fly a larger canopy and come straight down with no flare. Just curious, I am not a psysics guy. I am trying to say or ask you can impact the ground (if it is measurable in some fashion) harder going slower if the angle is steeper. In fact if the angle is extremly low then I imagine your injury will be more of a ass over tea kettle injury as opposed to a crushing type.

Not to go against the grain the FMD had nothing to do with the broken femur, neck, pelvis.. Ultimately a safe landing trumps FMD. I think maybe a discussion on canopy seperation and giving the fmd enough room so you can safely navigate a pattern would be in order. I should add I am not a complete advocate for FMD for several reasons all stated previously. I am an advocate for patterns that are predictable. Hence, some standard that all jumpers are well aware of.

I cant say that I totally agree with that reason for a downsize. Especially for a newer jumper.

I personally spoke to UPT and they only require examiners to renew. Although, I do know some dropzones that require all TI's to renew. I got the impression that the manufacturers want USPA to handle the whole thing.

Okay, Two points, First I have noticed that those that take canopy classes (yes I recommend them to all) are not the ones I am worried about. Sounds strange but those are the ones that are actively seeking knowledge to become proficient canopy pilots and are usually the most conservative and safest jumpers. It is the ones that dont think they need a canopy course that worry me, because they are the ones that are more likely to get themselves or others in trouble. Second, The first jump course is designed to apply to all USPA dropzones across the world. Sometimes instructors who have been teaching for a long time tend to get tunnel vision and adapt the course to their local dropzone. This does the student an injustice for just the reason youstated above. Not all first jump course student will only jump at your DZ. and Lastly, the attempts by USPA, in the above posts are categorized as feable but I think we need to remember we are all onthe same team, and that this constructive critisism can help improve an area that is in desperate need of improving.

If you are in the minority then I am with you. I whole heartily disagree and discourage cameras of any sort on firsts. A good example is when you are driving in a car at night and you are attempting to locate a number on a house or mailbox, what is the first thing you instinctively do? A) Lower the radio. because you mind is telling you it wants all focus to be on vision and not on hearing, (not necessary to locate the number). Take this example and it is important to focus on one thing at a time with no distractions.

Congrats Scooter, Now the learning begins...have fun and be safe.

It is on the Sun Path Web site: http://sunpath.com/web_en/index.php?menu_level1=3&menu_level2=5 If that doesnt work it is under support and then container sizing chart. Hope that helps.