DougH

I might print that out, that is exactly why I became a tandem instructor, and exactly what I always want to keep in perspective. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Personally John I try to avoid deploying between my legs. I'll let the freeflyers and hot shots pull off the between the legs extreeeeeeeeeeeeme gainer deployments. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I have jumped naked in the nice lush New England area, and I have jumped ballons in Eloy a number of times. But I must be a complete wimp because I have no desire to jump naked from a ballon in Eloy. The ground is to hard, no nice green soft grass, and there is a ton of prickly shit out there! "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

They get an edited product that they couldn't get otherwise, that is where the value comes from. Places I've been that had video editors (i.e. the videographer was not editing their own footage) the value of that service seems to be ~$18. I think you are missing my point. The cost to produce does not equal the price point of a service or product. Unless your video editors can get the student up in the air, film their jump, and produce the DVD for 18 dollars you are comparing apples to oranges. Ever seen a tandem student make a tandem skydive and end up with a edited DVD of their jump with no plane, no dropzone, no dzo, no tandem instructor, and no tandem equipment. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Why wouldn't you? I don't offer a rebate for my students that arched extra well. They get an edited product that they couldn't get otherwise, that is where the value comes from. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Sorry, but this is one of the stupidest things I have read since joining here. Are you so lacking in common sense and concern for others that you really needed confirmation on here? "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

It is outdated and useless. Save yourself the trouble of listing in the classifieds. I will give you fifty dollhairs! "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

You are going to need a good lawyer and a good accountant. The first step is going to be setting up the organization as a legal entity. You need to determine the bylaws of the club: Who are the initial officers. How does the club elected new officers, what are the rules that apply to them, what are the term lengths. Does an entire board get elected at once, or do you want certain positions to come up for vote at different years so you have some overlap and continuity between different boards. You are going to need to apply for tax exempt status with the IRS. There is going to be state and federal registration for indirect taxes (sales tax, payroll tax). You need good guidance in this area to make sure the organization is doing the required things. The club will need to have regular club meetings with minutes recorded. Club needs its own bank accounts. Contributions to the club need to be given consideration to avoid liability to the contributors. You can't be paying club expenses out of club members funds, it blurs the lines. Pitfalls besides all of the above: Is the DZO's lease assumable, or will you be subleasing from the DZO? What is the length of his lease, do you have a renewal option that is in your favor. Need a good lease agreement on the aircraft to make expectations clear between the club and DZO. Will the current insurance company offer slip and fall insurance to the new club. My biggest concern would be doing all of this substantial setup only to have the airport not renew the lease to the club in year 2. I would want a multi year lease to protect the initial investment of time, effort and money. You can get a new plane, but getting a new DZ is a different story. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

So your wondering more about how to turn the existing sole proprietor business into a club? Is the club going to be buying the business from the existing DZO? How do you plan on funding the initial start-up expense of the club? Do you want this to be a non profit 501(c)3 type organization? It sounds like you want more specific information, but you are asking a really broad question. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Clubs are a lot of work and you really need a dedicated base of fun jumpers who are going to help manage the operation. Otherwise one or two people get stuck being the DZO without the benefits of owning the business. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Not by much! Which is why I view these conversations as so valuable. I don't think this is a pissing match at all! I have a few decades of learning to go before I come close to the pool of experience that others in the industry draw on. It is great to have this site to bounce ideas and thoughts off other instructors. Otherwise we would each be limited to our own experiences, and the experience of others at your DZ.

I guess this is where I am having a hard time, and maybe it is because of the way I exit. I perceive more of a chance of a drogue getting out of the boc, or a reserve getting fired, by trying to force them if they balk on the step. My students sit in the door with both feet on the step. They are either square in the door, or slightly aft, with a bit of their butt still on the door frame. I am behind them crouched (I am a short 5'6), My left foot is planted in the front corner of the door frame. I get my right foot underneath my body as much as possible. Student is looking up at the door, we rock with a ready set go, on go I push off with my left foot for a launch and do a diving exit for the tail of the plane. With this exit I am in the plane, the drogue and boc, as well as the reserve and reserve pins are inside the plane. The only thing out the door is the students legs and part of their butt. I am planted on both feet so it is not hard to back up with the student. I guess I could easily push the student off the step as well, but it may not be a clean exit if they are pushing on the step trying to push their body back into the plane. With their legs extended and tensed I will need to get their feet off the step, or I have to pivot over their legs which puts me high into the door opening, dragging the reserve flap in the process. Why do you guys think there is more of a chance of a preemie when backing up? "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I thought they all used out of circulation casino chips. Ha Ha "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I have a smart that is one of earlier production runs and it doesn't have plastic grommets. When was this being done? "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I am a new TI, only two seasons fresh, but until last weekend I didn't have anyone balk at the door. I have had a few customers that I knew were nervous and I worked hard to manage their anxiety all the way from taxi to landing. This is where not taking naps in the plane pays off. It is hard work moving students around in a 182, I would rather chat, play rock paper scissors, cuddle with scared girls, have them work on breathing with me, than have to swap places with the other tandem pair to get the student in the back out. This past weekend I have three customers that had very big fear responses once we got to the door. Two I was able to talk them through to jumping, one had to land with the plane after two attempts. I will not take an unwilling passenger, and while no no no may sound like go go go I don't want the legal liability. I can safely get a student back inside the 182 because only their feet are on the step. I look at it this way. If you bust a willing passengers ankle on landing they are going to be way more understanding. If you push out an unwilling customer and something goes wrong they may very likely feel maligned and may try to sue you, waiver or no waiver. Second you are way more likely to have a bad jump forcing out the student. Their feet are on the step and they have all their legs strength to push back against you.' They can push you up into the door frame. They can slip and bounce you or themselves off the step. Screw that, grab under their legs and work them back inside. Calm them down, tell them they can do this, work on their breathing. If they get on the step again and still won't jump it is time to land in the plane. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I hear you on the projector. I just thought it was an interesting gimick. Nothing we would have even thought of 10 years ago. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Really awesome Captain! I am totally going to have to make that visit I keep talking about once it is flying. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

I have seen it for sale around 1099. What is holding me back is the lack of boxes and mounts. That being said I am almost 99% sure I am buying a CX760 and a new helmet at the end of this season! Do the projector models actual project worth a damn? "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Old version is not water resistant. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Suck it up cupcake. How would anyone know your experience level? Your profile is blank, maybe deliberately. And at first it appeared that you were fishing for favorable anwsers. You aren't allways going to get touchy feely anwsers, and you don't need to, it is the anwser that matters. Full elliptical canopies are not for lower experience jumpers. Bad opening characteristics, oversteer, faster turn rates and altitude loss are all reasons why the manufacturers specifically state this. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

At least a thousand rounds. Anything small with have FTE problems if you limp wrist it. It isn't a target pistol, it isn't a thrill to shoot, it hurts your hand a bit. But the pay off is that you have a 9mm that you can carry in a front pants pocket. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

You are the first person I have ever met that would trust their life with a KelTec. There is a reason you can pick one up for $150. Pretty much since the day it came out the LCP has been praised as one of if not the best weapon for ccw. I like the LCP a lot and will probably pick up one soon. I was looking at the LC9 pretty hard but didnt care for the long trigger pull. I currently have Ruger's SR40c which i am in love with. It's actually very easy to conceal for a .40 but it's still just a tad big to comfortably conceal when dressed for work. My KelTec shoots great, is nice and reliable, and I paid for less marketing, and less gun writer pay-offs. Aside from the $$$ Rohrbaugh 9mm it is one of the smallest 9mm you can buy. Price does not equal reliability or quality. I have seen Khars crack frames, etc. You sound like a fanboy for an IPhone! Anyone who praises the LCP as the best thing for CCW failed to read the FBI ballistics tests. A .380 is better than a rock, but it is far from a fantastic round. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

It is a window licker joke. Quit leaving streaks on the aircraft windows! "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

It is an overpriced KelTec rip off. LCP = Little Copy Pistol. I like my KelTec PF-9, 7+1 147g 9mm in a amazingly small package. Small enough to pocket carry. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P

Because on average women should be lower in weight, unless they are tall. A 220 pound woman is going to be both overweight and out of shape unless tall. The body shape is also a problem pear shaped women ooze out of the harness more than beer bellied men. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P