tombuch

Sure, there are students like that, and sometimes they are a hassle. Sometimes they are begging for your help and they don't even know it. Obviously you really like skydiving. Express that enthusiasm to your troubled student. Help her find whatever it is that you consider so enjoyable. Sometimes a student is so overwhelmed that they can't see the upside of our amazing sport. I can't promise that it will make a difference in her jumping career, but it gives you a reason to keep working with her, and a real opportunity to change her life. Share your stoke. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I should have but didn't. Many years ago I was flying a conventional Vector tandem when I had a drogue in tow. After all the normal procedures I tried to pull the reserve handle but it wouldn't budge. I was getting low, nearing tandem terminal, and struggling with both hands to force the velcro apart and pull the reserve handle. Because I was reaching over the student with my right arm the two way had a slight spin. It was ugly. Finally, I was able to get the velcro apart and pull the reserve at a reasonable altitude, and everything was fine. Once on the ground we checked all the other tandem rigs and found that on many of them the velcro had taken a set, and it was difficult to pull either (or both) the cutaway or reserve handles. Until that jump I had always done handle checks but had not included the RSL ball. Following that jump every handle check included a final touch of the RSL ball. I also added a peel and check of the velcro handles to my morning pre-flight equipment inspection. In addition to all the above, I learned how important it is to pull every handle on every rig at every repack. Simply extracting a pin from the back of the rig isn't sufficient to ensure that all systems are functional. I already knew that, but this incident convinced me that the repack is about more than just exposing nylon to the air. When I discuss the proposed extension of the reserve repack cycle I think of this inspection issue, and others, and am convinced that for some rigs, including tandems and student gear, extending the repack cycle isn't a good idea. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

A shorter cycle for students shouldn't boggle an inspectors mind at all. It's simply a matter of defining private use vs. commercial use, something that is already done with airplanes. Privately owned parachutes used by the owner should be on a 180 day cycle. Parachutes used by students, or in rental/loan programs should be on a shorter cycle so that a rigger inspects the equipment more often. The exemption request was filed on behalf of many organizations representing 620,000 users. Nobody is speaking for the students, passengers, or other members of the general public that don't belong to one of the big alphabet groups. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

You are overthinking it, but not by much. You should understand the concept and be able to calculate a precise exit point based on a winds aloft forecast. In the real world we use a lot of "thumbnail calculations," but that is based on a technical understanding of drift. Overthinking the process now gives you the understanding and foundation to "wing it" later. I can calculate a precise exit point that, given the forecasted winds, that would be perfect, but in reality, the winds are never as forecasted, and we use a wide range of exit points along an extended wind line. In time you will understand how to assess the accuracy of the winds forecast, and how much margin for error you can build into the jumprun calculation. You will also understand the differing effect of wind on freefall and canopy drift, and be able to add changing winds into your thumbnail calculation. I often complain on this site and elsewhere because so many instructors fail to teach spotting and wind calculation, but part of that problem is students who don't want to learn. Your efforts to "overthink" the issue are applauded because they indicate an interest in understanding the process. Stick with it. Check out the following: http://skydivetheranch.com/spotting.htm This is from the student area of The Ranch web site. I didn't write it, but recommend it as a beginning point for understanding wind drift calculations. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I'll argue the words "and" or "or." My reading of the regulation says that if either component is not TSO'ed, then the whole thing isn't TSO'ed and the home country rules are in effect. If both components are TSO'ed, then the FAA regulations apply. That understanding is based on a careful reading of the NPRM and related FAA comments. See my entire discussion at http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=96. The important paragraph is as follows: ---emphisis added. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Both. I like to open at around 2,000 - 2,500 feet. I have an original Saber 120 that opens fast, so the lower opening altitudes are fine for me. If I'm deep in the order I know the spot will be long, so I want a bit of extra altitude to fly back, and will usually plan on 3,500 or so. Plus, the folks who usually get out late in the order generally open high so it works out if I do too. On those rare passes where the jump run begins downwind of the DZ I'll usually open at 2,500 and be fine. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Yup, it is covered in most schools. See my S&TA features on The Ranch web site at http://theblueskyranch.com/STA.php. It is article 12 "Landing Direction defined." . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

It is in black and white, and the TSO is relevant. If a rig and reserve are TSO'ed it must be packed according to US standards regardless of who the owner is or where they live. If the rig or reserve are not TSO'ed then the home country standard applies, but only if the owner is a citizen of that country, and only for that owner. Go to the top of this thread and count down seven posts 'till you find my first response. Then click on the link to the DZ.com feature about the issue. It is black and white. It is black and white. It is black and white. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

), you can have drunk, half retarded monkey pack it and it would be a-ok Read Andrews post again. He said "If it is certified gear..." That means TSO'ed reserve and container, and as has been discussed here, that must be packed by an FAA rigger within 120 days. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Probably winning a naked low pull contest in Albany. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Number 2. The tandem instructors should be focused on students and customers. Instead, they tend to focus on factory style rides, and making the next back to back load. It isn't fair to say that of all of our tandem instructors, but it does seem to be a problem recognized by many of the regular jumpers. Of course that's not just a problem at my DZ, but at other as well. I'd like to say that all of our staff are customer focused, and if you have a problem with the spot you can simply ask for help, but that's not the case. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Sort of a thread hijack, but I always wondered what was in all that brown space near the Rocky Mountains, and why there are those tiny isolated houses in the middle of nowhere. Everytime I flew over I promised myself I would drive out there and explore. Millions of air miles later I lost my job. So, I loaded the car and checked the country out. Slept in the car for six weeks, hiked, camped in the woods, saw America. I've repeated the journey three times. It's a kick, and soooo much better than sitting on a stupid airplane wondering what's down below. When I was in that air travel mode I always tried to make time for trips to the major DZ's and ski mountains, just as it sounds like you are doing now. Business travel offers all kinds of perks, so take advantage of them now 'cause you may not want to deal with it in the future. I guess there are still days when I want to slip into a big first class seat, hit a far away Morton Steak House for the lamb chops, then fall into a huge soft bed in a Westin Hotel, but those days are few, and getting further in between. One other thing...somebody added Elsinore to the suggested Perris trip, and I'll second that. The chance to check out two top DZ's in the same trip is another great reason to go all the way west. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

If he has 2 million miles he can get an unrestricted ticket. Or, something that many people don't know, if you are in the elite level of an airline program they will often waive the blackout dates. A traveler with 2 million miles is a prize customer, and the airlines want to keep him happy. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Perris Valley SD or Eloy (SD Arizona). Both offer tons of great airplanes, mostly super weather, good people, organizers, terrific gear stores, everything. Perris is in Southern California and closer to a more urban area (LA), so it may be more fun for non-jump activities and is an easy surface trip from LAX. Plus, Perris has a wind tunnel on the airport and at SD Arizona I think you need to travel for a couple of minutes to get to the tunnel. You will find top skydivers at both places as well as outstanding schools and plenty of new jumpers to play with. I'd avoid Z-Hills and Florida unless there is a reason to stay on the east coast. There are great drop zones there (SD City is my most frequented DZ in the region), but the winter weather is catch-as-catch-can. When I went to Florida in the winter I expected to loose 50 percent of time to weather, and really only chose the state because of easy transportation from NYC and the same time zone. With all that said, I lost my heavy travel job in 2001 and have well over a million miles in the bank. I haven't been on a commercial airplane since, and don't miss it a bit. The miles are starting to expire, and I really don't care. I have made it around the country a few times by car, but air travel sucks. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Same in the United States to get an "A" license at 25 jumps. Unfortunately, with many drop zones using large turbine airplanes and GPS spotting, far too many students are never taught this important skill. I'd guess that of the 22 people on our Otter at any time, I'd trust about 7-8 to spot for me, and those would be old timers or AFF instructors. I hear from many of our mid-experienced jumpers (100-300 jumps) that they don't trust themselves to spot. We are having the same problem with packing. That's a skill that I think our DZ has been doing a better job of teaching lately, but we still get graduates that don't trust their pack jobs and won't ever do it after they get out of the school. Don't even get me started on the way we teach regulation, 'cause we don't. Ughhhhh! . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Gosh, that's an interesting set of questions. Your profile lists your home DZ in Long Island and says you have 14 jumps. I'm one of the S&TA's at a neighboring DZ (The Ranch) so I'll chat about our policy, but you need to understand that while every drop zone is unique, The Ranch is very, very, very unique. The first rule of skydiving is to be safe. If you think a spot is too dangerous then don't get out. That rule applies at every drop zone, even those without rules. The Ranch is famous for jumping through clouds. Big ones, little ones, tall ones, small ones. I hate that, but it happens. If you have a problem jumping through clouds then I'd suggest you evaluate the conditions on the ground and not get on the load when there are lots of clouds in the area. If it happens that you are in the door ready to jump, and the jump run will put you in a cloud, you can always step back and let others go ahead of you. Please make your decision quickly so the rest of the load has an opportunity to violate FAR's and place themselves and other air traffic at risk without blowing the spot. Once the load is empty you can talk to the pilot and if there are wide enough holes he/she should be willing to give you a quick second pass. The pilots won't like that, but they are pretty solid about taking care of our customers. If the clouds are really too big for you, you may of course ride the plane down. On the cloud issue, keep in mind that jumping through a small isolated cloud is illegal, but not really dangerous. Jumping through a 6,000 foot wide hole may be legal, but it's usually not safe. As for just not liking the spot...umm, I hate to say this, but with 14 jumps I'd be shocked if you even know how to spot. Heck, I regularly see people with hundreds of jumps who don't have a clue about spotting. That's especially true of jumpers from large turbine DZ's with big open landing areas where spotting isn't considered a big deal. Our pilots are great with GPS, and unless you are at the very end of a pass, you should get back. With that said, I'll repeat the first rule of skydiving...be safe. If you really don't like the spot, don't get out. If others want to get out, move away from the door quickly and let them go. Our pilots will probably be pissed that you didn't trust them, but they should be willing to get you back over an area that you are comfortable with. As for opening high if the spot is too long...I like to talk with the folks behind me about that long before exit. If it looks like I'm going to be at the back of a pass I'll adjust my intended opening altitude at the early discussion stage. So, if I know I'll be number 18 I'll plan to open at 3,000 - 3,500 feet. If I'm first out I'll probably plan to open at 2,000 feet. Or, I'll adjust my opening for the people in front of me such that if you are in front and planning to open at 4,000, I'll also plan to open at 4,000, even if I'd rather get the extra freefall time. If things change while we are on jump run I'll know it as I look out the window while others are jumping, and I'll tell the folks behind me that we are long and I'm going to open at x,000 feet. I'll break off my jump early and then track off the flight line. Those altitude adjustment are pretty mild, generally limited to a bump-up of only 500 - 1,000 feet. If you do that, try to tell the folks behind you, and always track off the line of flight. Since we usually build jump runs with belly flyers to freeflyers and big groups to small, the issues with spotting usually happen at the back of the pass with low-time jumpers, followed by tandems. Our tandem instructors should understand that they need to look out for those last customers on the pass, but too often the instructors are the ones yelling at the inexperienced jumpers to get the 'f' out. They can be pretty rude about it. The rudeness factor can be an issue for some people at The Ranch, but keep the first rule of skydiving in mind...be safe. Don't try to argue or discuss the spot with a hostile tandem instructor 'cause it's like teaching a pig to dance. Just move out of the way, quietly remind yourself the arrogant tandem instructor is a dick-wad, then seek a second pass from the pilot or enjoy the plane ride down. In any case, if you have a problem with the spot, a pilot, or a tandem instructor, mention it to manifest and we'll try to resolve the issue. The tandem instructors know they are supposed to be kind to our guests and help the inexpereinced jumpers as best they can, but sometimes that part of the job description is forgotten. It may also be that the spot was fine, and we can go over that with you too. Things are mellower on the ground and most of us are friendly (in a New York kind of way), so don't sweat it. Umm, that's a lot of words. Sorry. The key thing to remember, always, is the first rule of skydiving...be safe. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Check out this opinion from the Jump Shack web site (May 15, 2000) available at http://www.jumpshack.com/default.asp?CategoryID=TECH . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Uggggh! Not this topic again! Quade, you may set whatever rules you like for your drop zone, but other DZ's will have their own rules and policies. First person down isn't the only option and isn't always the best option. I assume your comment was intended to apply to your specific DZ but it reads like a national policy. At my DZ we have a policy of establishing the landing direction at the boarding area prior to take off. If folks want to land in another direction they are welcome to do so away from the main landing area. Full details are available at http://theblueskyranch.com/STA.php. See article 12 "Landing Direction Defined" Sorry, the graphics aren't operational yet on the new site. This topic has been debated so many times I can hardly stand dealing with it anymore, but new visitors deserve an educated review. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I think it is a big deal, and USPA can (should) revoke the ratings of the coaches who operate outside their scope of practice. See the Disciplinary section in the USPA Governance Manual at http://www.uspa.org/publications/manuals.pdf/Gov.Man.Sept04.pdf. I think it is page 21, section 1-6. USPA should also revoke the group membership of the DZ. When a DZ advertises that they are a group member the student has a right to expect that the operation follows all mandatory rules of the organization. A failure to follow the rules (DZ) or enforce the rules (USPA) cheats the student and denies the basic level of care that is promised by the group membership pledge. That subjects the coach, drop zone, and USPA to significant liability. In addition, if the airport requires group membership and requires that the DZ follow the BSR's, and then fails to deal with a known violation, the airport also faces increased liability. This kind of violation does happen at other drop zones and USPA is lax in enforcement, and I think that needs to change. Group membership has privileges and should also have enforced responsibilities. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I understand it, but I doubt a novice will. If you are going to prepare teaching material for the topic I suggest you include diagrams and descriptions. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

If your rig is TSO'd you will need to have it packed every 120 days. See: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=96 . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Passing out due to heat exhaustion while running back to back to back to back tandems is neat as well. So dress for freefall and skip the back-to-back loads if it's too hot for you. Both can be small factors that together can conspire to create a fatality. We should be targeting the highest safety possible, with the fewest risk. Everytime we reduce the margins by even a little bit we cheat the student. Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

Sure. Sometimes it's a size issue, sometimes a personality issue, sometimes it's related to a specific problem the student is having. I'm pretty confident that I can 'manage' just about any student, but some will learn better from another instructor, or relate better to another instructor. In those cases I've often said that I can make the jump, but that the client will have a better learning experience with another instructor and I'll generally specify which instructor. I don't refuse, exactly, but I don't leap into a bad situation if it can be better with somebody else. I also teach snowboarding in the winter, and the same is true there. I'm not great with little kids, but when it come to frightened 40 year old ladies, I'm the man. Always think about student learning first, and know when you are not the best person for the job. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

I think I remember that possibility being announced in Parachutist long before the board made the decision. As I recall, Chris Needels used the awards as the topic of one of his monthly columns and asked for input before the board took up the topic. The issue was one of administrative cost for awards that had fallen out of favor with the membership. I think his query received very little interest in retaining the awards at the time. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

You might also want to check out an advisory I wrote to help with inspections by New York City Police. It explains the law and how to check a rig without an invasive inspection. The advisory was initially written at the request of a couple of jumpers and has been provided to the officer in charge of training at NYPD, but I haven't heard any feedback regarding its effectiveness. I suggest you have this advisory handy so the inspectors have a clear and jumper-friendly reference. The TSA guidelines basically say they can do whatever they want, but inspectors are encouraged to have the owner of the rig available when the inspection is done. . Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy