tspillers

You sure that wasn't infamous? I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Well at least the cool people were there You know, like your girlfriend. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Thanks for the support. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Actually, we are at less than 1300 total and about 750 since top. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Derek, Remember only Part 135 needs to do overhauls at TBO. This is a guideline and there should be some criteria that a DZ/their mechanic is using to determine that the engine is still in good condition. We hope to be going beyond TBO soon. The engine has had a top end overhaul and the crankshaft/case isn't showing any signs of significant wear. We would be happy with 1.5 times TBO, but there is no reason with proper maintenance and procedure that you can't go more. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

A little, but more the business less than 3 years old thing. I think we will eventually do ok and keep the bills paid. You get into this business because you love doing it, not to get rich. Even the very successful DZ's could have made more money on the same investment. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

The SIM Sec. 4 has the oral exam. Some DZ's make their own written exam and this is acceptable for USPA A license requirements. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Bill, correct me if I am wrong. It is my understanding that you can submit your own paperwork to RWS and, if it meet certain criteria, they may allow you to use said paperwork. We don't have a waiver (other than RWS's). We have an Assumption of Rish Agreement. Waivers are useless in Texas according to our attourneys. A contract or agreement is very useful. Also, I have heard rumour that only the first portion of the video is required now. Is this true? Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Sherri, We are about to be in this exact situation. We have a student that is 130 exit weight. We will put her on a Navigator 200 or a Sabre 2 190. 130 lbs 200 sq' .65 wl 130 lbs 190 sq' .68 wl Compare to me: 215 lbs 300 sq' .7 wl I have jumped the Nav 300 and it works fine in wind student wind conditions. I expect her to quickly (maybe even the next jump) move down (to 190 if 200, or 170 if we use the 190). I also anticipate it won't be long before she is on the 150 at .87 wl depending on her progression. I just went through Scott Miller's Essentials and advanced course. I put a jump on the Navigator 240 at .89 wl. I was able to do many of the manuevers that we have students perform towards their A license. They did not respond like my velocity of course, but they did respond well enough to teach the concepts. For flat turns, I had to almost let on toggle all the way up to get a sufficient turn. That begins (with proper explanation) to teach the concept. A smaller jump will get more response at the same wing loading due to the length of the lines. Although I will never be able to experience a .6-.8wl on a 190, I would imagine they can get more out of the lessons from the added response. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

As a CCD, I agree that candidates should review the ISP. I will go over a section or 2 and evaluate if they have done so. If they seem to have read the material, then I only cover high points and move on to the more effective portions of the course. The coach course is not meant to be a 'let me teah you the ISP course', you should already know that material. As more DZ's use the ISP that should evolve into candidates knowing that material better. If you learned through an AFF method, you should have some idea about AFF. It is a PREREQUISITE to have taught FJC's and assisted in them. There isn't time in the course to do this. We do have candidates teach portions of the FJC for evaluation. As you mentioned, this is an excellent time for tips. I think it is important for evaluators to clarify the difference between tips and evaluation criteria. Use of whole-part-whole is evauluation. How you present a part could be a tip. I always encourage new coaches and instructors to listen to others teach whenever possible. You can always learn from this. You may learn things you don't want to do, but you will also find things you want to use. Different anologies to get your point across is 1 example. The more tools you have in your bag of tricks, the easier it will be to get your point across to someone who is having a hard time with a concept or task. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

I would disagree with you. The coach course teaches you how to teach and gives you application of the techniques to skydiving lessons. It also teaches/evaluates your observation skills in air and your ability to teach from these observations. If the course doesn't deal with these, then the Course Director isn't teaching (candidates failing to learn). I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Cool. You want to make it a better day and come out to a transition course tonight? 7:30 at the DZ. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

I am with Chuck on this one. Keep in mind that there is a difference (and many different ways) between a good slide and a strike with the ground. The flare is the important part to help with this. A strike to your tailbone can be bad. 2 common techniques are: slide as if you were sliding into home plate, and similar to a tandem where you slide on your feet and eventually down to your butt. The second option allows you to possibly stand up at the end if the speed slows enough. Both of these really need a smooth landing area to prevent catching a foot/leg and complicating the situation. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Yes, but that isn't what you are getting paid for. That is what you are doing instead of what they are paying you for. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

OH, I know and wouldn't change it. It is just an observation. That is why I try to stress in Coach Courses how important their job is. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

As I have argued before. It is post slutting since you aren't getting paid to do this. You may be getting paid for something you aren't doing while posting. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Does it seem ironic to anyone else that as an I we teach the life saving skills. I's tend to be more skilled in skydiving and for obvious reasons bust work with beginner students (AFF may have to catch students, get them stable, save their life, etc.). Once a student has these basic skills, we pass them to coaches. The coaches, often less skilled, teach them more how to skydive (take grips, fly with others, track, etc.) The program works, I just think it is a bit ironic that the more skilled are teaching the beginning skills and the beginning instructors (coach) are teaching the more advanced skills. I understand the why's, I just think it is kind of funny. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Tactful, but forceful, told to the kids with the parents watching and listening works great. It makes the parents realize they are taking their responsiblity seriously in an unforgiving invironment. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Kids will be kids and must be supervised. Some of the things I see make me think, "Some kids' parents.." My Kids are overall well behaved and pretty much are a staple at the DZ. I manage it and my wife runs manifest. My kids love to read, they can escape to my office for some playstation (they have a time limit), one of them ride a skateboard and the other a bike. They know the areas to avoid and the oldest (10) is even begun learning how to pack. Even these great kids are still kids. They are currently grounded for pulling up all the cushions from the couches in the student training area to make a fort with. I have seen some of the things mentioned here by spectator's kids. Most of our staff are really good about telling the parents of the dangers and encouraging them to watch their kids. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

There is a defined difference between supervision and direct supervision. A coach is always working under the supervision of an Instructor. Supervision is available, Direct supervision is right there watching. (In a nutshell). I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Good point. It just depends on the DZ. By 'at most', I was ruling out some of the larger DZ's. I have found at the few DZ's I have worked at (and run), they have tried to keep the staff as busy as they can rather than having too much staff. Looking to get full time can help having everything and gives you some income during the week when tandems may be light. It is very important to know where you would like to work and see how the equation will work for you. Some DZ's once you have a rigger's ticket, you don't jump anymore. This could be a factor that doesn't fit my blanket statement either. I know we are in a situation where the DZ is trying to go from weekend and 2 half days to 5 days. Of the people I am considering for full time, only one of them has tandem and AFF, one has tandem and video, one has just tandem. This can really make a difference in our scenario. So, the short version......Check out where you plan to work. The difference between a proffesional skydiver and a large Pizza? A large Pizza feeds a family of 4..... I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

We now own that plane. The individual that did the door and step mod forgot to remove the small factory step on the wheel strut. It stuck out foreward of the jump step. It was removed after the incident. It just so happens the the FAA Inspector that signed off on the plane, now works in our area. We had a lengthy discussion abou it. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

I will speak of before I opened my own DZ and what I see because I actually made money then. If you want to do it most places, you are best getting every rating you can (including rigger). This means you must enjoy teaching. It is not a job that will make you financially well off. You have to do it because you love it. That being said, you can get by. You can pick up a side job to help ends meet or you can just make cut backs in overhead. The main thing is be debt free and learn to save money in the good times so you can still eat in the slow times. I use to make $400-$600 per week but I always had rigging to do during bad weeks. Now I actually have more work and just make less . (New DZ) I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

I would actually like to serve on a jury, but when the find out I used to be an officer, and I know have the force here, they strike me. I don't exactly enjoy wasting most of a day of selection process when the chances are slim and none for me getting selected. We have had a judge that issued warrants for everyone who didn't show once. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

How about under-? I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.