diablopilot

HEY! I resemble that remark! ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

That's a nice thought, but I don't know of any law that makes it so. And who's to say they bought the business? Maybe they just bought the assets. They sure don't have the airplane, they brought their own. In the end it's what the business owner wants to do. If they want to keep the loyalty of their fun jumpers they may honor the tickets. If they don't care.....well..... Of course they did honor a grace period, and that has since expired. Too bad for the OP. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

So if you buy a gift certificate from Macy's and 2 years later go to use it but find the Macy's has moved out and a Sears has opened in the same building, should they honor the certificate? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Act like a spoiled child, expect to be treated like one, act like an adult...... When one goes out of their way to offer information and help, and is then ostracized for it by a "know it all" simply because said help isn't solicited, what should they do? Give up? That's a nice idea, except when someone then dies there is still a black mark on the sport. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Can you let us know the type of gear? I cannot see how the hand cam contibutes, can you enlighten us a bit more? What kind of reserve handle, and how exactly did it snag on the jumpsuit? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

AFAIK you could always do that. It just meant sending it in. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

If that's what you mean by carnival rides then I agree. Those behaviors are also against any and all of the guidelines of the agencies I've been licenced by. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any regulation. But often people associate the term "carnival ride" with operations that simply do "fun" tandems and have no continuing education program. If the instructors are dedicated to the safety of their jobs and that of their student, I see nothing wrong with a business owner operating in that way. Does it do much to contribute to the continuation of our sport? No. But guess what? Not everyone who does a tandem should skydive, and those that really wish to learn, will find out how. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

So does it make sense to train (hopefuly) instructors to all the same standard using the same method (ISP) but then not ensure the same standards in the program to train students? I believe a USPA group member should pledge to use the USPA approved traing program (ISP). Otherwise, what's the point of the membership? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

There are entire DZ's that are ignoring that. I met a coach (not their fault, that's how they were trained) that was told the "I" meant "Initials". Bingo! Yet they are still USPA group members alot of them. The 2 page card can be used if the instructors and school take the time to inform the students of the requirements and what to expect. I do like the 4 page card much better however. There are DZ out there that are allowing coaches to sign off on the proficiency card, and it's not right. IMO any "A" licence issued on such a card is not valid. Edit: I think that the 2 page card can work in to situations. When the DZ has an all inclusive training program much like the standards up heald at Skydive Chicago, or Spaceland (from what I've seen of their programs) or at small DZ's that can devote more time and focus to their students. But the 2 page card does not work at "20 minutes till the next student" DZ's. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Not that I'd wear water gear for a pond swoop, but I did almost drown after a pond swoop went bad, in only 3.5 feet of water. Got knocked stupid by the impact, and had lines and canopy wrapped around me preventing me from standing. Very clear moment of thought as I was watching bubble from my mouth headed for the surface. Something along the lines of "stand up or you're going to DIE!!!" ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Tom, the "Carnival ride" is not what's creating dangerous situations, it's the fact instructional ratings, and apparently now course director appointments are easier to get from the USPA than the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks. TI's are being created from scratch in a weekend, and then being thrown on the front lines doing multiple back to backs with unlimited types of students at the needs of the DZ. What happened to "probation" as being a time for supervision, additional training, and not exceeding ones skillset? Skydiving has changed, maybe it's time for the requirements to do so as well. How about 1000 jumps? What about going back to requiring an AFF rating? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

It's come up again, so I thought I'd start a dialogue about it. How many people understand that the "I" on the USPA A licence (yellow) card, means an Instructor's, not a Coach's signature, is required for sign offs? On the newest 2 page version of the A licence proficiency card there are no entries that may be signed by a coach. On the 4 page version, the freefall and exit may be signed by a coach, but the over all category must be signed off by an instructor. This clearly indicates that USPA Coaches may only conduct evaluations under the supervision or approval of a USPA rated Instructor. By operating in this way the standard of education should be maintained. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

But didn't you know that's the only kind of jumping that happens on DZ.com? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Perhaps, just maybe Ted can also accomplish something after death too. Mabe you're not familiar with the trends in this sport, but Ted dies because he did not listen to the words of those who had seen this type of thing before. He failed to see the examples laid before him. Maybe the celebration of his life, can include the small but fatal error in judgment he made so that others might live on. It's not a new trend in skydiving to use the death of someone that was cared about to help prevent others from making the same mistakes. Sticking your head in the sand, and trying to hide an accident, does nothing positive. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Really? How so? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Don't click then. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

TI's were offered the ability to "grandfather" their ratings into USPA ratings back when the USPA TI rating was created. I will agree with the earlier point that the BOD probably didn't contact TI's in the industry about this ruling. It seems there are only a small handful of BOD members that bother to comunicate with the members they are suposed to represent. Maybe I should run for office. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Fly your body first, then fix the student after you've established control.

What makes you say that? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Wait untill your patio, or deck starts to collapse. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

And Chopper will have a snack. j/k I'm sure they'll be fine together....

How about the standard Sigma with the HOP330. They pack easy, and are a great combination. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Also seen it done on a Caravan. When loading, weight should be foward before the tail is loaded. IMO the LAST slot on a Caravan that should ever be filled for takeoff is the spot in the tail. After takeoff if the pilot allows than someone can shift into that slot. I have had pilots in Caravans say that on lighter loads they like having someone back there to adjust the CG, but not for takeoff. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

Are you saying you don't get skee-urd anymore? ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

My personal opinion is that they are junk, and for just a few dollars more one can get a well built custom fit and colored jumpsuit which will last years. ---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.