michaelmullins

West Tennessee Skydiving, Memphis, TN, Memorial Weekend Boogie, Friday, May 22 thru Monday May 25. Mike Mullins Super King Air. Luigi Cani Canopy Skills Course, Saturday & Sunday, all experience levels. 28,000' High Altitude Jumps, train Sunday, jump Monday, must be licensed jumper with AAD. Mike Mullins West Tennessee Skydiving http://www.SkydiveKingAir.com 901-759-3483

That's what I'd call an honest use of the term 'free' I bet it's a good business decision too, over the longer run wasn't picking on you specifically, you should see some of posts on the topic of "free" on these threads I understand, no offense taken. Blue skies, Mike Mullins

what is 'free' 0 - free jump () 1 - student pays for their slot only 2 - student pays their slot + coach slot 3 - student pays their slot + coach slot + coach pack 4 - student pays their slot + coach slot + coach pack + (gratuity is rather vigorously encouraged) I've heard people argue vigorously for each of these "REALLY" being what they considered free with the "pay to jump" profeesionals moving to the bottom of the list arguing about the extent of their time, missed pay opportunities, gear maintenance, etc. and how "free" really means they only get paid their 'minimum' allowance to jump with someone plus slot and pack. (it also seems that the farther down the list a pro considers 'free' - there's a correlation to them starting tipping threads too ) I don't much care, but when someone offers "free" they need to be specific When I did free jumps with newbies, I paid my own slot and packed my own rig. Anything above that I consider not free. It might be 'reasonable', but it's not free. coaching now? It's free if I feel like it - it's fun for me still and that's how I was trained. I'll take slot for it if I don't want to really jump at that time, though - I've had staff wake me up from a nap and note someone really needs help on "this load". But if that's the case, then that jump is 100% focused on the student, with a thorough pre-brief, post brief, and a discussion on following progression and what to do next. Choice #1. Student only pays for his own slot. DZ pays for Coaches slot. Jumps are $24 to 14,500'. Student pays $24, goes to 14,500' with a Coach who briefs him prior to the jump, jumps with him, debriefs him after the jump, and makes sure the student's A Card is filled in appropriately. Is that specific enough? Mike Mullins West Tennessee Skydiving

West Tennessee Skydiving provides a free coach to every AFF Graduate on each and every jump until they receive their A License. This is our "Jump Buddy" program where a coach will be assigned to the AFF Graduate who will keep in contact with the student, make sure all items on the A License card are accomplished, and make sure that the student progresses in the sport. If you will come to our DZ, we would be glad to provide a free coach. Mike Mullins www.SkydiveKingAir.com

Grant, Since you invited us to your website I did go there and found your page "AFF to A License and Recurrency Coaching" at http://www.skydivedelmarva.com/alicense.html It states: There are two jumps on the proficiency card that require a coach.... Coached Jump Seats, Gear, Packing & Coach $105 If You Jump Your Own Gear $85 Our "Jump Buddy" Program Seats, Gear, Packing & Coach $49 (no charge for coach) To answer your question about whether the student can jump with other Coaches or only his "personal" Coach, the student can indeed receive free coaching from any Coach when is personal Coach is not available or the Coach would like for him to jump with another Coach to broaden his experience. His personally assigned Coach is simply the "lead" Coach who is responsible for making sure he gets his license and becomes a part of the skydiving community. And, as stated in my previous post: "As for the "unprecedented" claim, I do believe that no one as put all the aspects of this program, as described, into play and guaranteed in writing. I do know that there are other DZ's that do offer free coaching, have for many years and I applaud their continuing effort. So, give me a little break for some advertising hype aimed at giving potential students an incentive to get their license." I applaud you for giving free Coach jumps at your DZ and I am not trying to play "who does more for who and who did it the earliest" but since you are giving free coach jumps perhaps you should change your website to reflect it. I guess I will still claim the "Jump Buddy" program is unprecedented as I have not found a site yet that makes it clear to their students that they will receive a free coach on each and every jump until they receive their "A" License and put it in their price list. Keep up your good work. Mike

Whenever the Coaches have a union, we just throw some cold water on them and they seem to separate OK. Works with dogs, too.

I am not sure you understand the program, but our Tandem Instructors and AFF Instructors are paid, I believe very well, for all Tandem and AFF Jumps. Tandem Instructors receive $50 per jump using DZ gear, $75 per jump using their own Tandem Rig. AFF Instructors receive $50 per jump for single instructor AFF and $35 per jump for two instructor AFF. Before our "Jump Buddy" program, Coaches received a free jump for jumping with a student, the student paid the Coaches slot. No money went to the DZ, other than paying the slot. With the "Jump Buddy" program, Coaches receive a free jump, the DZ pays for the slot, the student pays nothing other than the student's slot. Our Coaches have never been forced to jump with students but have always been happy to jump with students for the free jump. Now they will have a lot more opportunity as each student will receive at least 17 free Coach jumps. Before the program, students would typically only do 1 or 2 Coach jumps due to the added cost. It does indeed seem that whatever our Coaches smoke, it gives them the incentive to jump with our students for a free jump and are "proud" to do it. I also assume that our students who are now getting at least 17 free Coach jumps will also be willing to do the same when they become Coaches.

Drunk, naked skydivers burning junk cars, couches, and anything else combustible.

Mike, I think you meant to use the term "generic" proficiency card. There is no "short" card, at least as far as the items on the card. The number of pages is not a reflection of the content, due to filler space, graphics, notes, etc. There continues to be a belief among many skydivers that the ISP oriented card is "superior" to the generic card, but this is not true. Actually, the generic card describes in more detail many of the items to be learned. Gary, You are correct but to further clarify for our readers, rather than a "generic" and "non-generic" card the cards are named "Proficiency" and "Progression", that is there is an "A" License Proficiency Card that is 2 pages, and there is an "A" License Progression Card, which is 4 pages and neither one is considered superior to the other, just different for different programs. However, a lot of people do refer to the 2 page as the "short" and the 4 page as "long" simply due to the number of pages, and not the content. Mike

Bet they're using the short version of the yellow card though, right? That's really cool. Are coaches donating their jumps, or are they getting paid? Dave We do use the short version so the student will get his free personal Coach for at least 17 jumps. The Student gets the Coach until he receives his "A" License, which may be well after all the requirements, other than jump numbers, are met. Our Coaches have always donated their time. In the past the student paid the Coaches slot, now the DZ picks up the slot. The student's personal Coach is also tasked to contact his Student at least once a week, encourage him to come out, develop a rapport, and make him feel like he is an important part of the skydiving community. The retention rate in skydiving is abysmal. We do not need any more Tandems, what we need is more licensed skydivers. This program is designed to promote the sport through retention. As for the "unprecedented" claim, I do believe that no one as put all the aspects of this program, as described, into play and guaranteed in writing. I do know that there are other DZ's that do offer free coaching, have for many years and I applaud their continuing effort. So, give me a little break for some advertising hype aimed at giving potential students an incentive to get their license. Mike Mullins

A phone call would suffice. However, I caution you that the FAR's specifically require approval of "airport management", NOT the "airport manager". It used to say "airport manager" but there were problems with the airport manager, who, at many small airports is an upaid volunteer, giving permission that the "airport management", the guys on the airport board, may not wish to give. If you will go to airnav.com and select the airport, it should display the owner and/or manager of the airport. If the helicopter is based at the airport, you may wish to get that owner/operator/pilot to help pave the way if they are good relations with the airport. Stress that this is a one time event and you are not asking for permission to continually jump on the airport. Notice of the jump needs to be given to ATC (depending on location it may be a Center or an Approach Control) at least one hour before the jump, and not more than 24 hours prior to the jump. You may also wish to give notification to the Flight Service Station. Under no circumstances contact the FAA FSDO. You do not need them for this and if you do contact them you will open a can of worms as they usually do not know their own rules well. I suggest that you read your USPA SIM (available online) and it will give you good info. I would recommend that you do this jump at one of the local DZ's. You may come out better, even with a ferry, as the helicopter could make more money with more jumpers. I believe that most DZO's would be happy to have the helicopter come in as a special event, you could make arrangements to share some piece of the jump price with them, and it would be more politically correct. Mike

Sorry, not true. First, there is no such thing as a USPA dropzone. There are USPA Group Member Dropzones and there are Dropzones that are not group members, liability insurance is equally valid at both. Next, as long as the jump is not an Exhibition Jump (An exhibition jump, also called a demonstration or display jump, is a jump at a location other than as existing drop zone done for the purpose of reward remuneration, or promotion and principally for the benefit of spectators) and is not done in an area that would require an FAA Letter of Authorization (jumps over or into a congested area or an open air assembly of persons), the USPA liability insurance would be valid. If the jump is to be done over or onto an existing airport, then you would need the permission of the airport management. That airport would then become like any other DZ, after all, that is how all DZ's at airports started! If the jump is to be made at some other location, just make sure that the landing area meets the minimum requirements of the BSR's, it is not in a congested area, is not over an open air assembly of persons, give the proper ATC Notification, and your USPA liability insurance is valid.

You can add: Tennessee Skydiving, LLC, Tullahoma, TN Oklahoma Skydiving Center, Cushing, OK

QuoteHey, I'm thinking about doing my first balloon jump this winter and I'm looking for some insight. How long does it take to hit terminal from a dead air exit? I'm just wondering how much of a delay I can take if the pilot is only willing to take us up to 3 grand, and if it will be worth the money. ------------------------------ Reply: Vertical velocity is totally independent from horizontal velocity. It will take approximately 10 seconds and 1100 feet to reach terminal and it takes exactly the same time whether you jump from a balloon or a jump plane. Mike Mullins

The original waiver request was for a jump from 1,000 to 2,000 feet with a deployment altitude of 400 feet. There is a world of difference between jumping from a fixed object at 400' (starting with zero vertical speed) vs deploying at 400' while traveling 176 feet per second vertically. Mike Mullins

Even better. Someone thought Nicole was Caitlin's mom.. LOL I am not THAT young! Maybe it's not how young you are but how old Nicole is!

! Does anyone have a hoop for the SCR dives? What does a hoop have to do with SCR?

And who gives you those hot babes?

As I said before, you must complete all the requirements for the "A" License before receiving a"B" License. So, yes, you must take the "A" License exam ( it can be written or oral at the discretion of the administering official) before you can complete the "A" License Proficiency or Progression Card, which must be completed before you can receive a "B" License. It works the same way for each license: You can skip any license but you must complete all the requirements for the lower license before you may receive a higher license. BTW, whoever administers your license can go through your logbook and pick out the requirements that you have already fulfilled. You need not repeat tasks that you have completed as long as they are documented. Mike

To meet the requirements of a USPA Class "A" License you will need to have the USPA "A" License Proficiency Card OR the USPA "A" License Progression card completed. You may use either one. Once the USPA "A" License Proficiency Card OR the USPA "A" License Progression Card is completed and you join USPA, you will in fact have a USPA "A" License. If you wish an "A" License Card with number you will need to send the card to USPA along with the fee. However, to receive your "B" License you need only to have the "A" card completed and presented to the official that is signing your "B" License application. You may download the forms here: http://www.uspa.org/USPAMembers/LicensesampRatings/Licenses/tabid/87/Default.aspx Hope that clears it up. Mike Mullins USPA National Director

I will believe 12 gallons a load average when you take up, as you describe, 10 on a load and then a backup load with 5. I just did not want potential customers to believe that you can do 12 gallons with 17 jumpers, or even 15. Also, the advertising that PAC puts out that claims 17 jumper capability is just misleading. Maybe 17 midgets, maybe 17 Japanese, but not 17 fat ass Americans (unless you want to be extremely uncomfortable). And yes, my King Air does have the largest penis, along with its owner. Mike Mullins

"One full altitude ride in a King Air = 38 Gallons One full altitude ride in a PAC = 12 Gallons" Maybe in a really crappy King Air it will take 38 gallons. 25 gallons for a reasonably good King Air is more realistic. Mike Mullins Super King Air will take 14 jumpers to 14,000' in 7 minutes and do it on 18 gallons all day long. As far as the PAC using 12 gallons, I doubt it. A PAC with the advertised 17 jumpers to 14,000' will use at least 18 gallons. If you take up 7 jumpers in the PAC you might make it on 12 gallons. I am not knocking the PAC, I think it is a good aircraft, but I just wanted to give some real life figures. Mike Mullins

The Red Bull Wings Team will be at the West Tennessee Skydiving Halloween Boogie. The Red Bull Wings Team, regardless of their name, has nothing to do with skydiving or flying, they simply show up and give free samples of Red Bull. So for those of you that like Red Bull, or would like to try it, this is your opportunity for free refreshment.

17th Annual Halloween Boogie and Costume Party, Wingsuits, SCS, and Mike Mullins Super King Air Friday, October 31st, Saturday November 1st, Sunday November 2nd, 2008. (King Air will be available Friday at Noon) ------------------------ New this year: Wingsuit Instructor Justin Shorb, from Flock University, will be here with a large selection of Demo Wingsuits and offering Wingsuit First Flight Courses, One to One Wingsuit Coaching and Wingsuit organizing for all skill levels. First Flight Course is just 2 slots plus $20.00 for a total of $68.00 ( this is the cheapest price ever offered!). Loaner Wingsuits and Wingsuit Coaching available FREE to those who complete the First Flight Course. Free Demo Wingsuits, Coaching, and Flock Organizing for all Wingsuit Flyers! For info on Flock U (our prices apply) see: http://www.flockuniversity.org Courtesy of Bill Newell of the Bob Buquor Memorial Star Crest Awards, any Star Crest Soloist Award (SCS) earned at this boogie will receive the award FREE (normally $25). The Star Crest Soloist must freefly the exit (no grips) and must participate in a freefall formation involving eight (8) or more skydivers. See: http://www.scr-awards.com/index.html Student Jumpers: FREE Coaches available to help you complete your USPA “A” License Requirements. Just pay your one slot, West Tennessee Skydiving will provide you a Coach absolutely FREE! --------------------------- Free RW, Freefly, and Wingsuit Organizing. $20.00 Registration includes buffet dinner, beer, soda, and Jell-O shots. Costume Party and GIGANTIC Raffle Saturday night with prizes from many manufacturers offering actual merchandise or discount certificates. Raffle tickets $2.00 each. For prizes see: http://wts.skydivinggeek.com/halloween Best Costume wins a free weekend of King Air jumps at West Tennessee Skydiving. . Jumps are $24.00 to 14,500'. Early bird loads manifested before 8:00 AM just $12.00. Mullins Super King Air, 14 jumpers to 14,500' in 7 minutes, guaranteed fastest jump aircraft in the country, air-conditioned and heated. Mike Mullins West Tennessee Skydiving Wings Field, Memphis, TN 901-759-3483 http://www.SkydiveKingAir.com

"Tractor" could be a combine or other machinery. I guarantee that a free bag and the pilot chute with its coil spring can do some major damage to farm equipment. And don't forget the metal ripcord, which good really reap (pun intended) havoc. Mike