jsaxton

>>Therefore, I further propose the creation of the >>Canopy Instructor (CI) rating. A coach rating >>would be required to become a CI. OK, so all CI's need a coach rating first. This sounds like it complies with the USPA requirement that you need a coach rating before getting anything else. >>Also, a CI would not be working with pre “A” >>license students, but licensed skydivers, and >>don’t require the free-fall skills and teaching >>ability to teach advance canopy skills. I don't understand this part. Since our CI has a coach rating he/she should be able to work with jumpers that have finished AFF and are cleared for solo status, heck according the the ISP a coach can even to catagory F-H jumps now. Catagory F-H jumps have a canopy portion in the dive flow so I don't see the necessity for this restriction.

remember, you're not flying. Your falling with style!

Oh, I thought that there was a FAR that required a two parachute system...

oops, except for jumping with no training.....

Uh, those are FAA rules and would get the pilots ticket pulled.

If you are using IE6 do this: Go to Tools->Internet Options and check "disable script debugging"

you can get them to sew some ZP on the chest.

This is what I am mostly concerned with. Making the new jumpers feel welcomw enough that they actually DO stick around for the beer light.

We are discussing creating a mentoring corps/system at my dropzone. The idea is to: 1) Improve overall safety 2) Improve retention of new jumpers Currently we have some rated coaches but they don't get used a lot because the DZ charges $85 for a coach jump (including gear rental). We also have a pool of great flyers that don't have a rating (for whatever reason) that are willing to participate. Here are some of the ideas that I have come up with. 1) Reduce cost of coach jumps to slot+PackJob (Got the DZM's approval) 2) Graduating jumpers should be introduced to the coaching/mentoring system at graduation 3) Rated Coaches and AFF instructors can jump with unlicensed skydivers 4) Unrated coaches will get an exemption from S&TA while they persue their coach ratings so that they may jump with unlicensed skydivers while they persue their ratings. Unless this can happen unrated coaches will restrict themselves to jumping with licensed jumpers. 5) Mentors should contribute 1 unpaid coach or low time orginized jump each day they are present 6) Jumpers should not freefly until they get a license and have freefly safe gear All this is very preliminary, really just some stuff that we discussed (over many beers) last night. I'm looking for suggestions and experiances from people that are involved in a mentoring system (what worked/what didn't). Thanks in advance.

Barefoot Waterskiing!

Meby I'm just not relaxing enough, but when I exit front float into a back track (like leading a tracking dive) I'm having difficulty flying the hill. I don't actually get unstable, but I'm not comfortable for the first couple of seconds. After I'm off the hill I'm OK. Any tips to try?

Why am I wearing this helmet? And where are my pants??

You share yours and I'll share mine!

Are you grabbing the risers on opening? This will cause the canopy to open fast!

When you are getting dragged on your back it's not so hard to decide to cutaway!

Yas, packing sucka at first.

A lot of the RW types are t Lodi on Saturday for the 60 ways. Byron should be good on Sunday though. Email Mad John and see if he will be out.

Woah! Wait a minute. Are you suggesting that the canopy manufacturers submit themselves to USPA regulations? As far as I am aware they are only subject to FAA regulations at this point.

Bill pulls in the middle and lands last. This probably helps improve his odds. More time to deal with a mal. No traffic in the pattern. Not a bad stratagy if you can.

Do you have any pictures that show the rigging?

Tell her to fuck off.

An intentional cutaway using a tertiary rig requires a C license (have to double check that, meby it's a B). This would most likely not simulate a real malfunction unless you want to pack a line over and risk damage to the first canopy.

Throw $5.00 on top of it and it will pack itself!

I get down to 110mph tracking on my back.

I'll probably be there starting Sept 22nd (yeah, I know that we are closed, but we have a LOT of setup to do).