chuckakers

I've had many conversations about this one with responses ranging from thoughtful to ridiculous. Why did you choose the type of reserve handle you use, and why? Safety, peer pressure, cool factor, fashion - nothing is off limits. Go. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Repositioning legstraps after opening should not be necessary to be comfortable. Was this rig ordered specifically for you or did you buy it stock/used? Also, are the legstraps unusually short? So long that you can't synch them snug? Are they single or double wide (not sure if that's an option on Wings). Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I think Rich's position at HQ and the future of his instructional ratings are distinctly separate issues in this case. I understand the argument of some folks that believe Rich should be removed from his leadership position after actions that were in direct conflict with his official role, and I think there's some validity there. But as for pulling his ratings, I don't think his actions were any more egregious than many other f-ups of rating holders before him who did not have their ratings pulled. For me personally, I would need to see unacceptable behavior while exercising the privileges of a rating before they would be on the line. After all, Rich's actions may have been downright stupid but they weren't malicious. One thing is for sure. This thing certainly has been a catalyst for some spirited debate. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

OTOH ~ if they DID - the ones left wouldn't be certifiably stupid ones! Sorry...you put it out there Chuck, I kinda had to grab it. True dat, Twardo! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I don't think so. What Rich did had nothing to do with his ratings. The only time I've known of someone getting a rating stripped is when they do something egregious while exercising the rating that was pulled, or when they do something that gets them kicked out of USPA, which in turn invalidates all their USPA ratings. Rich is far from the first person to take someone out swooping. There have been dozens of incidents like this one over the years, even on demos. I'm not taking up for Rich here, but if rating holders got their ratings pulled every time they did something stupid, we wouldn't have many rating holders. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I'm not the OP, but I weigh 155 and have a 218 reserve. I bought my reserve and sized my rig for "the unconscious scenario", bought low-bulk to get more canopy into the same container. Dz.com members also helped me to think it through, and I think I made a good decision in the end. I've yet to meet my reserve in action. I like the way you think. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Out of curiosity, why do you want a reserve that is 180-190 with a body weight of 130? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Clearly it depends on one's priorities. I went the opposite direction. I met a woman 26 years ago when she was making her 4th jump and I had a few hundred. She already had two kids so I went from single and carefree to husband and father overnight. Never once considered leaving the sport. Both of our kids are grown now and both have jumped since they were 16. Our son is a professional competitive skydiver and also competes at the national level in CP, so you can imagine the worry we go through on that one. Instead of biting my nails, I encouraged (ok, demanded) him to learn his CP craft well and he has. I lost count of the friends I've lost a very long time ago. I don't try to count any more. It's not productive. I can't bring them back, but I can learn from their demise and teach others to be as safe as possible. If I stop jumping I can't lead others by example, so for me the time to stop jumping will come when I'm not capable of doing it safely. Gravity always works and no one has missed the planet yet, but life ends for all of us in some way. In the wise words of Truman Sparks, I'd rather die skydiving than in some senseless tragedy. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

If he's at a non USPA DZ, he doesn't need to have a current USPA membership or instructor rating, nor would he need a medical, IIRC. What makes you think this persons medical isn't current? If it's the person you posted about in another thread, and I found the correct record, his medical is current. The medical used to be an FAA requirement. Not sure if that's still true. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I'm a "no messaging in meetings" person too, but this one seems on the line, not over it. It was also brought to my attention in a PM that this was happening after 11 hours of meetings, so I don't find it unusual that folks were anxious to communicate things they may have been waiting to get to outside the "official" meeting time. Not sure if it happens, but I would completely disagree with private communications of any kind going on between board members or with outsiders during the official proceedings. That brings on all kinds of inappropriate implications. It's true that the meetings started a 8 am that day and the GMM started at 7 pm. But what the person PMing you forgot to mention was that there was a TWO hour break (5pm to 7 pm) to catch up on texting and such. And there are many short breaks during the day. . That notwithstanding, my point was that the apparent messaging was happening outside the formal proceedings and after some hours of meetings. I think we're all splitting hairs a bit on this. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Yes, it is a serious liability. If you like your DZO you might want to tip him/her off to the issue. When I ran a DZ I kept copies of all rating holders' documentation to insure everyone was in date. The DZ I jump at now also maintains records on rating holders. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Wow Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Orrrrrr Don't push your agenda on those who won't jump without the added safety of an AAD. BTW, you parking spot analogy makes no sense. I don't have an agenda (I have AADs in my rigs). I am simply suggesting that your AAD being out for service doesn't have to stop you from jumping (assuming the DZ does not mandate AAD). My parking spot analogy was in response to "I am beginning to regret coming back to the sport mid-season. Should have waited I guess. " Everyone has an agenda. Based on your post and your reply to my post, it's clear that you agenda is to recommend that one need not curtail jumping while their AAD is out of service - since that's exactly what you said. My guess is you are willing to jump without an AAD if yours are down, otherwise I can only think you wouldn't have suggested it to others. If that's the case fine, but to suggest others do the same is complacency by proxy and that's bad form. MY agenda is to discourage people from suggesting that others who make safety-conscious decisions cut corners on them. You have your limits and you're welcome to live by them. David has his and I hope sticks to them. Regardless of where an individual draws their line on safety, suggesting they ignore it is the worst kind of peer pressure. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Orrrrrr Don't push your agenda on those who won't jump without the added safety of an AAD. BTW, you parking spot analogy makes no sense. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Been around for 29 years and never heard of such a thing. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

In fairness, jlmiracle mentioned in post #34 "Technically, the meeting was adjourned immediately because we lacked 10% of the membership. They just had Ed Scott do his presentation regarding membership numbers and financial information. Sorry I did not include this in the original post." I'm a "no messaging in meetings" person too, but this one seems on the line, not over it. It was also brought to my attention in a PM that this was happening after 11 hours of meetings, so I don't find it unusual that folks were anxious to communicate things they may have been waiting to get to outside the "official" meeting time. Not sure if it happens, but I would completely disagree with private communications of any kind going on between board members or with outsiders during the official proceedings. That brings on all kinds of inappropriate implications. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Hello Chuck: Thanks for the response, I assumed the very thing you brought up. If that's the case, why is everyone ready to lynch someone over the "Alledged" incident that took place involving Rich? I mean, if USPA members Really cared, why don't they get involved instead of coming to these forums whining like 2 year old girls? I don't get it. Shouldn't Parliamentary Procedure should be implemented instead of whining and crying in a sky dive forum, or am I full of it? Best: Richard Because the "everyone" you are referring to are actually just a handful of very vocal people, not the bulk of the membership. I assure you, 90% of USPA members don't know who Rich Winstock is, what occurred on his drop zone, or what USPA did or didn't do about it. Most members don't have a clue about things that happen in the sport unless it happens in their area, they see it on national television or social media - like the 2-Cessna mid air and the sweet 16 clueless chick - or read it in Parachutist. Hell, most members don't even read Parachutist beyond a cursory glance at the photos or to look for their name in the licenses and ratings section. dz.com contributors are far more engaged than the average USPA member and generally much more aware of sport and industry happenings, and I'm not so sure I would classify their comments as whining. Yes there are a lot verbal punches thrown in here, but a lot of that comes from passionate people who truly care and want HQ to care as much as they do. Some also want USPA to play sky cop, but that's not going to happen. If these passionate people want change at HQ, their best strategy is to get the members within their spheres of influence to vote during the BOD elections, and vote in a way that will create change. They should run for the board or find others who will with a platform of getting the old mold out and seating new directors with new ways of doing things (or in some cases, doing things the way the by-laws dictate). These folks might do well to create a multi-region coalition of candidates who run on a collective platform of changing the status quo at the head shed. Such a coalition might also be successful in seating new blood in National Director positions since an effort like that would include convincing members across a broad geographic area to vote for a select few candidates. I'm not kicking USPA leadership here - just suggesting some options for those who do. I've been around a long time and I can say for sure that the vast majority of the folks I've known at HQ have been great people who bust their asses trying to do a good job. Yes, there have been some major league blunders over the years, but I don't know of any large organization that hasn't had its share of those. And let's face it, everything's easy for the folks who don't have to execute the plan. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I'm calling "Foul" on this statement. If the members of the USPA, of which I am one of them feel so strongly about this incident/topic, call your regional director, attend a meeting. Raise some cane! If my numbers are half-way right, we're some 34K T/ 35K strong. If everyone is sooooo unhappy about this incident and hasn't made any phone calls, or attended a meeting, then stop the whining and crying. Christ sakes. We're the one who put the BOD where they are, they are elected officials, we are their constituents, they represent US. Ask them to do their jobs and we need to stop the complaining, and making rude remarks. C'mon, whuddya say? The truth is there really aren't very many members who know about this or many other incidents, nor do they care. Look at the voting numbers for our BOD. It's pathetic. Most USPA members only pay their dues because they have to and they get a pretty good monthly publication out of the deal. Take a poll around the drop zone. Unless the RD jumps there most folks won't even know who it is. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Unless the boogies have some really big planes or you are doing formation load big-ways, you shouldn't be in the air with many more canopies than you are used to. Even at operations with multiple aircraft running, the sky should only have 1 load at a time under canopy. As for things to prepare for - everything! You will be at new DZ's jumping with people you don't know. At the home DZ, you typically know who the knuckleheads are and what the bad people combinations are. You won't have that benefit jumping with strangers. Tips - Show up prepared. Check and double check your gear and gear bag for everything you will need several days before the trip. Have all your documentation with you. Bring extras like pull up cords, rubber bands, closing loops, etc. Pack a DZ travel bag with stuff like tape, a knife, band-aids, over the counter meds, etc. Always better to have it and not need it. Plus, when someone else needs something you'll be the hero. If the DZ has procedural info on its website, study it before you go. Get a DZ and aircraft briefing before jumping! Know the DZ layout and procedures just as you should before jumping at any new DZ. Fully understand the dictated flight pattern and landing direction procedures. Plan your outs preliminarily on the ground in case you need them. Get on the first load already having a loose plan "B" that you can work from when everything goes to shit. Get ready early. Get a gear check. Get another gear check. Be conservative - keep yourself on small, simple skydives at first, preferably with folks you know if possible. You will have a lot of variables to deal with so don't add to it by making overly challenging jumps. Self-supervise - at boogies people often let their guard down because they want to get on certain jumps, group, or planes. They fail to check winds or adhere to common sense concerning them. The fail to check out proper procedures for aircraft they have never jumped. They sometimes throw out all logic on best practices, and on and on. Don't be that guy. Watch out constantly for "that guy". Head on a swivel at all times. Be ready to make evasive maneuvers at every turn. If you identify problem jumpers, stay clear of them. Know your limits and stay within them. There are often opportunities to get on loads at boogies that may be above your skill set. The people you are with may not know your abilities so you need to be honest about them and be willing to turn down offers you aren't ready for. Others will respect you for it and you won't get hurt or be "that guy". Land out if the traffic gets heavy or on every jump if it keeps you in a comfort zone. A long walk back to the hangar is always better than a ride to the emergency room. Know that there will likely be some real screwballs around. Some are dangerous in the air, some on the ground at beer-thirty, and some that are both. Keep yourself safe and go home with a great "first" under your belt. One more thing. Buy your beer. Everyone's 2 favorite brands are free and cold. Have fun! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Well said. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I don't know about distinguished, but I wouldn't even consider taking a student up unless they can get it right on the ground. It would be a waste of the student's money and could be downright dangerous. Not sure how that instructor ever got the impression that was an ok thing to do. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I don't know the details of the situation you're referring to about Dennis, but is it possible that the difference between the two is that Dennis was exercising the privileges of his rating when an offense occurred (which I don't know to be the case) and Rich was not? In a related thought, is it possible that USPA isn't taking action against Rich because his actions at the time of the incident were that of an individual USPA member and not connected in a literal sense to his duties at HQ or his role on the board? Not choosing sides, just wondering. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I'm not so sure texting should be allowed during meetings. That's akin to holding private meetings between board members during official proceedings. Is that (private meetings) even allowed under Robert's Rules? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Two things to keep in mind when looking at canopies. 1. Canopies don't "age" as much as they "wear". A canopy with very few jumps that has been siting in a climate controlled area (a closet in a home) for a long time will be the same as if it had only been stored for a short period of time. When pricing, consider total jumps and condition more than age. 2. In direct conflict with the above statement, canopy design does change over time. There's a reason there is a Sabre 2. Manufacturers are constantly tweaking design, so often newer canopy models have superior performance, smaller pack volume, and other attributes than older models. That said, there's nothing wrong with a Sabre 1, but a Sabre 2 would be considered by most people as a better canopy. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

my first 'planned' comp there would have been in 1990 (or 91?) with a team from Coolidge two weeks prior I got bit by a rattlesnake and missed it - was crushed at the time, I really wanted to go Well then, have I gotta deal for you! I resurrected TeXXas 20-way 3 years ago. It is held at Skydive Spaceland now every June. This year we had 5 teams with folks from as far away as California. Scott Latinis' team "Sweaty Cleavage" from Dallas won, with Doug Feick's Austin/Houston team "Donner Party of 20" taking 2nd. In third place was the local Spaceland team "Your Whacker is Stuck in My Zipper". The event is growing and we'd love to see more folks travel for the meet. As many know, the competition is casual with the focus on camaraderie. Folks say it has one of the best vibes in skydiving. I would have to agree but of course I'm biased. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX