chuckakers

The aircraft owner has no legal obligation to show anyone logs except the feds, law enforcement with a warrant, or the courts with a subpoena. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

http://skydivewings.com/contact-us/ Yep. Just pick up the phone. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

https://www.facebook.com/marsha.karpinen Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

There have been several revocations since I took a seat on the board in 2016. Also from same poster, different post: *** if USPA has revoked GM DZs for repeated violations, where would I go to look that up? Is there a public record of such decisions that jumpers could use to do a DZ "background check"? I know that the detail of disciplinary actions against individual jumpers is kept confidential. Is disciplinary action against DZs also kept confidential? Is there any place that it is available to the public? Or even just to USPA members? It may well be in the meeting minutes, I rarely read them line by line. Per USPA governance, the details of all compliance actions are strictly confidential to protect the identities of the accused, the complainant, and witnesses. Suspensions and revocations are listed in the board meeting minutes available in the "downloads" section on uspa.org. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

There have been several revocations since I took a seat on the board in 2016. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Trying to play me? I was just asking why a USPA BOD member was telling members to do the job of the USPA. Don't blame me you don't like me pointing that out. BTW, your trying to insult me has ZERO impact. Shame the USPA BOD has to insult individuals. I wasn't telling anyone to do USPA's job. As I explained, USPA officials are already on the case conducting an investigation in cooperation with other authorities. BTW, having the opinion that you are trying to pick fights is not an insult, it is an observation. I am entitled to my opinion and you are entitled to yours, so let's just leave it at that. If you would like to continue this conversation I suggest we take it to private messages and let this thread get back on track. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Huh, didn't YOU write "207-339-1520. Let us know what you find out." Trying to claim things you did, never happened? Maybe the BOD should not be telling the membership to do the USPA's job? Ron - are you ever done trying to pick fights? I simply provided a phone number and ask that he let us know what (if anything) he discovered if he chose to call. Nowhere in that phrase do you see me telling him what to do, nor was I suggesting he "do USPA's job". I think most readers also picked up on my sarcasm, but apparently you did not. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

207-339-1520. Let us know what you find out. LOL Perfect response. What, you don't think the USPA should be checking on an instructor they licensed at a DZ they approved via the GM system? They are, as they always do. You would think they would want to communicate that info to all the other instructors they certified. You know, instead of a USPA BOD member telling the membership to do the work. USPA will communicate the pertinent information to the professionals in the field, but waits for the facts before disseminating any information, as it should be. If something is an immediate safety concern (like an equipment failure that could be systemic) the information would be provided to the manufacturer and they would decide how best to handle the situation. That’s the manufacturer’s responsibility. I’m sure USPA would assist in disseminating information at the manufacturer’s request, but could be liable if information was released prematurely and found to be incorrect. Image the lawsuit if incorrect or incomplete information was released and it hurt the manufacturer’s reputation, cost sales, etc. As always, this fatality is being investigated by the proper authorities and a report will be filed with HQ through the proper channels. From there, the basic facts and analysis will be published in the Parachutist magazine incident reports. By the way, I wasn’t telling the membership to do anything. Everything that needs to be happening already is. I was just pointing out that if someone is hell bent to know things before the information is released, they have the right to inquire on their own. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

207-339-1520. Let us know what you find out. LOL Perfect response. What, you don't think the USPA should be checking on an instructor they licensed at a DZ they approved via the GM system? They are, as they always do. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

In most situations, USPA members and rating holders are not in violation if they are following the rules in the country where they are jumping. Cloud busts are a good example. In countries where jumping through clouds is legal, USPA members and rating holders are allowed to jump through them. How often do jumpers exiting balloons at DZs or Boogies in the US land off? It it normal or does the balloon pilot judge the winds in a way that allows landing in the same place as the other jumpers? I only have one balloon jump. It was incredibly memorable, maybe even a bit of history, but not at a DZ or a boogie I have personally never known of a balloon tandem in more than 30 years of jumping, so I assume it's rare. That said, I'm sure there have been some. As for landing off, I would have no idea if that's the norm or if launch points are calculated to allow for on-field landings. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

In most situations, USPA members and rating holders are not in violation if they are following the rules in the country where they are jumping. Cloud busts are a good example. In countries where jumping through clouds is legal, USPA members and rating holders are allowed to jump through them. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Don't worry - you'll get it. Remember, if skydiving was easy the boring people would do it and we'd go do something else. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Many young jumpers try too hard to get belly into the wind. Try not "pushing to the left". This can cause an over rotation on a barrel rolling axis. Instead, just step off the plane as you open up your left side to the relative wind. Stay relaxed, head up, pelvis forward, legs positive, and just slide off the hill. Disclaimer: Discuss this and any dropzone.com opinions with your instructor before applying. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Never bust a hard deck. Teach until they get it. Hone your observation and recall skills. Fly to the needs of your student. Be the fun. Never bust a hard deck. Oh yeah, never bust a hard deck. And by the way, never bust a hard deck. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Every generation of skydivers has people who "create" truth. Whoever taught you that either created that truth or was provided it by someone else who did. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Depends on license level. From the Skydiver's Information Manual... Minimum container opening altitudes above the ground for skydivers are: 1. Tandem jumps–4,500 feet AGL 2. All students and A-license holders–3,000 feet AGL 3. B-license holders–2,500 feet AGL 4. C- and D-license holders–2,500 feet AGL (waiverable to no lower than 2,000 feet AGL) BTW, here's a handy link for you - https://uspa.org/Portals/0/files/Man_SIM_2018_Rev1.pdf Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Must have. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Welcome to the family! The awards you are referring to are a way to recognize jumpers for reaching milestones. If the jumper likes, a presentation by a USPA board member, DZO, or family/friend can be conducted and a photo submitted to Parachutist magazine for print. Also, some people frame them for display. Just 988 more jumps and you get one too!!! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Maybe just quote the list of punishment actions that can be taken against GM DZ's. Surely just showing the membership what actions COULD be taken against a GMDZ is not in violation of 1-6. Have you read the USPA Governance Manual? The answer to your question and most others can be found in it. https://uspa.org/Portals/0/files/Man_GovMan.pdf Specifically, your question is answered in 1-6.4.C Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Me either... And I have looked. I am eagerly waiting for someone to answer what "teeth" have been put into the GM program. In accordance with the USPA Governance Manual Section 1-6... "2. To protect a member [including group members, emphasis added] who is wrongly accused and to protect the rights of all persons affected, members of the board of directors and USPA staff will refrain from discussing any matter relating to any alleged offense with any person not a party to the action and shall express no opinion nor make any statement concerning anything related to the alleged offense except as provided in Section 1-6. Any breach of confidentiality may be subject to disciplinary action under Section 1-6.4 B.9." Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

The USPA constitution contains the following references: The purposes for which USPA is formed are as follows: To encourage unity among all persons interested in skydiving...to promote and encourage the study and knowledge of skydiving among the membership and the public at large....to compile information regarding the science of skydiving and to edit, publish, and disseminate the same... Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

***The group member pledge is a joke and has been since the inception of the GM program - as is the program itself. USPA is supposed to be an organization with the following purpose (from uspa.org): The purpose of USPA is three-fold: to promote safe skydiving through training, licensing, and instructor qualification programs; to ensure skydiving’s rightful place on airports and in the airspace system, and to promote competition and record-setting programs. I don't see a damn thing in there about supporting, regulating, guiding or otherwise getting into the business of DZ's. The GM program should be scrapped where it stands. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Irony score 8? What training does USPA provide the US parachute team? Derek V No irony at all. You can't fix things from the outside, and since that post long ago there has been some teeth put into the program and the pledge. Is it perfect? Nope. Am I taking an active role in improving it. Yep. When did you say you are running for the board? You seem to have a lot of thoughts on how to do things better. Why not become part of the solution you insist upon? As for your question, here's a possible answer. Years ago when the only competitions were style and accuracy, "coaches" were selected to work with our athletes to train them. I can't tell you if funding was ever provided to these coaches, but they were selected by USPA - presumably as part of the charter. The coach slot still exists and is sometimes filled, but is most often used as an assistant team manager slot. For the record, team managers are now selected by USPA and coaches are typically selected by team managers and approved by the committee. BTW, coaches are not paid for their efforts nor do they receive funding. I can't speak to how things were done years ago, but that's how it's done currently. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Bill, I don't know the history so I can't speak to that. Maybe there was a time when USPA (PCA) paid for coaching, jumps, or other things for the team. If any old-schoolers can chime in with FACTS on USPA's financial support of the team way back when, please do so. What I can say for sure is that USPA does NOT provide team funding in any way today. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Then I am surprised I had to quote it to you. ***Note that it says nothing about funding. Notice it says TRAIN? You can try to explain it away, but it says TRAIN in plain English.... See attached. You have a nice day. Lol, Ron you didn't have to quote it to me. As I said, I am familiar with USPA's charter. I'm not explaining anything away because there is nothing to explain away. You are stuck on the word "train" to mean that USPA funds that training. We do not. Not sure how many ways I need to say it - USPA provides NO funding to the US Parachute Team. If you question the accuracy of my statement, feel free to call Executive Director Ed Scott. I'm sure he will be glad to confirm what I am saying. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX