KevinMcGuire 0 #1 January 31, 2005 Is this something any of you would be interested in. I was thinking about a week long intensive training course covering everything from basic to advance canopy and harness/container sewing techniques. I'll be away from the computer for the rest of the day so if your interested in this don't expect an immediate reply but I will get back to you later on tonight. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #2 January 31, 2005 Yes!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randomdude 0 #4 January 31, 2005 Oh Hell Yes, if I could work it around my job and the travel from here to there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cvfd1399 0 #5 January 31, 2005 Yes but what location>? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #6 February 1, 2005 Due to the fact that all my machines material and other equipment is here in Eloy then the obvious choice is here. The logistics of hauling everything some where eles is of course not practical. Off the top of my head I'm thinking that the best dates wouyld be at the end of march or early april. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #7 February 1, 2005 How long would the course be and what are you thinking as far as cost?______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #8 February 1, 2005 I'd definitely be interested...especially sometime in the winter...like now!MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deadwood 0 #9 February 1, 2005 Keep me in mind.He who hesitates shall inherit the earth. Deadwood Skydive New Mexico Motorcycle Club, Touring Division Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #10 February 1, 2005 I have not yet decided on what to charge for training like this but I think that the cost should be fair for everyone. I feel that the course should be no less than 5-7 days long consisting of 8 hour days of intensive hands on training. Here is what I had in mind. Customized training specific to the students needs meaning, training for the brand new rigger/ sewer just getting started, or for the senior rigger needing master rigger level experience for an upcoming master riggers test or for the master rigger looking to polish their skills and learn a few new ones. Training will begin on small individual test pieces before moving on to the real deal. I have many un-airworthy canopies and containers that can be used for practice and learning. Students will learn how to deal with the many challenges of performing basic or major repairs on canopies while the canopy is draped over all them just like it would be in the real world. Things tend to get a bit trickier when you’re wearing a parachute. I can design and provide project plans to students so that they can build a variety of items in the time they are here. This could also serve as a kind of final exam. The possibilities are endless. What I can provide is this. All the machines, raw materials, practice equipment, technical reference materials, contacts for material manufactures, instruction in sewing and (time permitting) basic sewing machine repair. There may even be a possibility to provide lodging in a rented house but that is not yet available at the moment. As I said before, I have not decided on a price but it should fair for both student and instructor. What would something like this be worth to you? What would you be willing to pay to gain experience of this type? I am open to your suggestions and look forward to hearing them. Kevin . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #12 February 1, 2005 The people that might need it most, like me, don't have the opportunity to travel that far. I have most of the skills needed but practice them very little and have limited access to commercial machines. But, since it's a part time activity I can't justify that much travel and time. In addition, most of what I'd learn I'd never use enough to stay current. Both because of lack of customers and that I usually send anything to tough to the manufactur. But, I'd like the knowledge. Might consider putting together a short course colocated with the PIA symposium but outside of our auspices. Maybe the week before and a second the week after to facilitate a multiple purpose trip. I was speaker coordinator and I may try to add this to the next symposium. We might even want to do it under PIA's umbrella. Many symposiums and expositions offer additional cost short courses for attendees. BTW the next symposium is in Reno NV. at the Silver Legacy Hotel/Casino. They will have a very large exposition center complete by then, (probably done now) and we may be able to offer facilities for short courses. I'd welcome this and any other proposals to take to the committee at the PIA meeting in Chicago.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brits17 0 #13 February 1, 2005 Kevin, Great idea! With enough time and planning, I would love to make it happen. Keep us posted on details. Thanks. _______________________ aerialkinetics.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #14 February 1, 2005 Hey Terry, I'm not sure if you recall, but last year I piched a very similuar idea to a few members of the PIA that over see these sorts of things and I received a less than luke warm response. However, I am still very interested in working with the PIA to make something like this happen. Has there been a changing of the guard at the PIA that would now make this type of training possible at the symposium? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #15 February 1, 2005 The problem last year was it was too short of time frame to organize and support. The contract was signed, (as it is in Reno), the plans were set, with the super bowl following us we had very little room for changes or additions, and we were maxed out on space on the third floor of a hotel. In addition we barely got this symposium off with the volunteers we had. NONE of us would have had time before or during the event to deal with addtional responsibilites. I still have several days worth of follow up work. No, we couldn't do it this year. Maybe we can in 2007. In Reno we'll be in a convention center with drive in access, much bigger than we need (although I don't know if we have it all), much more flexibility and time to plan. Doing this will require ADDITIONAL PIA member volunteers willing to take on organization and dealing with potential class sponsors/instructors. That is the big limit on what we can do. This symposium had a new chair, a new speaker coordinator (me), a new registration crew, a new exhibitor coordinator, new computer software, and NO ONE AV person. The chair, Pat Thomas, was reelected to chair 2007. Whether any of the rest of us will be on the team or not I don't know. Classes could be coordinated through PIA, colocated with the help of PIA, or completely independent of PIA. But Chicago in August is the time to plan it!I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #16 February 1, 2005 Oh Yes, I remember that now. I recall you mentioning many of those problems when we last spoke. I think we should discuss this more. Perhaps if I can establish a track record by holding courses before August of this year, I could present a well refined plan in Chicago pertaining to the logists, training methods, and subject matter that would best serve the PIA symposium and those who attend. In the mean time however, 2007 is a long way off. If there are enough potential students interested, I would like to hold the first class at the end of March. If interested, please send me a PM so we can work out the details. Thanks Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randomdude 0 #17 February 1, 2005 Kevin, I just started a new job that this might be sort of maybe kinda justifiable as training for- it would be sweet if I could get them to foot the bill for non-rigger me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #18 February 2, 2005 Sent you a PM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randomdude 0 #20 February 2, 2005 Lets make this happen. I'll take the next couple weeks to see which way the shit blows at work, and try to find how The Powers That Be feel about it. Kevin wants to keep class size small, but he needs enough live bodies there to make it worthwhile. I'm in if I can do it on the company, any other serious takers? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #21 February 2, 2005 heck, I'm not even a rigger, but I'd be interested, provided it was over the summer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randomdude 0 #22 February 2, 2005 Nightingale, word I had was late March due to real life commitments, with this becoming a more than once thing if it becomes workable *maybe*. I super really want to make this happen for a lot of reasons but can't afford to do it on my own because I be po. I guess I am the unofficial cheerleader for the class. Help me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
srg 0 #23 February 2, 2005 I'm very interested. I've been thinking of taking Sandy Reid's course at Eloy. This winter is too soon, however. I'm way overcommitted at the moment. Next fall or winter would be best for me. (Arizona summers don't sound very appealing.) Spencer "Be braver -- you can't cross a chasm in two small jumps." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #24 February 2, 2005 Quoteheck, I'm not even a rigger, but I'd be interested, provided it was over the summer. I'll be here in the summer and I should be available. If you would like to discuss it more feel free to give me a call. thanks Kevin (520) 705-9936 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randomdude 0 #25 February 2, 2005 kinda sorta floated the idea to the shop manager today and she was for it, now have to get upstairs to see things our way. I'd be shoveling $hit for a month of sundays to pull it off, but it would be worth it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
