leroydb 0 #1 December 1, 2004 What are your thoughts? Edit to add: What would you do if you knew of a DZ that commited such an action? Edit to add even more: This is not calling out any DZ's... It is just a poll so don't get your panties in a wad.Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #2 December 1, 2004 here the age fixed by the DZ is 12 years old... For commercial passengers... already videoed a 7yr orld on his 2nd jump, the previous one he was 5 but his daddy was flying the tandem.scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #3 December 1, 2004 Not sure why you would have a problem with that AT ALL LeRoy, since you know good and well how old that movie star's daughter was when you asked them to show up and jump. That said, our dropzone is going by the new USPA guidance and yes, we are jumping 16 year-olds. If you are talking even more underage than that, then I will also say that I, personally, would not have any problem at all taking anyone large enough to fit in my tandem harness properly, regardless of age if it were for a relative or good friend. Once again, that's just my stance as someone who owns his own tandem rig and is man enough to take full responsibility for the liability. Jumping my young neice and nephew (who's parents also jump) with my gear out of my family's airplane onto our private property simply didn't bother any of us. That said, I would not consider taking anyone commercially who did not meet basic USPA guidelines (16 years old now). Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #4 December 1, 2004 For liability reasons I will not take anyone that can't sign a waiver. I have refused underage tandem students. It has nothing to do with my confidence in my abilities....But in case shit happens, I have enough assests that I would like to keep."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #5 December 1, 2004 I'm with you there. I took my daughter for her 1st Tandem when she was 8. She'd grown up on the DZ and had been keen for years. The date my ex and I decieded on was 7, but she was quite tiny so we waited another year for her to fit the harness a bit better. We have no minimum or maximum age limit here. Depends on the situation. I have taken lukemia kids through the "Reach for a dream" foundation. Bottom line is - they're never going to make it to the age when they can sign a waiver. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverton 0 #6 December 1, 2004 No rules here in holland. 1) Harness shall fit proper!!! 2) Parents dhall be informed that skydiving is much more exciting than driving a car My youngest passenger was a 10 year old boy. He only had fun, not scared at all. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Using your droque to gain stability is a bad habit, Especially when you are jumping a sport rig Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #7 December 1, 2004 I'm no instructor, but I'd say it depends on both the maturity of the kid and who the parents are. They're the ones that can cause you the most trouble. You better trust them as much as they trust you. I took my first flying lessons when I was 11. Gliders can be soloed at 14. I soloed a plane at 16. And I've never signed a waiver to fly a plane. If it wasn't for liability issues, I'd have no problem with younger people doing tandems. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WILDBILLAQR 0 #8 December 1, 2004 Our DZ limits to 18 yrs. except in certain situations. If the kid has been around the DZ a few years, is heads up to what is going on, and has parental permission, then maybe. My son has been flying planes since he was 12 and will have his license in 2 months, all the TI's have said they would take him, the DZO says it would be fine, mom says NO My daughter who is 1 year younger (15) is around the DZ more than my son, is not mature enough and I say NO!---------------------------------------------- "Thats not smoke, thats BUCKEYE!!" AQR#3,CWR#49 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #9 December 1, 2004 ...just making a pollLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,397 #10 December 1, 2004 1. I have a contractual agreement with the Tandem manufacturer not to take anyone less than 18 Y/O on a tandem jump. 2. FAR 105 states that I must comply with the Tandem Manufacturers instructions on its use and I was instructed not to take anyone less than 18. 3. The State of Oklahoma will not allow parents to waive a minor's right to sue.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smsthilaire 0 #11 December 1, 2004 Hi everyone, I live In Quebec, Canada and here it's allowed with the signatures of both parents. Here are the photos of my son Alex who's 9, making his first tandem jump last august, with me on the left, exiting the plane and then I went flying on my back, it was awesome I was able to tell him how much I was proud of him and how much I loved him in freefall. The other picture is my PRINCESS Gabrielle 7 1/2 with my wife on the left doing the same thing. By the way your kids all look fantastic, as I always say the only thing that beat skydiving is being a parent. This was such an exciting day. p.s. They've also made 8 min. each at Skyventure Orlando last july.I don't fear dying... I fear not living! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #12 December 1, 2004 look at their expressions, looks like she loved itLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smsthilaire 0 #13 December 1, 2004 Quotelook at her expression, looks like she loved it They both loved it, and asked us to jump from a balloon next summer. I don't fear dying... I fear not living! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #14 December 1, 2004 get some video if you can! i am sure dave wouldn't mind you posting it to his video serverLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #15 December 1, 2004 QuoteThe State of Oklahoma will not allow parents to waive a minor's right to sue. Yeah, this is where I have a problem in Cali, too. Anybody under 18 cannot enter into a contract, unless they are an emancipated minor. So they cannot be bound by a waiver, and the parents can't waive the rights of the child. Wierd, come to think of it. I soloed a glider when I was 14, and a Cessna when I was 16, so I wonder how the flying schools get around the liability issue? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #16 December 1, 2004 Quote***... Wierd, come to think of it. I soloed a glider when I was 14, and a Cessna when I was 16, so I wonder how the flying schools get around the liability issue? how often do people get hurt on gliders vs tandems? I would think either number would be VERY low in any case...Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smsthilaire 0 #17 December 1, 2004 Quoteget some video if you can! i am sure dave wouldn't mind you posting it to his video server I'll try to work out something. Thanks,I don't fear dying... I fear not living! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smsthilaire 0 #18 December 1, 2004 The laws in Canada are very different (which isn't always good) on that topic. And my thoughts are since my kids watch us jump every week-end (we have a camper at the DZ) they had the right to experience it for themselves. I know my kids, I never proposed them, they asked me. My wife and I had a long conversation with them prior of accepting. You know, both my kids compete in Moguls(ski) and I'm sure they'll get badly injured at least once. It's hard to evaluate the risk, but at least since they have both jumped tandem, the sky is no longer their limit in life.I don't fear dying... I fear not living! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #19 December 1, 2004 Quote2. FAR 105 states that I must comply with the Tandem Manufacturers instructions on its use and I was instructed not to take anyone less than 18. Hi Keith . . . Since it is always good to review the FARs, I just reviewed FAR Part 105.45 "Use of tandem parachute systems." I do not see your statement anywhere. Can you please elaborate on the portion of FAR Part 105.45 you interpret as meaning ". . .I must comply with the Tandem Manufacturers instructions on its use . . ."?Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #20 December 1, 2004 I would say no, with exception to certain circumstances - e.g. make a wish foundation, near adult kid (14 or so +, obviously judgement call here) terminal patient that is not expected to see adulthood, etc.----- ~~~Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bizzylizzy 0 #21 December 1, 2004 I think its really up to the parent and the kid. We put two four year olds up last summer and in the video they both loved it (I think the parents were more scared on their jumps). I know four is young but they were the right size and wanted to do it.Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. -Dave Matthews Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smsthilaire 0 #22 December 1, 2004 QuoteI would say no, with exception to certain circumstances - e.g. make a wish foundation, near adult kid (14 or so +, obviously judgement call here) terminal patient that is not expected to see adulthood, etc. I understand your point and respect it. But I think we as human have a tendency to speak of the future, you know the future is tomorrow and we'll never know what's going to happen to us. A good friend of mine died 2 weeks ago in a car accident coming back from work... he did'nt see his future.I don't fear dying... I fear not living! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #23 December 1, 2004 In Texas it's a liability issue. Can't sign away a juvenile's rights even though there is at least 1 that I know will take 16 year olds. It's just a lawsuit waiting to happen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justaflygirl 0 #24 December 1, 2004 My opinion, if they are NOT the son or daughter of a TM then it should be the legal age that the BSR's reccommend. If it is a TM's child, then it should be up to the TM, after they are very well trained and are completely aware of the risks. My 8 and 6 yro cant wait to go, we are just waiting for the harness to fit a little better, and yes, thier daddy is a TM! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #25 December 1, 2004 QuoteWhat are your thoughts? Edit to add: What would you do if you knew of a DZ that commited such an action? Edit to add even more: This is not calling out any DZ's... It is just a poll so don't get your panties in a wad. There's nothing wrong morally if they fit the harness. Legally it's not a good idea in states where parents can't sign away a minor's rights to sue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
