S&TA requirements

[tombuch 0]

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The rules are what they are, but I would have thought integrity was a more important attribute than any ratings held. Why does one NEED to be an instructor to verify that requirements have been met, except that it's a rule.

Integrity is important, and so is the respect of the jumpers.

The first responsibility of an S&TA is of course to be a bridge between USPA and the jumpers in the field, and that doesn’t demand instructor level resources.

However, an S&TA is also the bridge between students and the experienced world. He/she is expected to act as a mentor in support of this group at the vulnerable point when they move from being heavily supervised students to the world of self supervision. It really helps if the S&TA is experienced in dealing with students, and being an instructor provides the needed experience.

The S&TA is also looked upon as a safety mentor, and is expected to build safety training programs, most notably the formal annual Safety Day, but there can be other formal or informal safety events. Teaching experience helps with these tasks.

The S&TA is a mentor for the instructional program, and in this role serves as a bridge between experienced jumpers and the formal instructional rating program. He is expected to encourage participation in instructional programs, and to assist jumpers in developing the skills and earning their ratings. It really helps if the S&TA has been through the rating process a few times himself so he understands the steps, pressures, and unique benefits/satisfactions of teaching the sport.

As an S&TA I often get asked by students or recent graduates for my opinion about what an instructor has taught, or not taught. It helps to intimately know the program so I can better assess when instruction is off the mark, and when an alternate teaching approach or conflicting content is equally effective.

While many people think of an S&TA as a “policeman,” a successful S&TA will work to be a “teacher” first. It’s easy to be a badass and tell people what they can and can’t do, it’s much harder to build safe behaviors through awareness of the underlying issues. An S&TA who has experience teaching will be better able to fill this role, and will be less reliant on police-style enforcement.

Among the few actual authorities granted the S&TA by USPA is the ability to suspend an instructional rating for up to 30 days, although that suspension is subject to review by the Regional Director (Governance Manual 1-6.6b). It helps if an S&TA actually has the same instructional ratings and experience, so he is capable of evaluating the actions of other instructors within the context of operational requirements and limitations.

I said at the beginning that the respect of the jumpers is a key element of being an S&TA. At large DZ’s or those with a large transient population, its common for many of the jumpers on the field not to know much about the S&TA. In those cases respect can be derived from the formal ratings and the awards an S&TA holds. When I’m dealing with a tough situation and an unknown jumper, I can often begin a conversation with, or quickly sidebar to, a review of all of my ratings. It’s a good way to quickly let a troubled jumper know I have the experience, knowledge, and skill to assess the issue, and assist him in risk management. It’s pretty hard for a jumper to look me in the eye and say I don’t know what I’m talking about after I upload all the letters after my name. And, where that doesn’t help, I can quickly drop into a review of some of my foolish antics as a younger jumper. Been-there-done-that also generates respect.

So, those are a few of the reasons an S&TA should be an instructor.
.

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[stratostar 5]

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The guy I'm referring to has more 'political' skills than skydiving skills, I can see how the "I" could get waived. But he isn't anywhere near as dedicated at a Tom B. so I kinda wonder 'why' he would even bother?!

Unless it's also viewed as a step in the ladder toward CD~RD?

Sounds like someone I know who just got an S&TA
in the southern region, and at one time had all ratings, yet for the last 5 years has been a 4 way team weenie and has done NO,ZIP.NADA,ZERO student jumps or trained a class or any other of the requirements to maintain the ratings S/L-I AFF-I and PRO, yet some how during the last five years he has been able to get the ratings "signed off".
And more then one person(local s&ta,DZO) knows he has not maintained the requirements to keep the ratings.

Welcome to the USPA sign your check and papers get your glory award!

~

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[leapdog 0]

Thanks Tom. Everything I have read from you in this thread has made much sense to me. It helps when someone can translate a thought and the other side understands the meaning.

There are too many times all over these forums that questions aren't answered or speculation takes place. The hijacking of threads is rampid. Aregueing over opinions and such.

Everyone else that had input here has also helped. Gives me another angle to view from.

Gunnery Sergeant of Marines
"I would like it if I were challenged mentally at my job and not feel like I'm mentally challenged." - Co-worker

[SethInMI 174]

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Integrity is important, and so is the respect of the jumpers.

[ ...A bunch of S&TA responsibilities...]

Yeah, thanks for the post Tom. As a newbie, I appreciate your attempts at education.

You have a nice way with words, have you considered writing a book?

Seth

It's flare not flair, brakes not breaks, bridle not bridal, "could NOT care less" not "could care less".