livendive 8 #1 December 5, 2005 QuoteSafety & Training Newsletter A Bulletin for the training community Vol. 5, Issue 7 December 2, 2005 Safety Day 2006 Start your planning early for USPA Safety Day, which is coming up March 11, 2006. Each S&TA is tasked with organizing Safety Day for the drop zone. USPA will soon provide updated materials that can help make sure the day is informative and helpful for both new and seasoned jumpers. Each S&TA should make sure that the drop zone participates in this important program, which most attendees find to be invaluable. The materials will be made available as a download at www.uspa.org. USPA will list each participating drop zone at http://www.uspa.org/safety/safety_day.htm . Send the name of the drop zone, the state it is located in and the date, if other than March 11, 2006, to groupmbrs@uspa.org or call USPA at 703-836-3495 with the information, in order to be included in the listing. Ches Judy Award USPA will again this year provide each drop zone with a Chesley H. Judy Safety Award certificate, which should be presented during Safety Day on March 11, 2006. The award was developed to honor the memory of Ches Judy, former director of safety & training for USPA, who was killed in a 1995 plane crash. Each drop zone owner or S&TA should select a recipient for the award who, in the past year through example, deed, training, or innovation, has promoted safe skydiving in a substantive way. Once the recipient has been selected, provide USPA Headquarters with the name of the recipient, the drop zone and a mailing address for the certificate no later than February 15. USPA will send the completed certificate, suitable for framing, at no charge. The information may be e-mailed to safety@uspa.org, or call 703-836-3495 ext. 314. Drop Zone Waivers Many drop zones have a waiver on file at USPA for student wind limits, water gear or use of non-rated jumpers to serve as Coaches. These waivers expire each year on December 31 and must be renewed annually in order to remain valid. The waiver request form is available as a download at http://www.uspa.org/safety/waivers.htm. The S&TA requesting the waiver should complete the form and send it to USPA Headquarters, where it will remain on file. The form can be mailed to USPA Headquarters, faxed to 703-836-2843, or sent via e-mail to safety@uspa.org. The S&TA will receive a confirmation letter, which lists the waivered items, on USPA letterhead for the drop zone records. Database Updates Due to technical difficulties, the USPA membership database currently includes data entered up to and including Wednesday, November 30. This may effect a small number of members trying to jump this weekend, who needed to renew their membership on December 1 or 2 in order to remain current. The database will be updated and current by Monday or Tuesday. This also includes the data listed in the group member online database. Don Yahrling Passes Away Donald K. Yahrling, D-4077, passed away November 23, 2005, of natural causes in his rigging loft on the DeLand airport in Florida. Known for his work as a parachute rigger, jump pilot, and AFF course director, Yahrling served ten terms on USPA’s Board and was president during his last term in 2001-2002. Few provided more attention to USPA’s safety & training programs than Yahrling, and he traveled extensively teaching skydiving courses at more than 125 drop zones worldwide. No funeral service announcement has been made yet. Skydiving Loses an Icon The world skydiving community truly lost an icon on December 1, 2005, when Mr. William H. Ottley passed away of natural causes. As a past USPA Board member, Mr. Ottley left the board to assume the reins of USPA as its executive director and served gallantly as “Mr. USPA” for over 14 years. His influence, dedication, and overwhelming support of USPA and all who knew him will be sorely missed. Memorial arrangements will be announced as they are finalized, and the family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the National Skydiving Museum, 1440 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA. USPA is seeking photographs and stories commemorating Bill’s life for use both in Parachutist magazine and for Bill’s celebration party. Photos for use in the magazine must be received no later than Tuesday, December 6. Send photos of Bill skydiving, partying or otherwise making his mark in the skydiving community. Include information on who’s in the photo, where it is, and whenever possible, the name of the photographer. Please e-mail 300 dpi photos and stories to communications@uspa.org, or send to USPA, 1440 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
