Tandem IE Thoughts

[skydived19006 4]

I just earned my Tandem IE last week. My primary interest is my own staff, and working with people I've known for quite a while, or from first jump. There will come a time when I'm working with someone I don't know. Granted, I'll be working with them before I'm in front of them, but the prospect is still a little unnerving. We all know skydivers who just should not ever be a tandem Instructor, poor judgment, poor skills, general idiot, etc. If it's someone I've never met, what to do? I guess that I could ask where they jump, then find (me find) a couple of folks at that DZ who could give me a reference? What's typically done?

Yes, something that I should have asked my IE Course Director. And, obviously something that I can still ask him. Just seemed like a good topic for this forum as well.

Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else.

AC DZ

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

If you don't think they're safe, don't let them jump.

[pilotdave 0]

I never jumped with the IE I got my rating from. He shot video. You can always find a bigger sucker to ride up front...

Dave

[lowpull 0]

Always go with your gut. There have only been a few that I knew werent cut out for it, and I am sad to say I was right. I tried even harder with them to try to get them where they needed to be too. Something Booth didnt mention when he was at mine was how terrifying it is the first weekend after you sign someone off, worrying "did I teach them everything?"
The written sylabus is ok, but I found myself teachinh what they really need to know in the real world, not 25 year old techniques.
Good luck, and try not to overteach the first few, and you will do fine. From reading your posts here fro tmie to time, you will make a fine I/E.

One thing that drives me batshit tho is when a candidate says" well on dropzone.com I read.."
Pretty much instant fail if they will give any sreious thought to taking the drivel that gets spouted here over someone they are paying to teach them to do the most dangerous job in the sport.

Good luck

Ralph Nichols

[skypuppy 1]

Strong, UTP or uspa?

If some old guy can do it then obviously it can't be very extreme. Otherwise he'd already be dead.
Bruce McConkey 'I thought we were gonna die, and I couldn't think of anyone

[douwanto 22]

+1
You will see this

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Pretty much instant fail if they will give any sreious thought to taking the drivel that gets spouted here over someone they are paying to teach them to do the most dangerous job in the sport.

( If they do not have enough respect and patients to listen and learn to what YOU are instructing them in they will hardly respect the job and all it entails.)

Also remember its your course and your standards.
You can require anything with in reason above the manufactures requirements. I like references for students I am not familiar with. From reputable DZO's or S&TA's just the same as you provided before being excepted into the TE course.

Even if they have ridden front before Take those you do not know as a passenger to get some idea of how they interact and their stress LVL.

This is a great way to assess how they perceive their own skills. A student that acts like they know it all will be a TI who thinks they know it all.

The skydivers you turn into Tandem Instructors will be a reflection on you and you will always look around to see if they are performing as they should.

Congratulations on your achievement.

Just my 2 cents.

Uncle/GrandPapa Whit
Unico Rodriguez # 245
Muff Brother # 2421

[riggerrob 643]

Yes,

Character evaluation is always the most difficult part of screening new TIs.
You could insist on letters of recommendation from other DZOs or instructors they have worked alongside.
You always have the option of setting your personal standards higher than the manufaturer.
For example, you could insist that coaches have dozens of teaching contacts before attending a tandem certification course.
Or you could insist that they work as a S/L or AFF Instructor (plus "X" number of students) before attending your TCC.

[tonyhays 86]

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You always have the option of setting your personal standards higher than the manufacturer

+1

Personally I think the number of jumps you need to have before you can be a TI should be 1000.

“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

[Heatmiser 0]

Were you at the I/E course run by Jay Stokes? A couple of our guys (including the DZO) just came back from the same course. From what I hear, Jay was very patient, and a great teacher. You should be able to contact him and bounce these questions off of him.
p.s. congrats on the pass!

What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo

Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama

[skydived19006 4]

Yes, it was the course last week by Jay (one Coach, two SL IEs plus me the "tandem guy". I know that he's always "there" to answer any questions, and I plan to use that resource!

Actually, I'm an Stunts Eclipse and USPA Tandem IE. I own four Eclipse rigs, and wanted the rating to grow my own Instructors (I know these guys!). I started with Eclipse because that's what I need, but can see getting the UPT ratings, and potentially Strong as well.

I also know that not going in front is an option, but not really the option I'd choose. If I'm going to turn them loose on the public, I should be willing to put myself in their trust as well (with Instructor handles).

Martin

Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else.

AC DZ

[Andy9o8 2]

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(with Instructor handles).

Weenie.

[skybeergodd 0]

Just one helpful rule that i make PERFECTLY CLEAR when I do a tandem course, #1 rule--they guy that throws the drouge is in control!!!
Basic translation--when I ride the front and the candidate screws up and I have to throw the drogue, the guy on the back is now the passenger, ALL the handles for the rest of the jump are now mine.
That is just one rule I have during my courses but it is my 1st and golden rule....before anyone asks, if the candidate throws the drouge and the canopy malfunctions on opening the rule then is TALK before you ACT. Tandems open high for a reason, use that extra altitude and talk thru it. I have had malfunctions while on the front and candidates have done just fine with emergency proceedures after we decided that a cut away was needed.

[douwanto 22]

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Weenie.

+1

Remember how you used to get that feeling in your stomach when you first started jumping????? Ride front without chicken handles when you want to feel it again...... Especially with someone you don't know.........on their first Tandem ................Thats when you learn weather or not you trust your own teaching skills and judgement.....LOL

Uncle/GrandPapa Whit
Unico Rodriguez # 245
Muff Brother # 2421

[feuergnom 28]

if my IE hadn't used instructor handles some years down the road he probably would be dead so much for "weenies" (even with a wink-smiley)

Personally I have no problem riding in front when doing refreshers or training with a future TI - but the handles are mandatory - at least in my book

The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle

dudeist skydiver # 666

[skydived19006 4]

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Weenie.

+1

Remember how you used to get that feeling in your stomach when you first started jumping????? Ride front without chicken handles when you want to feel it again...... Especially with someone you don't know.........on their first Tandem ................Thats when you learn weather or not you trust your own teaching skills and judgement.....LOL

You're simply taking options off the table. Just because the handles are there doesn't mean that I have to use them, but I do have the option if needed. We could jump with no reserve (though it's illegal), the main usually works, just like most TI Candidates are generally fine. I could trust my teaching skills, and judgment, just like I trust my packing skills, but I'm still going to carry a reserve parachute, and Instructor Handles.

Martin

Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else.

AC DZ

[pilotdave 0]

The last tandem I did (to get the USPA rating) was with my friend... Not only did she not have handles, but she didn't even wear an altimeter. I couldn't convince her to. I've ridden up front for a few people getting their rating or getting current. Done it with handles and without... but never without an altimeter. That's guts... or something.

Dave

[skydived19006 4]

After I'd broken my arm, and before taking students I took another TI up who generally works/jumps at SD Kansas. After practicing a few flairs with all toggles I instructed Jeremy to take his hand out of the toggles. He asked me to repeat that a couple of times before complying. I wouldn't have had a problem with him having his hands in the toggles, but the point was to "stress test" my wrist. He didn't like giving away the toggles, which from my perspective was funny.

Martin

Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else.

AC DZ

[riggerrob 643]

Agreed!
Strong Enterprises says that if you forget to install white handles - during training or refresher dives - you automatically score ZERO.