BIGUN 1,409 #1 September 4, 2004 Chris N. asked for information in his commentary this month. I must admit to having the same conversation with Bill N (www.scr-awards.com) administrator regarding awards. Bill designed some new awards that freeflyers and formation flyers could earn together. There was a time when these awards were actively sought by skydivers, but over the past few years, less and less awards are being applied for. Chris is asking for your opinion on the direction of the future and what you would like to see (if anything at all). Are there awards that you think may have value and that skydivers will attempt to achieve? Is it time to think outside the box? Is there personal value in these awards? Share your opinion. Edited by request of the original poster to make the Subject line more specific. -SP-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
f1shlips 2 #2 September 4, 2004 I'm really not into awards. Come to think of it, I'm really not into licenses either. I'd rather see the USPA learn how to spell my name right or at least care when I ask them (loudly) to correct it. How do you mispell a name (two years) in a row that was submitted electronically? Anyway, I'm done hijacking...-- drop zone (drop'zone) n. An incestuous sesspool of broken people. -- Attributed to a whuffo girlfriend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #3 September 4, 2004 Given that most of the awards were instigated when it was actually difficult to get jump numbers up. and prior to video aided coaching. I reckon new awards should be adopted, but also some older awards maintained with some tweeking.Like making the Star Creat a 3 or 4 jumps requirement, where you have to consisitantly show competance in docking 5th or later in an 8 - 10 way (which is similar to our Star Crest in Oz). The awards should require a degree of dedication to acheive, not just lucky on one dive.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #4 September 4, 2004 I am all about tradition. I say keep the awards as they are and charge a reasonable price for each one. I have a collection starded already, up to DDW & 48Hr Badge. I'd like to see them continue for myself, others like me wo already have the momentum started, and those who have yet to earn theirs.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #5 September 4, 2004 Quotesome older awards maintained with some tweeking.Like making the Star Crest a 3 or 4 jumps requirement The Star Crest is not a USPA award.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewcline 0 #6 September 4, 2004 John, I agreewith your first post on the Freefall and Jump Badges. Many of my teammates are trying to hit those goals as it is still significant even in this day andage of turbine aircraft and 365 day a year DZ's. MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #7 September 6, 2004 First, your non-specific thread title isn't going to attract the attention of many of the people that actually have something to say on this subject. Here are the e-mail comments I sent to USPA regarding this issue: These comments are regarding Chris Needel's "Capital Commentary" remarks about the U.S.P.A. awards programs in the Sept. "Parachutist". I don't care for the "bird" awards for RW formations, which were only created to supplant the privately run SCR/SCS awards. I also don't care for the "hours of freefall" awards. Since virtually everyone does long freefalls, and there is a direct correlation between jump numbers and freefall time, these are redundant with the "jump-number" awards. That wouldn't apply for CRW, but the dawgs don't have any "hours of canopy time" awards, and they aren't complaining about it. There are many different ways to exercise our skills in this sport, and the only thing in common with all of them is: jumping out of planes. Thus, jump numbers should be the primary basis for awards, regardless of whether the jumps were made for RW, CRW, VRW, pond-swooping, or whatever. If there are too many awards, and they are too easy to get, then they become cheap trinkets, without much meaning. The only awards I care for are the "wings" given at 1,000-jump intervals. It takes me four to five years to make 1,000 jumps, and it gives me a long-term goal to shoot for, which isn't easy to achieve. This leads to a real sense of accomplishing something special, and pride in the award. Charge me a fair fee for it if you have to, but don't eliminate it.Look at it this way: When you are first starting out, you have goals and awards for A, B, C and D licenses. That gives you frequent reward feedback up through 500 jumps. Then another 500 jumps later, you get Gold Wings at 1,000 jumps. At that point, you should be seasoned enough that you don't care for trinket awards, except at additional 1,000-jump intervals. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverton 0 #8 September 6, 2004 I don't care about awards. I want to jump for FUN. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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
tbrown 26 #9 September 6, 2004 No option for just leave things they way they are ? Phooey! Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #10 September 7, 2004 QuoteFirst, your non-specific thread title isn't going to attract the attention of many of the people that actually have something to say on this subject. Thanks! Keith agreed and the post now has a more specific subject line! Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #11 September 7, 2004 QuoteQuoteFirst, your non-specific thread title isn't going to attract the attention of many of the people that actually have something to say on this subject. Thanks! Keith agreed and the post now has a more specific subject line! Thanks for the change! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #12 September 7, 2004 I'm one of the people who has no interest in an award. In fact, I don't understand the point in the first place. What do most of these patches say that my log-book or jump-companions couldn't tell you except that I spent $15? It says nothing of my current skills, just that I did something. And what does one do with these patches and buttons? I don't even know what I was supposed to do with the golden membership card that came with my lifetime membership, but it sure does make a fine shoe-horn. I do understand that some people do like these patches and like to adorn their gear bag or log book. I'm just not one of them."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #13 September 7, 2004 I like them, I think they're great, don't see anything wrong with continuing them and charging a small fee for them.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
