Deisel

If the IRS can push back the tax filing deadline, i would think that USPA should be able to find some flexibility as well. All I'm saying here is that there isn't a chapter in the governance manual that covers pandemics. And this is happening right in the middle of our pre-season. Right when lots of folks are typically getting ready to get back in the air.

Has there been any discussion of rating renewal extensions? Some of us haven't jumped all winter and can't get current due to the virus lockdown. It would make sense to me to push the deadlines a few months until this thing is under control.

Outstanding article and great job Danielle. Many of her sentiments are shared by skydivers of color. And (almost) any exposure for our sport in a mainstream rag is a good thing. Love to see efforts like this that can not only promote positive skydiving images but bring our community even closer than we already are. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/sports/sky-diving-african-americans.html?fbclid=IwAR1QR976_7A_Zk-BxMEOv_tL6ZUmxLvUcg3SG-6-ZaU_yx-hTNIcsZs4P1Y

Bitburg is good to go. Great people running the place and they take care of jumpers. Yes, it's more tandem than fun jumpers. But it's a 182 DZ that's upgrading to a Porter this year. It's worth stopping by and seeing for yourself.

Lots of USPA members support this project. The BOD is representing everyone, not just the folks complaining about it. It's easy to complain, much harder to get things done.

I'm looking for recommendations for DZs to visit. I'll be in Germany for the next year or so and I'd like to see and jump Europe as much as possible. I just had my gear shipped over and I'm ready to get in the air. I don't know squat about the skydiving scene out here and would appreciate whatever info might be useful. I'm about 5 hours away from Pink Klatovy and so far it's the only place on my list to visit. So any recommendations would definitely be appreciated!

Martin, I believe that there's value added when the BOD gets out among the members. Having the meetings across the country gives us the opportunity to attend in person when they are in the vicinity. Personally, I'm not too concerned about the costs. They do a decent job of regulating spending and there aren't a lot of frills. After all, these guys and gals are working on our behalf. Shouldn't there be some benefit to it? If the whole thing sucked, who would ever want the job? Louis The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Maybe there are several TIs filming each other's exits. It would work for everyone except the last guy out. Just a guess. The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Do you have any facts or details to go along with all of this generality? Exactly what problem are you addressing? Exactly what solutions are you proposing? Have you ever dealt with another country's skydiving laws and requirements? I'm currently in Japan. Based on my experience, the USPA makes skydiving much easier than what I've dealt with in other countries. The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Never been ramp checked, huh? Yes, the FAA will levy fines and pull licenses. UPT and USPA will revoke ratings. And FYI - WE are a SELF governed body. By policing ourselves, we keep the FAA and other government entities out of our business. Examiners, S&TAs, RDs, NDs, and DZOs are all part of a system that is only as strong as it's weakest link. D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Not necessarily. The rig owner can perform most examiner functions. Its a loophole id like to see UPT address but none the less, it does exist. D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Report it to your regional director, Jim Crouch at USPA, and Tom Noonan at UPT (assuming that they are using Sigmas). They will investigate it. The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

I second that - Sinclair is a PIMP! Bill Morrissey Bill Booth Derek Thomas - if you don't know, look him up. D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Most competent coaches should be able to train you in 1 jump. Not to perfection of course, but to meet the standard. So doing extra jumps in order to train the skill should not be necessary. Once you have completed the training I would recommend continuing to jump with coaches and small RW groups. Doing solo jumps will not allow you to judge things such as fall rate and level adjustments. Get video as much as possible - its a great teaching tool and allows you to see exactly what you are doing up there. D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Good point, but the midshipmen and cadets have summer training requirements that are non negotiable. Take them out of the mix and the event goes away all together. It looks like poor choices all around. D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

It depends. Mostly yes, but it depends on the person reading it. USPA requires signatures to verify jumps, which most digital logs such as altimeters, protracks, etc. can't accommodate. But there are phone apps that offer the feature to sign jumps. But at the end of the day, it's up to whoever you're presenting it to. I've used my phone app for years now and have never had an issue. Any log electronic or written, can be forged. D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Hey bud, let's think this one through. In order for there to be a rating system there would have to be research and development. They would have to figure out what combinations of equipment protects the body under what conditions, etc. You can already easily drop $300+ on a new helmet. Its anyone's guess what the costs would balloon to after a few months of lab & field tests. And it would require that someone invest up front before ever selling a single helmet to cover the costs. You got some spare cash to donate to research? I don't. And them come the lawyers as soon as someone gets hurt while wearing one... And exactly what are you looking to protect yourself from? If any of us bounce, there is not now, nor will there ever be, a helmet that will save your ass. I've been kicked in the face, kneed (almost passed out) in the head, head to face smash by tandems, etc. Yes a helmet helps and I wear them most every jump. But they only go so far. And please lets not even begin to discuss having the FAA get involved. I won't call it stupid but its damn close. D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Skydiving helmets are NOT rated in any way for anything. Yes, you should visit a local gear store and try them on as they all fit a little differently. And consider that even though you don't plan to use an audible at the moment, you may want to have the option later. Helmets, especially a full face, are quite expensive. D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Steve Hetrick at Skydive Orange, in Orange Va. He has a regularly scheduled course in April but will run one for you by request. PM me if you need more details. D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Any airplane specific concerns. I'm Reminded of the incident in z hills where jumpers who were not familiar with the skyvan door broke it. It fell off the plane on jump run. The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

One of my pet peeves is telling a student that they are cleared to self supervision. I believe that this particular wording is abstract at best, and flat out incorrect at worst. I tell them that they are 'self supervised', but not really. The wording should be more clear. A student is never self supervised. Per the SIM, student training must be supervised by an appropriately rated instructor. How is this SELF supervision? Telling a student that they are self supervised implies that they can do whatever they like. When in truth (IMO), they should be discussing every jump, at least in passing, with an instructor. I believe that this leads to a couple of negative outcomes. Less respect for coaches, students on jumps beyond their experience level, and wasted time, money, and effort punching holes in the sky, are a few that come to mind. At the next BOD meeting I'm considering offering a proposal. Rename 'self supervision' to something that is more descriptive of what is actually taking place. Call it 'reduced supervision', 'coach supervision', 'post AFF status', or something. Thoughts/opinions? Flame on! D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

I've bought a couple items from him with no issue. Always on time and as advertised. The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Eventually, all business will be conducted electronically. I'm of the opinion that it's generally better to dictate the terms of change rather than have them dictated to you. Besides, if banks can figure out how to protect trillions of dollars I think we can come up with a system that maintains the integrity of a logbook. The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

With all of the new technology out there, has anyone come across an electronic version of a riggers's logbook? Is there any FAA rule that would prohibit the use of one? D The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

Don't get too complicated and increase the likely hood of it not working. BFR with your friends and have a beer after. The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.