Letter from the Head of the FAA (May Parachutist)
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wolfriverjoe 1,340
Quote...I think the latter is more likely as I think the FAA cares more about us possibly impacting other aircraft in the air than us injuring and killing ourselves/other jumpers on or near the ground.
Bolding mine.
We've been finding some very creative ways of killing ourselves over the years and the FAA hasn't blinked.
When DZOs started killing a lot of jumpers in their planes, the FAA sat up and took notice.
When there were a few tandem incidents (paying public passengers) the FAA took notice really quick.
Even though there weren't any incidents, the wingsuit flybys of tandems that showed up on Youtube got the FAA's attention.
There was a Bandit Tandem Demo gone bad around here that got a lot of local publicity and got the FAA's attention. The FAA has since clamped down hard on Demo Jumps/Bandit jumps in this area (The FAA guy has stated that "any more than one person watching constitues a crowd and needs a waiver").
I don't think the FAA cares if we kill ourselves. They realize that's the risk we take.
But when we start taking others with us, even other skydivers, then they are going to notice.
And if we don't get the situation under control, and soon, then I do believe that they will.
"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy
"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo
"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo
Bolas 5
QuoteWhether you are aware of it or not every skydiver death adds to his bottom line of fatalities in the aviation world.
Which despite of these incidents has been on a decline on a per jumps/jumper basis for years as previously pointed out in another thread.
Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.
QuoteQuoteWhether you are aware of it or not every skydiver death adds to his bottom line of fatalities in the aviation world.
Which despite of these incidents has been on a decline on a per jumps/jumper basis for years as previously pointed out in another thread.
Bolas please...ya gotta stop mitigating/down-playing the seriousness of this.
Like I said in a prior thread, the recent incidents are now making news nationally. That shines a light and isn't a good thing.
This 'letter' isn't something you can spin into nothing to worry about.
It's a serious matter when, as I said earlier in this thread we get 'wake up' from the feds to our governing organization.
Surely even the most myopic ostrich can understand the status quo isn't cutting it as far as the FAA is concerned.
Yes there are many areas that should be addressed, we need to look at everything with a mind toward improvement.
However the items specifically addressed in the letter are flying fast canopies safely and aircraft procedures with regard to skydiving operations...THAT'S what needs to be addressed first and without delay.
This isn't something that will just go away if we ignore it, and the first step is admitting to ourselves there IS a problem, it's on the radar and we have been warned.
In bureaucratic language, looking at a problem with 'New Eyes' means THEIR eyes.... it's here & it's real.
No matter WHAT happens from this point on, life as we knew it isn't going to be the same...we have a chance now to spin THAT into a positive, OR we can stick our heads in the sand and wait for whatever someone ELSE decides is best for us.
~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~
QuoteQuoteWhether you are aware of it or not every skydiver death adds to his bottom line of fatalities in the aviation world.
Which despite of these incidents has been on a decline on a per jumps/jumper basis for years as previously pointed out in another thread.
I am beginning to think you really don’t get it. You can’t be that dense and still make enough money to jump so it has to be you just refuse to see the situation for what it is.
![[:/]](/uploads/emoticons/dry.png "[:/]"){kind=small}
Sparky
My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals
Bolas 5
QuoteQuoteQuoteWhether you are aware of it or not every skydiver death adds to his bottom line of fatalities in the aviation world.
Which despite of these incidents has been on a decline on a per jumps/jumper basis for years as previously pointed out in another thread.
I am beginning to think you really don’t get it. You can’t be that dense and still make enough money to jump so it has to be you just refuse to see the situation for what it is.
Sparky
I do see the situation for what it is. I see people using this as an excuse to further their efforts to ban HP turns and canopies.
Rather than unite and deal with the root causes: attitudes, lack of canopy training in the student program, lack of canopy training post student and refreshers, we're getting more divided.
Rather than look into all our internal issues (aircraft maint, jump pilots, cloud clearances, AFF and tandem, etc.) and see if there are trends up or just recent issues were anonomalies you just want to make changes.
I'm all for change, but it needs to be informed change with real data, not some group using fear to push their own agenda.
If the FAA starts asking questions and we can provide real data on trend analysis and what we're doing to reveres or mitigate more we come off as much more professional than just banning/creating new rules.
Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.
DSE 3
Quote
If the FAA starts asking questions and we can provide real data on trend analysis and what we're doing to reveres or mitigate more we come off as much more professional than just banning/creating new rules.
If the FAA starts asking questions (as it appears they already are), it may well be past the point of continuing more of the same; failed self-governance.
You "see it" as banning HP canopies and HP turns. I don't see it as anything of the kind. From my hilltop, it is potentially so much bigger than this...
QuoteI do see the situation for what it is. I see people using this as an excuse to further their efforts to ban HP turns and canopies.
And what I see is paranoia. If you are not part of the problem you have nothing to fear.
Sparky
My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals
Quote
We havent bounced one off an aircraft in flight since Otay 30 years ago right?
Wrong.
2005. Deland. Twin Otter jump plane on descent. Gus Wing KIA.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2005-04-24/news/0504240370_1_skydive-deland-sky-diver-wing
SCR-6933 / SCS-3463 / D-5533 / BASE 44 / CCS-37 / 82d Airborne (Ret.)
"The beginning of wisdom is to first call things by their right names."
"The beginning of wisdom is to first call things by their right names."
Have you had any dealing with the FAA in the past? Some of the people posting to this thread have contact with them on a regular basis and have a pretty good read on how they think and how they do things.
The head of the FAA is worried about all the things you mentioned plus everything else others have brought up. Whether you are aware of it or not every skydiver death adds to his bottom line of fatalities in the aviation world. When he goes before the Congressional Oversight Committee he can’t just sweep them under the rug. My guess he will do what he feels necessary to lower the total.
Sparky
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