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Luigi Cani put on a canopy skills course this weekend and it was awesome. We focused on the basics, but Luigi was very flexible with the wide range of experience of the attendees. We had participants from 34 jumps to 1300. Luigi has spent a lot of time with his canopy piloting and knows how to share that knowledge; probably the best money I have ever spent in skydiving so far. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in taking a canopy course. We even got to see him fly and land the JVX 37' - WOW! I am flying a Katana at 1.6 and have had average landings. With Luig's help I had great landings all weekend. Luigi, you are an awesome person and I appreciate you working with us this last weekend. Keep it safe; Blue Skies! Eric

I have noticed there are LCD, Plasma, DLP, etc flat screen televisions on the market. I am looking at getting a 60", but I don't know which way to go. If anyone has gone through this process recently, I could sure use some guidance. Thanks.

F@*k My Life!!

Beat your ass, steinky bitch!!

Major, That was the reason for my post originally. I do not want to discourage someone with the talent and the right attitude. I see so many individuals who want to be an instructor for status and money. In my opinion, the coach rating is where you prove to an instructor examiner that you have what it takes to be an instructor. I am all about the standards, but attitude and professionalism takes the lead for me. By the way, the candidate in question completed his evaluation jumps on Wednesday. He did an excellent job in the air, according to his evaluators. He and I talked afterwards and he stated he was going to work on his interaction with students so he can become an instructor. So, all in all, no matter the approach, we have a new instructor in the making. Thanks fo rall the feedback, I truly appreciate the info.

The reason for the OP was because of the difference between coach and instructor. I like to see individuals who are good coaches become and work towards being effective instructors. We all need to start somewhere and that is what the coach is for. I do agree with a lot fo the responses so far; I alike to create a positive learning environment instead of a basic training facility. As an evaluator for the coach course, the candidate met the standards for the course, but needs to work on the instructor skills needed for later ratings. IMO the evaluator who provided feedback expected the candidate to be an "all out" instructor out the gate. I did provide the suggestion that I would continue to mentor the coach after the course was complete, because I feel they are a good coach.

I am looking for how some instructors or coach course directors would handle a situation with a student who is somewhat quiet. I was an evaluator for a coach course this last weekend. It was away drop zone and I was a visitor. There was a student in the class from my home drop zone who is very young, but very talented and intersted in being an instructor some day. I actually encouraged him to take the course so he could work on his skills and become an instructor in the future. He is somewhat quiet and lacks a lot of people interaction - more nerves than anything. During one of his evaluated teach backs an evaluator provided hi with great feedback on interaction with students and him needing to be more open and accessible to the student. He appreciated the feedback and contimued to work. At the end of the day, this evaluator and the course director asked to see the two of us. We were informed that there were issues with the student candidate and his teaching. The evaluator started to really go after the student explaining that if he didn't loosen up and become more of an instructor he would never make it. The course director followed by stateing "we will see how you do on your evaluation jumps, but if they are not good you will not be recommended for a coach." In my personal opinion, this was out of line and totally negative towards a perspective coach. I was involved in the end of day meeting because I am one of the senior intructors at the home DZ. Because I feel these two individuals were out of line, and in my opinion almost damaging to young skydivers, would it be appropriate to talk more with them as instructors? Or, since i was simply an evaluator, let them go with thier own training methods? I strongly believe that the coach candidate in question is a fine coach and will gain the skills necessary for a promising instructor ove the course of the next season or two. Hope this makes sense at all..

And all you guys wonder why people feel blasted and don't appreciate a lot of the feedback they receive in the forums.

I know this guy who thinks he is the coolest guy on the dropzone. Went from a SabreII 190 (blue and yellow) to a Stilleto 170 (white, blue, and pink). He is still not cool; can't play Wii either!!

We use an old version of a training video that has intro, exit, canopy, malfunction, and landing chapters. It is out of date with changes we have made to equipment and training. I am looking to see if anyone is using something newer.

Does anyone know where we can get a up to date, quality training video for the static line first jump course? The one we have is old and the task of updating it would take forever. Thanks all.