Ron

I am well aware of how the award works. And there was no long process needed to vet Douse, he had JUST been fined by the FAA almost half a million dollars. And my dues would not have to go up, raise the GM program fees. As for getting rid of the award, an award that means nothing is a waste of time. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

USPA Chesley H. Judy Safety Award The USPA Chesley H. Judy Safety Award is to recognize any current USPA member who through example, deed, training, or innovation, had promoted safe skydiving in a substantive way. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=121367;t=search_engine "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Because part of being a GM is 'free' listing on the website and the magazine. Being a GM is sold as being safer, yet the USPA can't actually make that claim because they don't check anything. Didn't stop you from defending it. And you said it was not a formal certificate.... That is pretty much exactly what it was. 1. USPA does not have 'Expert wings'. 2. The person signing an application is supposed to review the logbook and they are acting as the USPA. For the awards the person signing it has to be a regional or national director. License's also require the signature of a rated USPA member. Your knowledge of the USPA seems to be missing some very important parts. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Never said it was "free" said it was "low cost". You claim I "cut a few words" out of your post... You just flat out made up something I never said. The problem is they clearly care more about the manufactures and DZO's than the average jumpers. And they have you over a barrel based on the Group Member program. Again... When was the last time the USPA audited a DZ? Why did the owner of Lodi get a safety award from the USPA the very same year he was hit with almost 500K in fines from the FAA for not doing aircraft maintenance? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

GM program is a joke. The only thing it does is provide some low cost advertising and an illusion of safety. Ask when the last time a DZ was audited by the USPA. Ask why Lodi's owner was given a safety award the same year that his DZ was hit with a ~500K dollar fine for not doing required maintenance on his aircraft. And the USPA likes it because it MAKES you be a member of the USPA to jump at any DZ that wants the free advertising. See it ensures that people like you join the USPA. The USPA cares more about the manufacturers than the general membership and has shown that time after time. The manufacturers already have an organization in the PIA. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The class three medical does not protect people. LSA aircraft have been flying without a medical for 10 years now without a single accident due to a medical condition. The USPA kept the medical because UPT demands they do it. The USPA caved and supported UPT over the individual members. The fact that the EAA, AOPA have fought to get rid of the third class medical for ALL pilots is proof the third class medical is worthless. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I am a lucky man... She puts up with me "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You should see my wife..... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes, you may fly: A Balloon A Glider An LSA aircraft With a paying student without a medical. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.23 (b) Operations not requiring a medical certificate. A person is not required to hold a medical certificate - (1) When exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate while seeking - (i) A sport pilot certificate with glider or balloon privileges; or (ii) A pilot certificate with a glider category rating or balloon class rating; (2) When exercising the privileges of a sport pilot certificate with privileges in a glider or balloon; (3) When exercising the privileges of a pilot certificate with a glider category rating or balloon class rating in a glider or a balloon, as appropriate; (4) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate with - (i) A sport pilot rating in a glider or balloon; or (ii) A glider category rating; https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/sport_pilot/media/LSPBrochure.pdf http://www.pilotfriend.com/training/flight_training/faa_bal.htm "No medical certificate is required, but the applicant must certify that he has no known medical defect that makes him unable to pilot a free balloon." "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have been flying acro The pic is of my Citabria (7ECA) and Pitts (S1S - 200hp, symmetrical ailerons). Just sold the Citabria and now have a 180hp, CS, full IFR (WAAS), synthetic vision, auto pilot, RV6 "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

How about for people taking customers on rides, or is that what you meant? Anyway, interesting. I wonder what the root of the issue was for manufacturer's to require it. You are not required to have a medical to be a: Balloon Pilot Glider Pilot Light Sport Pilot You may take passengers (Light sport is limited to one passenger). You may also be an instructor for balloons, gliders, and LSA without a medical. So basically the same thing as a TI. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

That does not excuse why the USPA who is supposed to represent JUMPERS is caving to the manufacturers. I am working to change them. A majority of people don't realize that it is the USPA that requires a medical, when the FAA does not care. I hope you still have this lackadaisical attitude after you have to jump through some hoops to get a medical.... Let us know when they shove a camera up your dick for no reason. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

FAA says "master license". USPA does not have a master license. The FAA does not require a medical. The manufacturer requires it. You can claim that makes the FAA require it, but that is not true. The FAA does not care about a medical. This is something the manufactures have shoved down the USPA's throat, and the USPA happily swallowed. You're taking paying customers on a charter, what's wrong with requiring the Class-3 medical? I'm sure you've seen some of the cigarette smoking half blind usually drunk gas bags that have no problem passing it. The FAA does not require medicals for: Glider instructors Balloon instructors Light Sport aircraft instructors I have seen some drug addict, alcoholic, people pass it.... I have also seen guys that don't drink, don't smoke, and don't do drugs have to sumbmit to expensive testing to get a medical. For example.... I had a kidney stone once. The FAA decided I needed a cystoscopy. So I had to go pay for this additional test, that was not covered by my insurance. The AME, urologist, my PCP, and a buddy that is a doctor ALL told me that the test would show nothing... And that it was a waste. After the test, it hurt to pee for two days. So I paid 200-300 dollars for a test that everyone knew would show nothing and did show nothing and it was literally a pain in my dick. I have a buddy that had a stint 15 years ago... He could not pass a medical since Oak City required him to submit the serial number and doctors drawings of the stint... This was 15 years ago and the guy has made 3k jumps since then and builds barns. So if the alcoholic drug addicts can pass it... What good is it? If it makes people go through expensive testing for no reason (seriously, you think I would be skydiving if I had a kidney stone going?). Frankly, since light sport aircraft have been allowed, there has not been a single medical issue caused crash. It is a waste of time and money that accomplishes nothing but catering to the manufacturer and it is NOT required by the FAA. It is time the USPA supports the members and not UPT. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

FAA says "master license". USPA does not have a master license. The FAA does not require a medical. The manufacturer requires it. You can claim that makes the FAA require it, but that is not true. The FAA does not care about a medical. This is something the manufactures have shoved down the USPA's throat, and the USPA happily swallowed. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. The USPA does not issue "Master" licenses. They have not in 10+ years. They have a "D", but no where in the USPA SIM does that equal a "Master" license. 2. Medicals are not required by the FAA and have not been required since the Tandem experimental program has ended. 3. The FAA has no currency requirements. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Coke vs Pepsi. Some people will swear only brand "X" is any good and anything else is a waste of money. Next guy will say brand "Y" is the best and the rest are all crap. Truth is that suits are like shoes or a particular person of the opposite sex... You may love them, but someone else thinks they were a pain in the ass and hates them. Any major brand will have a good suit. I'd avoid new companies only because you don't know what you like or what to look for.... I have had Tony's, Merlin's, Michigan's, and a few off brands. Full disclosure, I am sponsored by Michigan. I think his suits are built well, and they last a LONG time. I have a suit from 1999 with 2K jumps on them and easily 50 hours of tunnel. My standard daily suit is from 2005 and I have no idea how many jumps on it or tunnel hours. The suit is still in great shape, except the black has faded from UV exposure. All that being said, there is most likely a reason why everyone on your DZ wears a particular brand. There are times that going with the flow is a good idea and this is one of them. When I was in Zhills, Tony Suits was right in town (now on the airport). It made getting measured and alterations done easy as heck. When I was on a team in DeLand, Merlin suits were right there and the service was good. Michigan once delivered a suit to me by his personal plane so I would have it for the weekend... Not the first time he did something like that. So I'd walk around the DZ and look to see who is wearing what. I'll give you an example... Someone here said the Tony Airspeed booties were the best. I HATED mine so much that I sold a brand new suit with fewer than 100 jumps on it because of them. It does not mean the other guy is wrong... Just means he liked them and I hated them. Opinions are not a zero sum situation. You can like Vanilla and me Chocolate and both can be correct. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes sir, you are correct.... I thought it was them but could not find one..... Just doing some research for a project and it was an interesting data point. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

That was not the one I was looking for, but it will do... Thanks. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Are you dead? No? Then you did not fail. Well, not to nit pick - but you are not doing it. And that is fine. This is not for everyone. Only you can decide if it is worth it, and only you can judge yourself for that choice. No one is going to beat you up for not doing this.... And anyone that is going to talk bad about you behind your back... Well screw them. What can you do? Well, identify WHY you have that fear. Maybe you just don't trust the gear, then learn about the gear. Maybe you are not 100% sure of the emergency procedures... So learn them better. Maybe you didn't totally grasp the exit technique, well..... Do it till you DREAM about the process. Most times fear is because you don't know something. So identify the ignorance and get rid of it. If all that does not work. Well Tandems to get rid of the fear and build trust. Maybe you need to change DZ's, maybe you need to change methods and go AFF. Maybe you need to change hobbies. Any and all of that is fine. Don't beat yourself up, this shit is NOT natural and fear is normal and healthy. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. You are not dead, so you didn't fail. You didn't meet all of the targeted learning objectives.... But you didn't die, so you did NOT fail. 2. Don't try to learn to skydive on the internet. Well meaning people will try to give advice, but you don't really know the issue (or you would not be having it), so they can't really fix it. And even if they tell you how to fix it, you may not totally understand it. Things like "relax" are good, but anything technical... Leave that to the people who have actually seen the jumps. Not saying anything about the advice given so far... Didn't read any of it, but you know nothing about the person giving advice. Some guy with 2 tandem jumps can come across as an expert, and the top competitor in the world might look like an idiot when he writes. BTW, you don't know me either... So take my advice and be suspect of it. 3. Know how many level 3's I had to do? No one knows, no one cares. For example, you don't know how many it took, and I don't care! 10 years from now when you have 2k jumps, you will not care either... Start not caring now, enjoy the ride. Wanna know how many L3's I had to do? I'll tell you in 10 years if you still care... And remind me, cause I will forget about it by tomorrow. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

There used to be a jump suit company that had a height/weight chart basically telling the customer if you were "X" height and "Y" weight that you should get F111, Polly, or Cordura. Anyone know where I can find that chart? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

FAA Part 105.45 is pretty specific that you have to have a "master's parachute license" and have been "certified by the manufacturer or tandem course provider", etc. Without your license and certification, you're violating federal law, not just some USPA rules. The FAA can take you to court and fine the heck out of you. USPA does not issue "Master" licenses. They have not for 15 years. So anyone with a "D" that was after the date they changed would be illegal according to the FAA. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Fact is the USPA should drop the medical requirement. But they will not because the USPA is beholden to the manufacturers. You don't need a medical to fly/instruct in a light sport plane. Under 1320 pounds, slower than 130MPH, one PAX You don't need a medical to fly/instruct in a balloon. You don't need a medical to fly/instruct in a glider. The FAA does not require a medical to jump as a TI. But the USPA requires it for tandems.... Yet not for AFF. If DUI was an issue, wouldn't AFFI's ALSO have to get a medical? Nope, the USPA only requires a medical for tandems because UPT demands the USPA do it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The PIM, riggers/coaches/other people will not be jumping the canopy. YOU will. No one likes to think they are below average, but half of the population is..... It is YOUR life on the line, YOU will have to land it off, YOU will suffer the consequences of a bad choice. In the end, only you can make the choice. But almost no one gets hurt from jumping a canopy too big. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Still does not show how GM DZ's are *held* to a higher standard. Why don't you tell us how you think USPA should audit or enforce FAA regulations. Still waiting for you to explain how the USPA membership means a DZ is held to a higher standard. But it would not be hard to hold a DZ accountable for say seat belt use or cloud clearance. Maybe threaten to take away the coveted 'Group Membership' you seem to think means so much. But they don't. So please, how is a group member 'held to a higher standard'? Maybe answer that question before you start trying to distract. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334