matthewcline

Yes I took it and yes it was brought up. Hey Mods can the "Ratings have gone to hell in a hand basket" parts be split off and the incident left alone? or is it just way to much as it has gotten way off the path? I think this needed to get put out so that Ted and SE knows how we feel, that the I and the DZO made the mistakes and they should be the ones held accountable. Ted, Keep up the good work and I am confident in the end as tough as this is you'll prevail. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Shit, you had an AB? Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

21 Years as an Airborne Infantryman. Over all loved it. I met some great people and have some long lasting friends out of it. It also helped me in getting my two current jobs. Most importantly I met my wife while we where both stationed in Alaska. An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

The rules where ammended when it went from Experimental to Instructional in FAR part 105.45 (like previously noted US only). Now, the line says "Owner/Operator", of course in talking with all three current rig builders they all agree that the purpose of the systems is to "instruct" and they sell the systems as such. UPT even has a user agreement to help understand the rules you are to follow in use of the SIGMA and Vector II Tandem (I have not read SE or JS end user agreements). When Bill and Ted went to the FAA and asked for the exemption "Instruction" was a major selling point. Yes, those who are only checking off the things on the bucket list are the majority of Tandem Students, but they are still Students so why not TRY and teach them? Any way lets get back to the jumping part of our sport and leave the debating for the old rocking chair bound ones aye? Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Awesome! Now the only true advice to listen too, since this is a "starter" (although I did race one of these in WERA here in the "Colonies"). Riders Courses, Protective gear and good tires, those are key and the best way to stay healthy and happy when riding. Maybe this too, a friend used to take his brand new rides and knock 'em over in the drive way. I asked why and he said "This way when I ride I am not a pussy all nervouse about a ding, since it is now dinged and can focus on the ride and the asshats trying to run me over". Have fun, keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down! Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Yeah take off the tape and maybe about 8 inches unrolled. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

To add to Airtwardo's sound advice: WDI's in a Major City also shows the numerous "shifts" around buildings. These numerous shifts are refered to as a "Dog Leg" if it is one and some times Turbulance if it is many. The reality is the buildings act like a venturi and redirect aswell as channel the winds through the city, accelrating its speed as well as cause turbulance. So even though WX brief is "accurate" (wish I had a job where I could mostly be wrong and still get payed, too much), it is also only accounting for "open air". Do enough Demo's and there will be one or two where a WDI in conjuntion with WX Brief and D=KAV (a round days through back) will save the day. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Dooh! Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

I would handle the ones you didn't want but I am right there with you on all accounts (except my face is well known and not handsom) Seriously If the DZ saw an USPA or Manf, I/E "Inspector" might be showing up it may make a few I's and DZO's pick up the standards a bit. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

I think that is over complicated. IMO We go back to the BIC. And then the JM and I ratings in each Instructional Discipline. It worked! The only thing "we" (potential AFF-JM's) asked for was clarification in the AFF-JM Course Grading system. That was what should have been addressed, nothing more. I think (agian IMO) that if we had done that initially then we would have avoided this current argument. I also think we would see afew more DZ's still using SL and a few more SL-JM's out there (which I think was a good way to get some experience before AFF-JM). This "Old School" system worked pretty well and we only realy needed to update safety and equipment as things came out (like the AFF BOC that Mr. Nelson helped to facilitate if I am not mistaken). Coach should be for a portion of the Comp stuff, VWR, RW, CRW etc. etc. Again just my opinion. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

800'? why so high? Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

"And how you can fly them on a PPL!" That will be an interesting read and I am sure will be a hot debate here, again. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

OH the payed on commision assasins! Damn, they don't want to lose a meal off their table even if it is right by you. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Do you have a CPA with you at the Audit? Lots of the Auditors never prepared Taxes and do not know what is or is not allowed and a CPA usually slings the lingo well enough that as long as it is legal you get it, even gray area legal. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

I like the Coach Time in Rating Requirement, add a Mentor Signature for a number of jumps through out the year and I think we will raise the level of ability of our I Candidates. This would sort of mirror the old JM to I transition. I think that system actually made for better informed and better "skilled" Instructors. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

My Business Travels will have me near by several times next year if all stays on path. I owe you a beer or two any way. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

But where is that? Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Where are you dricing from? If your in AL maybe Emerald Coast is closer? http://www.emeraldskydive.com/ Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

There was a little tongue in cheek implied, based on a few other posts, but there is now emoticon for that. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Iwas kind of being silly since, I jumped into Panama myself. Staticline ops: last one Northern Iraq Freefall: well that is classified I am sure, but daily, maybe. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

We all get there eventually. I think Panama had a drop too. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

In the US. Jump School is three weeks. Week one is "Ground Week" Week two is "Tower Week" Week three is "Jump Week" Att the end of the third week and your Five jumps your qualified. It used to be when you graduated you where a "Parachutist" and "Paratrooper" was a title left to those who actually trained to jump onto a battle field (SF, 75th RGR, 82nd ABN, the 173, the 509th, the 508th, 501st, etc), now all graduates are called "Paratrooper", a PC casualty of the early 90's. Jump week usually goes day one 1 jump (Hollywood), day two 2 jumps (Combat Equipment one and Mass exit one), day three 2 jumps (mass exit one[smetimes wit hCombat Equipment] and one night with the whole package being the goal), day four chute shake out and clean up of TA's and day five Graduation. Of course weather and Fed Holidays do change this from time to time. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

Looked like Dana Bowman and his Purple Heart canopy with about a 2500~ square foot Drop flag. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

He also got a hold of the PRO Ratings Holder list and sent out some e-mails like this after his "My IndY 500" mailer. Sad to see that he has slipped from reality, it would seem. But to accuse the USPA and Army of these things is kind of assinine if he actually looked at the sports history I think he would find the Army has helped it grow and USPA is learning and working toward that end as well. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!

I have used all the methods you show, but prefer at least one person on the ground to grab the toggle I hand them and run quickly up wind with it. If I am not going to be met at the ground (for what ever reason) I will have the student sit down with me (we will land standing but not stay standing we will sit righ away) to avoid being the recipients of a "Pile Driver" and begin to collapse the canopy myself. Matt An Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!!