MikeTJumps

Well Tom, you've got a right to disagree, but without coming to the BOD meeting and/or making your point of view known (in advance if you don't come to the meeting), you will have to accept the fact that there were at least eight people in the S&T committee meeting room and several observers that discussed the pros and cons of the decision in depth and that the whole BOD voted on the issue in a manner that the motion passed. Yes, in a perfect world, there would be no problem. As the sport evolves, the BOD tries to move with the demand of the members and I believe that is what they have done in this instance. Several waivers have been granted concerning this issue in the past, and as those waiver requests increased in number, it became obvious to the S&T committee that the issue needed to be addressed with a rule change. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

It is a "D-license holder." The jumps were not the criterion and the S&T committee apparently thought there would be a minimal concern since everything is still done under the overall supervision of a properly rated instructor. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Thanks for the correction, Mike. As usual, I miss some item or two and you've caught one. I would amend it in my original posting if I could, but it doesn't seem to have that option available. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

This is by no means a complete rendering of what occurred at the BOD meeting. I have tried to be as accurate as possible, but I might have an error or two in the text. For complete and accurate details, you can expect to read the minutes of the meeting on the USPA website in the near future. This is just a listing of things that I observed and felt were important to get out to the field through this media. USPA BOD meeting, 2/17/06 CTO by Glenn Bangs at 9:03 a.m. Agenda motion moved and accepted. Minutes of the July BOD meeting were approved as amended. Introduction of the gallery and the BOD members Membership 31,276 total, 4,187 new Renewal rate 85/5 Temp. 2,540 TIM to Reg. 546 Demo Ins. Policies sold 302. Membership is down from last year again. 2002 = 33,664 2003 = 32,628 2004 = 32,057 2005 = 31,276 Fatalities, up to 27 from 21 of 2004. Statistically 30-31. Landing fatalities under good canopies is decreasing in its share of the fatalities. Group members = 266 Net revenue for the year is $ -87,229 (market fluctuations, sales of property expenses, etc.) Net worth $ 2,792,640 (still increasing). Investment value: 2004 $ 945,183 2005 $ 930,688 2006 $ 2,500,276 $ 1,550,000 is from the sale of the Alexandria property. It is invested in short-term investments. Dividends and interest for 2006 is projected to be $ 162,065 New HQ dedication will be May 12-13th and it will be in conjunction with a big party for the memory of Bill Ottley. This is scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. There will also be a Friday evening presentation of a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for Gene Paul Thacker. Per Glenn Bangs: The focus for each one of us is to bring in “new blood” (members). We have an enviable renewal rate of 85%, but a new growth rate that is in dire need of rejuvenation. Chris Needles had a nice PowerPoint™ presentation on USPA Sport Promotion. USPA is having its 60th anniversary this year. Nominations and Elections Committee Meeting: John Goswitz, Sherry Butcher, John DeSantis, J.Dan Stewart (members) and Larry Bagley as advisor. I was there as an interested observer. New York Law governs the process. While not for the upcoming election, electronic balloting and signatures are a valid process. Therefore, Larry Bagley is being asked to get a legal opinion based upon NY law to determine if such electronic balloting can be used to obtain a quorum to conduct any business requiring a quorum as specified in the Constitution and By-Laws of the association. Mike Turoff mentioned about the hurdles put in place for potential candidates for BOD positions as to why there may be so many unopposed slots. Mike mentioned that one of the ways around the quorum problem might be to put on every membership renewal form a proxy statement for a very specific issue that can be collected over a period of one year, thus obtaining an effective quorum proxy. Another possibility is to have every dropzone’s S&T Advisor to be a mentor/proponent for getting proxies signed and collected for a future BOD meeting (or for that matter, an instructor at every dropzone). Only through a massive effort will such an accomplishment be achieved based upon past history of failed proxy attempts. Shanda Smith will be the primary function person in the upcoming election. Safety and Training Committee: Mike Perry, D.Jan Stewart, Mike Mullins, Sherry Butcher, Jan Meyer, Jessie Farrington, Chris Welker, Chris Quaintance. S&T Director: Jim Crouch Advisor: Mike Turoff, The canopy loading chart is a work in progress. “Flying to Survive: Your Video Guide to Safe Canopy Piloting” is an excellent DVD Video presentation put together by Sherry Butcher and Jim Crouch. It is now in distribution. It presents a very good message to both beginner and experienced jumpers alike. It will be even better when it is finalized and released. The Advanced Instructor Course (AIC) as developed by Rob Laidlaw is currently 4 days, $400/candidate wherever it is. There was a motion for the waiver of instructional rating fees for lifetime members. Think about this….it would save the rating holder $20 or more per year there and if you stay in the sport, you’ll save on annual fees too. This is a win situation for anyone who stays in the sport more than 12 years as an instructional person and a win. However, most instructional rating holders only remain as such for seven years. Therefore, this is a win situation for the USPA. However, concerns over financial liabilities for a new large number of Lifetime members and “bottom line” finances as well as HQ tasking for monitoring those members caused this motion to be defeated. A question is posed about allowing D-license holders to jump with unlicensed students who are signed off for self-supervision in relative work. A ratio of a minimum of one D-license holder to one student seems practical with a maximum size of four people. This was approved. We are heading towards an expansion of Coach responsibilities to allow them to do everything after method specific deployment procedures are completed. It is such that a coach will be able to supervise S/L and IAD students who have completed their first successful solo freefall jump. This will allow Coach rating holders more jump supervision responsibilities and free up "appropriately rated instructors" from having to be in the aircraft during those jumps. There was a motion to this affect that was approved. Look for details to come in the USPA's website for the BOD minutes. All other S&T agenda items were dealt with. Some required motions, some were discussed with no action planned on them. Rob Laidlaw has been appointed to the position of AFF CD. Several other members are working on obtaining a similar appointment. Membership Services: No change in the insurance policy costs this year because of the good performance of the organization. This may give us some onus for pursuing self-insurance. There are about 1,000 subscribers for the Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance. Future jump wings and hour badges will do away with the jewel chips. They will be made of gold and will have the award label spelled out on the item. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I tell my student (in Karl Malden - The Streets of San Francisco series and the American Express Card Commercial Spokesman for many years)... I am your skydiver express card. Don't leave the airplane without me!

Unfortunately, I have two obligations from 7/7 through 7/18 that will keep me out of Texas. #1 My father's 88th birthday up in CT the weekend of 7/9-10. His BD is 7/13. #2 Participation at the USPA's BOD meeting in Alexandria, VA from Friday, 7/15 through Sunday, 7/17. I encourage all going to the skyfest to enjoy themselves and be safe. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Beats me, but I'll bet there are some in-utero jumps that would fit into that catagory! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Here is a link to an extensive compilation of our industry's statistics, courtesy of Dan Poynter. http://parapub.com/parachute/statistics.html Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Grab your copy of the Skydiver's Information Manual which you had to use to pass your A-license quiz. The section on currency will tell you exactly what you have to do to re-start. That is your resource of information. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

You did the right thing! Listen to your instructors, not second guessers. Welcome to the world. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I concur. I consider that a deceptive business practice and it is certainly not the industry standard. Unfortunately, the USPA is not in the business of regulating skydiving industries. However, we as reputable authorities in the business can certainly raise a red-flag on such business practices. 800-SKYRIDE is such an item as well, continuing to disregard good business practices with their advertising which is very deceptive. BUYER BEWARE! Now for the "Tounge in cheek"......Or, you can insist that you get a tandem ride without the equipment and threaten to bring charges against the DZ for offering suicide rides (without parachutes!). Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Neat story! I have over 300 jumps on a Star Lite (Strong Enterprises small PC class) and they were lots of fun. Not quite a square but faster than a standard Para Commander and a Piglet. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I understand your viewpoint, your concerns, and your being hurt by this policy. I know both sides of this problem being a jump pilot as well. Even the airlines are charging "fat fees" for folks that need that extra length seatbelt and take up two seats. The days of the FAA 170 pound standard passenger with 100 pounds of luggage are long gone. I sit at 195 (60 pounds heavier than I started skydiving 27 years ago) and wish I could get back to 160. I have always been a "dense falling body" but now without large suits, I can't stay with a group (5'4" frame). Please understand that the weight limits what the aircraft can handle (useful load, not body count by itself). The seatbelts limit what number of jumpers can be on board. I sympathize and empathize, but I don't know how to resolve the situaion for you. Certainly, you had an insensitive DZO when it came to paying you for what you had done. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

When the canopy and the ground are equidistant from your eyes, initiate a smooth three-count flare (which takes about two seconds). One: Flare to the shoulders, Two: Flare to the breastbone, Three: Flare to the waist and below. When the ground stops moving under you, flare no more as to do so will back you up on windy days. Now you might immediately retort that at a descent rate of 16'/sec, only the first second will matter. The error in that line of thought is you are immediately trading forward velocity for lift, therefore you increase the time of your descent through that last 16' during your flare. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Ah, the Physicist in you is getting ready to write a paper for inclusion in a journal. That is a neat idea (your formula). Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

One of the big things about joining the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations) is that they have a staff of medical experts that can help you with this issue (dare I say free of additional charge?!), especially in light of the fact that you will not be using it for flying aircraft. The medical is absolutely required by the manufacturers and the USPA in order for you to exercise the privilege of the Tandem rating. I wish you the best of luck in complete remission and obtaining your medical certificate. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I see many different responses on your topic, and the views each one presents (non-adversarily) are important. Now here's one more to think about. You can be sure that some lawyer is going to be calling people in a "discovery process" and have an "expert witness" look at all these responses and formulate an opinion. I dread the phone call that will come through Dan Poynter to me. Fortunately, since I am not a master rigger nor a manufacturer, I will be able to recluse myself on the technical side of the issue, but surely they will ask me about "Would I have informed a student that......?" and I will most probably say, "No, that is not a normal practice in the industry and that it was a very tragic event." I don't want to go into any further detail because that would preclude me from being objective in a survey of other instructional ratings holders. Gosh, this is a very scary issue!!! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

WOW! What a confusing issue. I would have certainly asked for a Doctor's approval if I knew that situation. I am elated the everything came out right for you and her. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I have my passengers participate as much as they want to. Very few can prevent me from giving them a full flare unless they hold their hands up full, and even then, I manage to power the flare down safely. The more they participate, the more they learn. I give them a lesson in canopy flight on the way down as long as it is safe to do so. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I keep mine up to date all the time. I've got 12, 24, and 36 hour certificates on my wall. If you don't want yours when you've got that much time, that is your right. Things must be documented properly for awards to be issued. I will achieve the 48 hour mark in a year or two Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

If you can, you might put the current cover for the 9th editon on that website. Write me a separate e-mail and I'll send a file of it. [email protected] Mike Turoff

Darn this is frustrating. I wanted to be there but the USPA BOD meeting is that weekend. I'll miss seeing everyong and the Schrimshers too! Mike Turoff (Can anyone offer me a clone so that I can be in both places at once?)

Of course the closer you can put your jumps together, the faster you will learn. Try not to let a month go by without a jump. Stretching it out further will mean having to relearn things and may even subject you to retrain fees. Grab a copy of a good text on the sport and read up about things in preparation for your jumps! HAVE FUN!!! Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

I use this line: I am your SKYDIVER EXPRESS CARD. Don't leave the airplane without me! (From the Karl Maulden version of the American Express Card!) It gets the student's mind at ease. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook

Allow me to add my congratulations to you. I've been privleged to be one of the first rated instructors in the 1981-82 series of courses and let me tell you, it is a big kick to see the smiles on the faces of your students when you both return safely to the DZ clubhouse or assembling area. Mike Turoff Instructor Examiner, USPA Co-author of Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook