kmills0705

Ditto.... please elaborate. Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

With all due respect, as an AFFI, someone who has evaluated coaches, and someone who loves seeing students learn.... Time in sport = meaningless Number of jumps = meaningless These are metrics that do not give any indication to the quality of the instructor candidate. Instead I would advocate a difficult written test, similar to the FAA exams for riggers - done on a computerized platform with tons of questions for the computer to randomly select. There are plenty of commercial testing facilities who do these types of exams for organizations for a small fee, internationally, for many different customers. (I took one for my LEED AP rating and had 10 places to choose from in a network of testing facilities)... That would determine how "seasoned" the instructor candidate is for "book knowledge". If someone can pass the test with 10 days in the sport, then great - they did all their homework and have the knowledge to teach! (And hopefully have the discipline to not BS answers but instead get help from people that know, should they be encountered with a question they don't know... It just happened last week to me, as an FAA rigger and AFFI - a student stumped me so I had to research the question.) Once the candidate passes the written - then they can take an instructor course, for which the USPA would have very strict expectations of their examiners. Each examiner would have to register their course with the USPA, and the USPA can send a S&TA or other official to the course to audit the course directors to make sure the USPA criteria is met. Part of that criteria is teaching ability, the other flying ability. And I support 25 coach jumps with real students prior to the AFF course (with a waiver given to those who come from a small DZ and simply cannot find that many students).... And, once someone gets their AFFI - they should be on a 25 jump probation where they must be partnered with another AFFI. (Our DZ does this as a management policy and it works well). So, in recap - numbers are meaningless (my opinion). Why not test for skill and knowledge instead??? Just because someone has the knowledge doesn't mean they have the ability. Part of the AFF I course evaluates a candidates ability to teach. When it comes down to it there are no magic formulas. If you have x number of jumps over x amount of years then you will be a good AFF I. The fact is each person has different knowledge, experience and abilities. The AFF I course directors should be evaluating each individual based on a combination of knowledge, skills and ability to teach. If there are "problem" AFF I's then it must go up to the AFF I/E that passed them. I personally believe that the requirement for coach rating for a year prior to AFF is a good step. It was this way in the past when we had jump master to Instructor rating. Then they have some experience with working with students and actually teaching. I believe the BOD was trying their best to please everyone. That simply won't happen. I think they should be applauded for hearing our voices and taking the steps to make changes that will ultimately better our solution. Were the decisions the best? Well, that will depend on who you ask. Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

MikeJD and the great song by the great band once said "People are people....." But thank you.

+1 Olympians are supposed to be athletes and in top physical condition. How is a curler an athlete? edited for spelling... Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

There aint nothing wrong with a crazy pussy.....as long as you dont show it were you live and set it free afterwards..... But watch your back, dont let it follow you home Now that right there is a good solid life lesson. And the same is true of the other species! Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

That pussy looks demonic!!! I wouldn't want it between my legs!!!! Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

To be honest, I really didn't get a thank you when after our meeting when I handed her the bottle. I kind of got some sort of mumbled mess. Maybe my hearing isn't all there and maybe it was a thank you. But you are right, some times I just have to deal with the fact that people are people. Some will say thank you and others will just mumble. And such is life. Live and learn. Just be nice to your packer. Every one else can go pound salt.

Is it safe to open at work?!?! And... I say they are... my cats are definitely not smart! Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

Dude.... you expected a thank you, she thanked you. You then proceeded to send her a personal email at work. At that point in time she thinks you are hitting on her and doesn't reply. So.... how many thanks you's do you expect?! Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

Yup! I got mine today. Great issue. I

Thanks FLyfast... I will be looking for mine... Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

Thanks Michelle! I am glad I am not the only one who thought this. Generally speaking in terms of weight loss - a "size" is about 10-12 pounds... I lost 20 pounds last summer and I went down 2 sizes... Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

Hey, I don't believe I received a Jan or February issue of Blue Skies... everyone else getting theirs?! Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

In the case of a certaion dz in southern Indiana they send out emails telling the fun jumpers to stay home because the planes are full of tandems, all 3 days of a 3 day weekend. That's pretty much the extreme end though. Most of the time a tandem mill will cut fun jumper loads to send tandems first. I've been on a load that got told to exit at 6,500 because they needed to send one more tandem before dark, we only got charged to go to 6,000 though. You're probably at a tandem mill when you can't jump with a friend because there's only one slot left after the tandem with video, all day long. Or how about when they send two tandems on each load, then tell the fun jumpers they can't go because the plane needs to be on the ground when they're done packing the tandems. You are right on Chris. It is sad because that particular dz was my home dz for so many years. Last summer I spent the day there at a "boogie" where I made as many jumps as I could get on. Yeah, I got on TWO loads that day... and yes I paid a boogie registration fee. I am happy at my little Cessna dz getting in 10 jumps in a day. Granted we can only get in 4 way RW formations... except when we organize a 2 plane shot and do 8 way stuff. It is fun an awesome and a treat. It reminds me of when I first started in this sport... Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

I would bet they have more plants than they know what to do with. I have a very good friend who had a toddler die unexpectedly. Most parents today haven't saved up for the unexpected cost of a child's funeral nor have they planned financially for unexpected time off from work (I am not saying this is bad - I am one of them). A gift card (generic visa) is very helpful at this time. Or if there is some type of charity set up in the child's name you could donate to it as well. As for your hairdresser - this is a tough one - there is a bond between stylist and client and it is easily broken on either end - a few missed appointments on client side or one bad cut/color on the stylist side and it is broken. I would go the route of bottle of wine. As far as what kind, get a bottle of red and a bottle of white. You can get decent wine for $12 - $15 a bottle. Hope this helps. Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

Believe it or not, a dishwasher uses less water than hand washing. Yes, I rinse the dishes and wipe them with a rag before loading. Exactly what I do. Dishwashers will not clean dried stuck-on food off dishware. I scrub off any residue and consider the dishwasher a disinfecting tool. Me too... the dishwasher just disinfects... Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

Why not? It works. I am just saying that at this point the OP is a fairly new jumper. I would just advise she continue to learn to fly her body. I would curiously wonder what her fall rate actually is. I know plenty of people who wear led, but they are also pretty experienced. It is a personal choice for me not to. I just know I have to work a little harder based on the group I am jumping with. As a result I have a really wide range. Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

+100 Please do not try to learn how to skydive via the internet. Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

Nope, no dz's in Bahamas. When is the big day?! I got to jump in Aruba while on my honeymoon and it was amazing. I think the dz didn't last very long there but was glad to have the opportunity to. Change your honeymoon destination and go to Jamaica! Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

First you say you don't want a wing load of more than 1:1. At 50 jumps what size canopy are you jump. That would put you under a fairly small canopy already. I am not a big advocate of wearing weights. I would suggest you work with a coach on several jumps who can really vary their fall rate and who can teach you various techniques to fall faster. I am a female instructor and I am the one instructor than call fall with one of our 240 pound students who may as well be an anvil. I also fall with our skinny, tall and lanky students. I dress a little differently depending on who I jump with, but I learned early on how to vary my fall rate out of necessity. You will hear this from any skydiver - faster is better!! Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

I had to click on your profile to see if you were form Indiana. My old dz has a turbine and is a tandem factory. The DZO doesn't care about "fun jumpers" and refers to us as a roll oh nickles because that is all he makes on a fun jumper out of a Caravan. I left there (still go over there on occassion) and now jump at a closer, smaller, Cessna dz and love every minute of it. A turbine isn't everything. Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

My ex had Abyssinians that he said were absolutely amazing cats. I had two cats named Pepper and Chilli. They were awesome Maine Coon Cats. They got outside and didn't come home :( So my latest set (and they are best in pairs) are named Sebastian and Miss Elsinore (Elsie for short). My Golden Retriever's name is Quincy :) Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

How did you know? Did you buy him a hooker?! Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

Take me and I guarantee you at least one person to jump with :) Ok, neither your wife or my bf would like that idea!! Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I

A lot of us aren't. I think we all have the same sentiment - give the asshole their $30 so we can all get on with our jumps! I would say even if the issue is dropped with the JAG office this will not happen. Kim Mills USPA D21696 Tandem I, AFF I and Static Line I