fencebuster

DSE: I don't think the gender of the USPA president matters. Good judgment is what matters. I pledge to use my best business judgment if I am elected to the Board, which is what is required by the law for a Director of any organization. As for the TI FAA Medical requirement, I do not accept the BOD analysis because the USPA has no business policing individual DZ hiring decisions. The FAA does not require an FAA medical for TIs. A "medical" is by definition an analysis of a persons medical fitness. That a person has been convicted of a DUI is not a measure of medical fitness. As a DZO, I am capable of doing a background check to identify past criminal history; indeed that is my responsibility to my customers and my business. I am also capable of assessing, through a proper background investigation, the prospective applicant's current sobriety and commitment to same. That is not in USPA's lane and the FAA medical does not assess that fact, and if you think otherwise, read the very first page of the text in the SIM where the USPA's position on individual DZ responsibility is set forth in bold lettering -- where they disclaim any responsibility for the operations of individual DZs. I am fully capable of evaluating instructors with the assistance of the IE's who jump at my DZ and USPA has explicitly disclaimed any responsibility for those decisions. I would simply ask the USPA to live up to the explicit disclaimer they make on page 1 of the SIM. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Believe me, I don't want to lose money. But if I can run a business that pays its own bills without me writing checks every month from my personal account, I am a happy camper. My goal was not to "make money" by opening my DZ. It was to create a skydiving place people would enjoy coming to where everyone was like family. I think I came pretty close to achieving that goal. I certainly didn't intend to not care about money, because I do. But I knew that DZs are always one accident away from possibly being put out of business and I was willing to put my personal capital on the line to achieve my vision. My point really is that I don't owe anyone in the "industry" anything. I am my own man who started as a skydiver for the pure joy of the experience and started a DZ of my own to try to make a happy place for jumpers with like minds to have a safe and familiar place to jump where everyone is part of "the family." Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Well, I think that my long experience as an attorney has trained me to think critically and to thoroughly analyze problems in order to develop workable solutions. My successes have been very public in that regard. I have the discipline of a career military officer and as a club President, of a large skydiving club, I have learned to work collegially with other BOD members to bring success to our skydiving enterprise. I know what it is like to build a DZ from a single Cessna and two tandem rigs to a going concern and I spend most of my time trying to help skydivers realize their goals. As for the direction of USPA, I believe that the organization should work for its members and want to hear what the rank and file want to see changed for their benefit and then work to see that vision realized. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Thanks for your input, it is definitely helpful. Believe me though, I didn't open a DZ to make money. Rather, I have invested my entire life savings to do so. I am invested in safe operations and policies that are good for skydivers and the sport. I think the needs and desires of skydivers many times receive short shrift from the BOD. I'd like to think that I can be the voice of reason for the weekend fun jumper with the BOD. But I am certain I will learn much from this experience whether I am elected orr not. Thanks for you comment! Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Skydiver friends and acquaintances: I am running in the upcoming USPA BOD election for a position as a National Director. Below is my official statement submitted to USPA. I am available to answer any questions or respond to any concerns. Simply PM me and you will get an answer. Thanks in advance for reading this! I am a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and current lawyer with Valley Proteins, Inc., in Winchester, VA. I have been skydiving since 2007, although I completed 10 military static line jumps. Since I became a skydiver, I have led a large turbine skydiving club as President and member of the Board of Directors (Skydive Orange, VA) for over 2 years during a time when the club contracted to build its new hangar and developed the new landing area. After an injury in May 2011, I embarked with my wife, Melissa, on development of a dropzone with a different "vibe", which became Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures, a two Cessna 182 operation in New Market, VA. We have been operating for four years and we have a solid AFF student program, a loyal fun jumper following, and effective tandem marketing operation. My military background provides me with a strong sense of discipline and significant leadership experience while my experience as an attorney and director or owner of two separate dropzones has provided valuable experience in dealing with legal and practical challenges to the skydiving community and our membership. My first priority will be the needs of the membership of our organization. I am beholden to no one in the skydiving “industry” and will be available to any member with a problem, concern or issue requiring BOD attention and will forcefully advocate for issues that will benefit individual members and our rank and file skydiver membership. I look forward to earning your vote! Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Andy: I was thinking the same thing. Now having been slapped with attorney's fees on top of costs, she's definitely going to go after her own lawyers. I hope they provided their advice on the frivolous claims in writing to the client . . . . Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Actually, the FAA does not try to hold TIs to any standard, much less the standard of Air Transport Pilots (ATPs), which is what "airline pilots" are. The FAA does not require a medical of any kind to act as a Tandem Parachutist in Command; that is solely a requirement generated by USPA. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

I don't know you and you don't know me. But I promise you I am not a one trick pony. I am an advocate for skydivers and I pick my issues. I see lots of them. Like a BOD member who swoops and injures a spectator who keeps the BOD job. I will bring the rigor of a lawyer's education and a military officer's discipline to the BOD process, with the experience of a person who has been a fun jumper, an instructor, the President of a major East Coast skydiving center, and a guy who started his own skydiving operation with a C-182, three student rigs and and two tandem rigs. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

No one at my DZ would have a problem with random drug testing. But I could see how that could be a problem for USPA if such a requirement were imposed on instructors -- I would guess many would refuse and leave the sport. I simply think the requirement for a medical for only TI, not AFFI, not IAD/SL, is anachronism. I am planning to run for the Board in the coming election and, if I am elected I will be the voice of the skydivers who believe our organization spends too much time worrying about manufacturers and not enough time making skydiving more inviting for the weekend fun jumper. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Unlikely that the airport closes. Without question it took FAA grant money -- probably millions over time. If the jurisdiction receiving the airport grant funds shuts down the airport, they must refund the grant funds back to the FAA. That's like a gun to the head of any municipality that has normal financial issues. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

I am less concerned about illegal workers taking work away from legal workers than I am about DZs violating the law, evading paying taxes and failing to report income on people they are employing. I know that this is not "unusual" or unique in skydiving but if the IRS chooses to look into the practice it could hurt the entire skydiving industry. Who really wants to answer questions from the IRS, even if you are doing everything above-board? Everyone has their own level of risk they are willing to take; I get that. I am personally not willing to risk a prosecution for tax evasion, money laundering, or violation of the immigration laws. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Can someone tell me where to find "the USPA recommended medical statement" on the USPA website? I must have missed it in the hours that I have spent reviewing this issue. It is not in the SIM; not in the IRM; and, not a document available for download on the USPA website. Please; someone point me to this document and send me a link. Read the first substantive page of the SIM and then think about what it says, Kool-aide drinkers. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

I have purposefully stayed out of this for a while, but Steve is right on target. Given that I own the business, I know the person involved and have assured myself that it was not endemic of a regular course of conduct, I personally do not believe that the USPA has any business regulating my business. The FAA medical is NOT required by the FAA for tandem skydiving. It is a USPA-imposed anachronism. USPA does not enforse the BSR for regular skydivers -- EVER. Find a skydiver on any DZ who has their doctor's medical approval on their person -- I dare you. The problem with the BOD is that they apparently have not read the SIM. Read the first page of substance in the SIM and it goes on and on about how USPA does not regulate DZs or anything else about skydiving. Which is crap and would not hold up in court, given their regulatory actions at the most recent Board meeting. I made the proposal, it was defeated. I accept that. But, don't be surprised to see me on the ballot for a BOD position in the future. USPA needs more skydiver and DZO advocates to offset the manufacturer's mouthpieces. Nothing changes unless and until someone steps up to be the engine of change. My effort was only the first. It won't be the last. And I will not be slow to speak up when the BOD acts without credibility or conscience, as in the case of a director swooping spectators and causing injury without sanction. That is all. Thanks, Steve! Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

The FAA medical is a vestige from when Tandem was "experimental" and was done under an FAA waiver. The USPA kept the FAA medical requirement that is not now an FAA requirement, according to one BOD member, to "track DUIs." My point was and continues to be that as a DZO, it is none of USPA's business who I hire if they are qualified, medically fit, and they meet my personal expectations as the DZO. If you read the first page of the SIM, USPA disclaims any responsibility for anything relating to skydiving and especially what occurs at any DZ. Yet, the medical requirement for regular skydivers is RARELY if ever enforced. I just want USPA out of the medical certification business for my employees. Whether a guy/gal has made a judgment error and driven with a couple of beers and has a DUI on his driving record has nothing to do with whether he is a safe or capable skydiver. I am more than able to evaluate the people who work for me as a DZO. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Actually, a commercial pilot requires a Class I or Class II FAA Medical. A TI is not a commercial pilot. But soon private pilots will not require any medical. What then? Sport Pilots already do not need a medical. The BSR on medicals for regular skydivers is NEVER enforced Did you read it?) and the sky hasn't fallen yet. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

I have submitted a proposal to the BOD to amend the BSR requiring an FAA 3d Class Medical for TIs. The rationale of my proposal is set forth in the March 3, 2015 letter, attached. My proposed amendment is set forth in the March 6, 2015 letter, also attached. I encourage any TI, aspiring TI, interested USPA member or DZO who agrees with my proposal to make their agreement known to your regional directors and/or the members of the USPA Safety and Training Committee prior to the USPA BOD meeting next week. Ours is a membership organization and our Directors were elected to work for the membership and promote skydiving. My proposal gets USPA out of the medical evaluation/approval process altogether, based on the professed claim of concerns of "liability" for USPA. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Actually, properly executed, an aileron roll is a 1 g maneuver. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

+1. Can't remember the last time I saw, read or experienced such a lack or maturity from a supposed adult. Please moderators, do your job and delete him, bar him, and prevent him from diminishing the intelligence of this site for all time. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

I made my first freefall skydive at 51. I am now 58 and a Tandem Instructor and AFFI. Just listen to your instructors, read the SIM and follow its recommendations and once you get your A license, make smart choices about your equipment and fly conservatively. Boomerdog was one of my students and he is doing great! Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

The IRM requires a current FAA Class III medical Certificate or the equivalent. Page 111. The BSRs on the other hand state that "any skydiver acting as a Parachutist in Command must possess a current FAA Third-Class Medical certificate or equivalent medical certificate acceptable to USPA . . . ." In a long chain of e-mails a BOD explained to me that the reason that USPA does not recognize a DOT medical as an "equivalent medical certificate acceptable to USPA "is that because it does not "track DUIs." For the life of me, I cannot understand what business it is of USPA to "track DUIs". If a DZO wants to hire a recovering alcoholic, or just a guy unlucky enough to have a 1 time DUI, who is otherwise healthy and capable as a TI, what business is it of the USPA? The idea of a medical certificate is to determine whether the health of the TI is such that he is medically qualified to perform the duties as a tandem parachutist in command, not to track DUIs for the USPA or even DZOs. It is exceedingly difficult and expensive, to obtain an FAA 3d Class medical after a DUI -- it requires multiple different evaluations over several months --, and a TI does not need an FAA airman's certificate to perform TI duties. The FAA increased the requirements after a DUI to keep pilots with alcohol problems from exercising the privileges of their airman certificate unless certified by the FAA medical establishment as non-alcohol dependent. The fact that a TI received a DUI is a matter between his DZO and the TI, not USPA, since the FAA requires neither a medical nor an airman certificate to be a Tandem PIC. I turned in my USPA Group membership because I firmly believe that the USPA Board is full of shit in not accepting a DOT medical as an "equivalent medical certificate" because it does certify the medical condition of the person who holds it, and it is up to the individual DZO to decide who should work for the DZO. In conjunction with a number of other massively hypocritical decisions the Board has made (or not made) recently, I simply cannot accept the BOD involving itself in employment decisions ("tracking DUIs") on otherwise medically and professionally qualified TIs. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Is there a DZO or manager out there who is running an operation in Class D airspace that would be willing to talk to me about pros and cons and dealing with the FAA on application under FAR 105.15. PM me if you are willing. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Sounds like a helicopter inspecting power lines to me. Pretty rountine use for a helicopter, IMO. And to do it properly, you need to be close enough to the power lines and associated equipment to be able to "inspect" it. That this nit-wit doesn't understand that and writes this ridiculous screed demonstrates her lunacy. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

+1 If the school's goal is to get them off AFF without a plan to get them their A license, they are doing the students a disservice. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Really? That is your response? It isn't a prototype? Well, Bob Hoover was an accomplished USAF test pilot long before he was an airshow performer and when he flew those demos at airshows as a civilian with a well-maintained, specifically prepped aircraft, he was flying on an approved FAA waiver with no unsuspecting and uninformed pax along for the ride. There are a few rules your don't break -- you don't do acro in aircraft not certified for it (because you might break the airplane in ways that will be unsurvivable); you don't do acro with uninformed passengers (because they have not consented to your stupid show of ego); you don't violate the FARS when you are flying skydivers (because stupidity like this can affect the way the FAA deals with all skydiving operations as well as the one you are being paid to fly for). If you don't get this, I am sorry for your lack of education and aviation knowledge and hope I never run across you in the future. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures

Another professional test pilot without a load of skydivers. Flight in violation of the placards is a violation fo the FARs and would probably be characterized as reckless operation. Charlie Gittins, 540-327-2208 AFF-I, Sigma TI, IAD-I MEI, CFI-I, Senior Rigger Former DZO, Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures