michaelmullins

California, USA. At the same time, he says he will NOT have ANY parachute on him. So, did they get the FAA exemption to do that? Answer: Since he is not wearing a parachute, this is not a skydive and this part 105 does not apply. In fact, the FAA is not sure what to do with him. For now, the concept of not posing risk to persons or property on the ground as a result of throwing objects out of an aircraft in flight is the only rule that applies. Luke did get approval to pull low with a BASE canopy (2 parachute system) for his training. Daily updates: https://www.facebook.com/Luke-Aikins-998360006849439/?fref=ts Do you have first hand knowledge, or are you just making things up? I do have first hand knowledge. Luke Akins approached the USPA Board of Directors and was granted a waiver of BSR 2-1-H, Minimum Opening Altitude. The waiver was for a specific time frame, altitude, and location. A copy of the waiver request is attached. Luke did not request any form of waiver for the actual chuteless jump as no waiver from USPA was required. According to USPA definitions, and FAA definitions, this was not a "Skydive" or a "Parachute Jump" or a "Parachute Operation" nor was he a "Parachutist" or a "Skydiver" on this fall from an aircraft. From the USPA SIM Glossary: SKYDIVE: 1. n. The descent of a person to the surface from an aircraft in flight when he or she uses or intends to use a parachute during all or part of that descent. 2. v. To jump form an aircraft with a parachute. PARACHUTE JUMP: A parachute operation that involves the descent of one or more persons to the surface from an aircraft in flight when a parachute is used or intended to be used during all or part of that descent. PARACHUTIST: A person who intends to exit an aircraft while in flight using a single-harness, dual parachute system to descend to the surface. From FAA FAR 105 Definitions: PARACHUTE DROP means the descent of an object to the surface from an aircraft in flight when a parachute is used or intended to be used during all or part of that descent. PARACHUTE JUMP means a parachute operation that involves the descent of one or more persons to the surface from an aircraft in flight when a parachute is used or intended to be used during all or part of that descent. PARACHUTIST means a person who intends to exit an air- craft while in flight using a single-harness, dual parachute system to descend to the surface. So, under all of the definitions above from USPA and the FAA, this was not a "Skydive" or "Parachute Jump" or "Parachute Drop" and Luke was not a "Skydiver" nor a "Parachutist" and as such he did not need authorization, permission, or a waiver from the USPA, or the FAA, or anyone else to exit the aircraft without a parachute. Congratulations to Luke on a stunt well planned and executed. And for anyone else that wishes to jump without a parachute, go for it. You do not need permission from anyone, just make sure that you do not endanger any person or property on the ground. Mike Mullins USPA National Director

You can make a helicopter jump and Pitts Special Inverted biplane jump at the same place you are making your high altitude jump, West Tennessee Skydiving. Those aircraft belong to us and are always here. We can also arrange for balloon jumps, so you can do everything you wish here. Mike Mullins West Tennessee Skydiving

Sorry, there are some legal issues involved in combining them.

***Good day all, This all sounds very exciting. The last ones who flew inverted Pitts jumps dropping jumpers was Freddy Cabanas (RIP) at WFFC and Randy Thompson (who sold his Pitts back in 2009) at Summerfest at SD Chicago. Will this Pitts Special be making it's rounds at the summer "boogie circuit" or will it be exclusively at W TN Skydiving? QuoteWe will be bringing it to Chicagoland Skydiving Center (CSC) for jumps all day Wednesday 29 June, Thursday 30 June, and Friday morning 1 July. Mike Mullins

QuoteHalf price for the ladies on the King Air to 14,500' ($13.00), the King Air to 23,000' ($37.00), and the Helicopter to 3,500' ($37.00). The Balloon and Inverted Biplane jumps are normal price. Mike Mullins West Tennessee Skydiving

QuoteHiller UH-12C

QuoteAs a skydiver you are also required, by the FAA, to remain at least: 500' below a cloud 1000' above a cloud 2000' horizontally from a cloud If above 10.000' MSL: 1000' below 1000' above 1 statue mile horizontally You also must have 3 miles visibility, and, if above 12,500' MSL, 5 miles visibility. So, our sport is chock full of distance requirements that you are required to comply with. Next time a FAA Inspector asks how far you were from a cloud, just tell him that his rule is "flat out unenforceable" and you were not carrying "a measuring device". Mike Mullins

Both have identical 260 hp engines, S2C is latest version with a cleaned up airframe. No difference in the jump.

No quite. The Inverted B-Plane Jump is $100. If you want video, an additional $50. Of course, you are welcome to wear your own video. Mike Mullins

West Tennessee Skydiving is now offering Inverted Bi-Plane Jumps from our Pitts S2B. Hang upside down while your picture and video is taken, let go at your leisure. At this one DZ you can do 28,000', 23,000', Helicopter, and Inverted Bi-Plane jumps and can swoop our FAI/IPC regulation 80' x 300' pond on all the jumps. Mike Mullins

West Tennessee Skydiving will be hosting a Sisters In Skydiving Boogie on May 6-7-8, 2016, organized by SIS Elizabeth Kelly. For all the ladies that register for the SIS event, the 14,500' jumps from the King Air will be half price ($13.00), the 3,500' jumps from the Helicopter will be half price ($38), and the high altitude 23,000' jumps will be half price ($38.00). For the high altitude jumps you must have at least an A License, an AAD, and be able to breathe through your mouth and/or nose. For the Helicopter jumps you must have at least an A License. All experience levels are welcome and we have FREE Coaches for all those (male or female) that are working on their A License. There will also be female organizers for all levels of experience. In addition, for those that would like to participate in setting female, and other, USPA records for Tennessee, there are numerous categories where there is no existing record. We will have a USPA Judge to assist. The records that we can set, and several different records can be set on the same jump, are: Formation Skydiving: 4 Way Formation Sequential 4 Way Female Formation Sequential 8 Way Formation 8 Way Female Formation Sequential Largest Formation Female Largest Formation Sequential Largest Formation Female Sequential Freefly: Largest Head Down Formation Female Largest Up Right Formation Female Largest Head Down Female Sequential Since there are no existing Tennessee records for these categories, any performance on the jump will set the record and go into the USPA record book. There is free camping and bunking, modern bathrooms with hot showers, swimming pool, indoor carpeted and air-conditioned packing. There are many events planned for the ladies. There is a facebook page for this event, please see: https://www.facebook.com/events/904853482934266 To register for this SIS Event, please go to: https://racesonline.com/events/wts-sis-boogie All registration proceeds will go to the Foundation for Women's Cancers. Mike Mullins West Tennessee Skydiving http://www.SkydiveKingAir.com

A USPA TI could drop the USPA rating and do all the tandems you wish without breaking any laws of the US. However, if you are a USPA Member, you must have a USPA TI Rating and FAA Medical in order to comply with the USPA BSR. Additionally, you could not jump at a USPA GM DZ as all non-student jumpers at a USPA GM DZ must be USPA Members. Mike Mullins

------------------------------ This change is not exactly the panacea you were hoping for. Here is the language of the bill: "The bill would exempt pilots with third-class medicals from recurring visits to an aviation medical examiner if they self-certify their fitness to fly, take an online aeromedical course biennially, and visit a doctor at least once every four years. The doctor’s visits will be required to include a checklist of items typically included in a physical or medical exam. Pilots who don’t yet have a medical or have had their medical lapse for more than 10 years also would need a one-time visit to an AME to obtain certification". So, if you have never had a FAA Medical, you would still need to go get one. If what has prevented you from getting one was a DUI, criminal history, or medical condition, then you are still not going to be able to get a FAA Medical. If you have an FAA Medical within the last 10 years, then you would need a valid drivers license and a physical from a physician every four years. You would still need to self-certify that you do not have any conditions that would prevent you from holding a FAA Medical. So, if you get a DUI you would still need (just as now) to report that to the FAA. If you have any medical condition that would prevent you from receiving a FAA Medical, then your Medical would be invalid. Likewise for criminal activity. Mike Mullins

The FAA Medical was never intended to be a comprehensive physical. Rather, it is a screening tool to eliminate those that may not be qualified under their guidelines. What the physical from your physician does not screen for is DUI and criminal history. Some find that important. Mike Mullins

----In Reply I will quote a post and reply from another discussion: "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." ------------------------------ The part of the statement that says "…that is solely a requirement generated by USPA" is not correct. A little history: Many years ago when tandems were done under an exemption from the FAA, the FAA required that the "Tandem Master" hold at least a FAA Class 3 Medical Certificate. Whether this requirement was at the suggestion of the Relative Workshop (now UPT) or Strong Enterprises, or a combination of all parties involved, it was a part of the Exemption and was required by the FAA. After FAR 105 was changed to allow tandem jumping without the exemption, UPT and Strong Enterprises both required that Tandem Masters certified by them would still need to hold at least a FAA Class 3 Medical even though not now required by the FAA. This was long before USPA ever became involved in giving Tandem Instructor Ratings. UPT, which has about 80% of the Tandem business, at one time considered giving waivers to their requirement of a FAA Class 3 Medical but, due to problems associated with the lack of credibility of some that were asking for the waiver, will no longer consider giving a waiver to their requirement of holding at least an FAA Class 3 Medical. This has been re-confirmed with Tom Noonan, who is the UPT Tandem Program Director. In summary: The original FAA Medical requirement was generated by the FAA and the manufacturers, not USPA. When the FAA dropped the requirement for the FAA Medical, the manufacturers retained the requirement. This was long before USPA became involved with tandem. All TI ratings come originally from the manufacturers. To receive a USPA Tandem Instructor Rating you must also receive a manufacturers rating. You cannot receive a rating from the manufacturer unless you have the FAA Medical, they require it and have always required it. So, to say that the medical requirement is "solely a requirement generated by USPA" is not correct and never has been correct. Mike Mullins

The West Tennessee Skydiving 24th Annual Halloween BOOgie and costume contest will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 30 Oct-1 Nov. Balloon Jumps, Helicopter Jumps, 23,000' Jumps, raffle prizes and banquet. For details and to sign up: https://www.facebook.com/events/1669601933256052/ Mike Mullins

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. ------------------------------ The part of the statement that says "…that is solely a requirement generated by USPA" is not correct. A little history: Many years ago when tandems were done under an exemption from the FAA, the FAA required that the "Tandem Master" hold at least a FAA Class 3 Medical Certificate. Whether this requirement was at the suggestion of the Relative Workshop (now UPT) or Strong Enterprises, or a combination of all parties involved, it was a part of the Exemption and was required by the FAA. After FAR 105 was changed to allow tandem jumping without the exemption, UPT and Strong Enterprises both required that Tandem Masters certified by them would still need to hold at least a FAA Class 3 Medical even though not now required by the FAA. This was long before USPA ever became involved in giving Tandem Instructor Ratings. UPT, which has about 80% of the Tandem business, at one time considered giving waivers to their requirement of a FAA Class 3 Medical but, due to problems associated with the lack of credibility of some that were asking for the waiver, will no longer consider giving a waiver to their requirement of holding at least an FAA Class 3 Medical. This has been re-confirmed with Tom Noonan, who is the UPT Tandem Program Director. In summary: The original FAA Medical requirement was generated by the FAA and the manufacturers, not USPA. When the FAA dropped the requirement for the FAA Medical, the manufacturers retained the requirement. This was long before USPA became involved with tandem. All TI ratings come originally from the manufacturers. To receive a USPA Tandem Instructor Rating you must also receive a manufacturers rating. You cannot receive a rating from the manufacturer unless you have the FAA Medical, they require it and have always required it. So, to say that the medical requirement is "solely a requirement generated by USPA" is not correct and never has been correct. Mike Mullins

Reply: Actually the only aircraft that have a wind lock to prevent the door from being opened in flight are the Boeing 727 and the DC-9, MD-80 series. These locks are on the aft airstairs only and are referred to as "DB Cooper" locks, for obvious reasons. I am 100% sure that they are on the 727. The DC-9 and MD-80 may have some other way to prevent deployment than a true "wind lock". I do not believe there are any light aircraft with such a device. It is illegal to jump from a Part 103 Ultralight 2 seat powered parachute. It is illegal to jump from an Experimental 2 seat powered parachute. I am not sure about a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) 2 seat powered parachute, but it may be illegal and probably depends on the operating limitations in the POH for that particular aircraft. Mike Mullins Reply: 2 seat ultralights have an exemption that allows them to be used for pilot training only. Not legal to jump from any Experimental aircraft, it is in the operating limitations. Experimental LSA Operating Limitations (ELSA) 18. This aircraft must not be used for banner towing operations or intentional parachute jumping. As far as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), such as Cessna Skycatcher, you would need to look at the Pilots Operating Manual for the Operating Limitations for that particular aircraft or any limitations on the Airworthiness Certificate. There are SLSA(Special LSA) powered parachutes and you would also need to look at the same limitations. So, as for any ELSA it is not legal to jump. For a SLSA or a LSA, it may be or may not be legal to jump. Mike Mullins

Reply: Actually the only aircraft that have a wind lock to prevent the door from being opened in flight are the Boeing 727 and the DC-9, MD-80 series. These locks are on the aft airstairs only and are referred to as "DB Cooper" locks, for obvious reasons. I am 100% sure that they are on the 727. The DC-9 and MD-80 may have some other way to prevent deployment than a true "wind lock". I do not believe there are any light aircraft with such a device. It is illegal to jump from a Part 103 Ultralight 2 seat powered parachute. It is illegal to jump from an Experimental 2 seat powered parachute. I am not sure about a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) 2 seat powered parachute, but it may be illegal and probably depends on the operating limitations in the POH for that particular aircraft. Mike Mullins

Any place on earth other than the UK, where they have never met a regulation that they did not like.

Actually, in your hypothetical scenario, whether a USPA Group Member DZ or non-GM DZ is irrelevant. Non-GM DZs can, and usually do, have USPA Instructors and S&TAs, who can and do sign off on all licenses, etc. There is no distinction when applying for a license whether the jumps were made at a GM DZ or non-GM DZ. A skydiver, if he meets the requirements, can go from no license to a D License without ever being issued an A, B, or C, and it has been done. Mike Mullins

Just to clarify, you still do not need to "get" a lower license to receive a higher license. That is, you do not need to "get" an A License to receive a B License, etc. However, you need to meet all the qualifications of the lower license to receive the higher license. You do not need to be issued, or pay for, the lower license if you do not wish to receive the lower license. Mike Mullins USPA National Director I know I shouldn't even be trying to correct a National Director, but.... To me it's pretty clear you must have an A license to get a B... and in turn, to get a C, meet the requirements for B, which is to have obtained an A license. Opposed to "meeting the requirements for the A license." Respectfully, WstCstCmtr What I have stated is correct, you need not actually receive an "A" License, only meet the requirements for same, to receive a higher license. The language that you have quoted from the SIM is technically correct but does not conform to the language in the rest of the section. The language which is used for the other licenses, is: met all current requirements for or hold……. The reason the language is "technically" correct is that if you are being signed off for a higher license without choosing to be issued an "A" License you are also being signed off that you have met the requirements for the "A" License and in that sense you have "obtained" the license but have chosen not to pay for and be "issued" the license. Another way to look at it: To receive a higher license, your "A" License Proficiency Card or your "A" License Progression Card must be completed. At the time of completion you are an "A" License holder, you have "obtained" the license. Then, within 60 days, you must send the card, along with the fee, to USPA to be "issued" an "A" License with a number. Until recently, you did not actually need to send the card in and be issued the license, the card was your license. At the next USPA BOD meeting I will propose to change the language of the section you quoted to make it uniform with the other language. I have a "C" and "D" license but I have never received an "A" License. There are many that have been issued higher licenses without an "A" License. I just signed off a "D" License for an individual who has been issued no lower licenses and there are many that have had the same. It has been done this way for over 50 years. Again, I am stating that it is an absolute fact that you do not need to be actually issued, or pay for an "A" License to receive a higher license, you need only meet the qualifications. Or, you can look at it in the light that once you have met the qualifications you have "obtained" the license but not have been "issued" the license. The reason it is done this way is to save the USPA member money. If he meets the qualifications for a higher license and does not wish to pay the $30 fee to be issued the lower license, he can save $30 for each of the lower licenses he does not choose to be issued. Michael Mullins USPA National Director

Maybe in the US, but at least in Canada you have to get them in order. I'd been jumping with a BPA C for some years before I decided to get my Canadian B. CSPA sent it back, so I'm the only person I know who wrote the B before the A before the Solo. I have no idea what the requirements are in Canada, I am only talking about USPA Licenses. USPA Licenses also have to be earned in order but you do not need to pay or be "issued" a lower license to receive a higher license, you need only meet the requirements of the lower license. Mike Mullins

Just to clarify, you still do not need to "get" a lower license to receive a higher license. That is, you do not need to "get" an A License to receive a B License, etc. However, you need to meet all the qualifications of the lower license to receive the higher license. You do not need to be issued, or pay for, the lower license if you do not wish to receive the lower license. Mike Mullins USPA National Director

At West Tennessee Skydiving it is $2318 and that is for all jumps from 14,500'.