chuckakers

Look closer. It looks like the reserve snagged the main pilot chute and took it during the deployment. He had no chance to contain the main after deploying the reserve.

12 reserve rides on 5 R.I. rigs in a variety of configurations. Perfect deployments every time. Thanks, Sandy and family.

That is essentially a visual exercise to gauge proximity. If you are halfway to the ground (from your opening altitude) and not at least halfway back to the landing area (horizontally from your deployment point) the suggestion is to head that way (stated "steer downwind") and look for an alternate landing area in case you don't make it.

I've never heard of it and not sure what purpose it serves. It's possible to be "halfway down" and already over or near the landing area. Likewise, it's possible to be "halfway down" and not "halfway back" as might be the case when jumping in higher winds.

USPA sells back issues of Parachutist. They may not have physical copies dating back that far, but probably have a digital copy. Call HQ at 540-604-9740 to inquire.

Why would it be sticky?

Give Ron Bell at USPA HQ a shout. He may have some data that isn't published. [email protected]

And that is why you will be a safe and successful skydiver. Welcome to the family.

Correction - "Under a large, slow, docile student canopy they are *usually* a minor issue." Any canopy can kill you on any jump - even when you do everything right.

The size of the instructor does not dictate the ability to provide insight. Think less. Fly more.

How many jumps do you have? A lot of stability issues come from flying with a rigid body rather than actual body position. If you have a flat body position *and* you are flying stiff, that multiplies the problem. If you are a new jumper, I suggest seeking out instructors and local veteran jumpers, and ask them for a critique. Sometimes we can fix a small problem and solve a bigger one. Be safe. Be badass.

Start by getting certified as a skydiver. drop zone locator link here... https://uspa.org/DZlocator

Good question, and I haven't heard a good answer.

Important topic. Following.

I like that. Let me pass that along to the Executive Director for some research. Thanks!

I would personally like to have it back, but there would have to be a bulletproof way to ensure the deal isn't a financial loser. Pre-orders, maybe?

What is your source for that information and when is the grounding supposed to happen?

Looks like to me as well. What the hell was it doing in the pack?

The buck stops here, if ya know what I mean. There is no deflection and no refusal to take responsibility concerning the voting numbers for the board of directors because there is nothing to deflect and no failure to take responsibility for. Turnout in USPA elections has always been low. I've noted before that there are some obvious reasons like new members that don't vote because they don't know our system or even what they are voting for, and life members who are still on the voter rolls but are disengaged, but there are also people who don't vote because they simply aren't concerned with it. These folks don't see anything wrong with the way things work. They get their magazine, processing times for licenses and ratings are fast, they have 3rd party liability coverage in case they break something or someone, and dozens of other things USPA does for them in the background. Fun jumpers (the largest segment of us) just want to show up, make some hops, drink some beer, and do it again next weekend. Our members aren't voting for representatives that make life-altering decisions on their behalf. They are voting for volunteers who work for the members doing at times some of the most mundane things imaginable. If the governance of USPA isn't important enough to a member to prompt them to vote, so be it. We will still represent them the best way we know how. That comes with the price of membership.

That's about it. Mike Smith from the old Spaceland Parachute Center discovered it while packing his girlfriend's reserve. The fabric tested fine during a repack, then 120 days later during another repack he pull tested it again and the fabric fell apart like wet paper. It was determined that the contaminated mesh having contact with the F111 fabric degraded it severely. No one ever figured out how the fabric could test perfectly fine for a long time, then suddenly fall apart in the course of one repack cycle. The fix was an acid test followed by a specific washing method if it was positive.

The calendar is no longer being produced. The cost of production vs sales made it financially unfeasible to continue making it.

Scott, it's not that people don't care about USPA. It's that they don't care to get involved in the politics or the governance process. That is a distinct difference. For the most part, skydivers just want to skydive and know that USPA is supporting them in real-world ways. Skydivers DO want USPA to handle licensing, ratings programs, safety & training issues, and the infinite number of things that can screw up an otherwise great day of skydiving. They want us to keep the government out of their way, keep the A-holes from taking them out with bulletproof attitudes, and lead the administration of the world's largest (by far) skydiving organization properly. As a regional director I get several calls each week from members with questions or issues that require action on the part of USPA. As president, I see DZO's with airport access problems, airspace use complications, airport tenant conflicts, unreasonable or impossible venue requirements, and a million other things that threaten our sport and our rights. Skydivers also want excellent customer service from USPA and they get it. Call headquarters some time. You will notice that your call is answered by a real live human being, not a voicemail system. That is by design. Ask a member who recently turned in a license or ratings application how long it took to process. Most applications these days are processed within a week, and some within a few days. I've had members routinely report getting applications for licenses, rating, and awards processed within 24 hours of submitting them. Try to get that kind of customer service anywhere else. The list goes on, but you get the point. Most members don't realize what USPA does for our members until they need something. Then they just want their problem solved so they can get back in the air. The truth is there are many reasons members don't vote that have nothing to do with "not caring" about USPA. A lot of members are newbies who wouldn't know who to vote for without performing a lot of research. Some are lifetime members who have no active interest in current affairs. And many (most?) members who don't vote choose to sit out the elections for one very simple reason - they don't see anything significant that needs changed. I used to get irritated at people with apathy toward USPA, but after 6 years of service on the board and a front row seat watching USPA serve members with problems that need our attention, I no longer do. The fact is the average member doesn't know the insane amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, but they DO care that we are there doing the work - even if they don't realize it until they have an issue that needs solved. They also want a nice place to pack and a fridge that keeps their beer cold. We leave those items to the DZO's.

Look up Amir Valinia on Facebook. He's been developing one and it looks solid.