chuckakers

From the USPA Governance Manual, available for free here: https://uspa.org/Portals/0/files/Man_GovMan.pdf "Safety & Training Advisors 1. The regional director appoints S&TAs and forwards the appointments to headquarters for processing. a. The appointments should be made in consultation with the drop zone owneroperator, while recognizing that the advisor is a representative of USPA, not the drop zone. b. The appointment of a DZ owner, operator or employee as the S&TA should occur only if another suitable candidate is not available. c. The following qualifications are required: (1) be a current USPA member (2) have made a minimum of 50 freefalls within the past 12 months* (3) hold at least an instructor rating* (4) hold a D License (5) be willing to endorse and promote USPA policies (6) attend the regional director’s annual S&TA meeting* *Items marked with an asterisk may be waived by the regional director. A letter of exception will be included with the appointment forwarded to headquarters. The regional director may appoint himself as an S&TA as long as the minimum requirements are met. 1-4: Regional Directors USPA Governance Manual • Section 1: Governance USPA Governance Manual • February 2019 • 1-4: Regional Directors — Page 20 United States Parachute Association® Publications USPA Governance Manual • Section 1: Governance 2. The regional director will hold at least one meeting of S&TAs each year to— a. promote uniformity of S&TA activities b. enhance communications between the regional director and the S&TAs and among the S&TAs c. provide a forum to exchange experiences, ideas, and methods of operations d. inform and update S&TAs regarding USPA policies, programs, and administrative procedures"

Believe whatever you like.

The most recent age waiver was granted to a 17-year old girl. You might want to choose your words a bit more carefully. This young lady trained and earned her USPA A license outside the country specifically because she couldn't jump legally in the U.S. She and her father (also a jumper) travelled from Florida to Phoenix to attend the last board meeting where she addressed the board in person to request a waiver. The board overwhelmingly supported her request. As for your assertion that there is a "good ole boy system", you are flat wrong. I have served our membership for more than 4 years and haven't experienced any of the countless things the keyboard warriors claim. By the way, you owe this fine young lady an apology for your rude remark.

USPA has not granted age waivers to drop zones. They are granted to individuals who are then welcome to jump anywhere they like without being in violation of BSR's.

No BSR violations. West Tennessee only allows minors to jump with an age waiver approved by the USPA board of directors. Mike can speak for himself about the details of his DZ's specific situation and his perspective on the issue, but be assured no BSR violations are occurring.

We have been taught by our culture that fear is a bad thing and clearly you see it that way too. Fear will keep you alive. It is the voice in our heads that reminds us we are conducting a dangerous activity. Fear - up to but not exceeding the point where it inhibits your abilities - is ok. It comes with the territory. You can fight fear or you can accept it. The latter will make things a lot easier for you. Think less, fly more.

It's with a very heavy heart that I write to say our dear friend and fellow skydiver Henry Butler has passed away. Henry was a longtime Houston jumper who spent many years as an FS competitor and judge. Henry was a Vietnam era U.S. Navy veteran who began jumping in 1996, calling Skydive Houston his home DZ for many years. Most recently he was an active jumper at Skydive Spaceland Houston, where he was always a welcome player in any slot. Solid and dependable described him well in the air and on the ground. He was also a damn good judge, participating in countless competitions and records throughout the years. Above all, Henry was a kind, polite gentleman with a heart of gold. Never an unkind word, and always a positive spirit. A friend to all who knew him. We have truly lost one of the good guys. Henry R. Butler, D-20747, passed away peacefully in his sleep early Tuesday morning at the age of 67. Details on a friends and skydivers remembrance are forthcoming. Please send condolences to his better half Debby Dodge at 6711 Lindayann Lane, Houston 77008 Blue skies, Henry. See you at the debrief.

Going on 35 years. Still got it.

Are you saying manufacturers are claiming proper activations based solely on cutter units sold?

A former coworker of mine used to trash pack pretty bad and got line overs fairly routinely on his Raider. He cleared them by climbing a riser - front most often - nearest the point of the line over until the line slipped off. Of course this was done with a loading of 1.3 +/- on a square F-111 canopy. Not sure I would try it on a heavily loaded HP canopy. With all that said, I have always been an advocate of just getting rid of anything that doesn't fly right, and doing it quickly. I have seen docile malfunctions turn into vicious, high G ones in the blink of an eye. I have also lost friends because the mals they had were so violent that they were rendered unable to properly perform EP's. If it looks bad and flies bad, it's bad. We will never know how many jumpers have died because they jacked around with a mal that went south in a big way. Don't add yourself to the list. And on that subject, this is timely.... https://parachutistonline.com/p/Article/dont-delay-cut-awaythe-link-between-spinning-malfunctions-and-difficult-cutaways

You are correct. Can you open your reserve and reclose it without breaking the seal? Derek V I was referring to this. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4906778#4906778 Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

On Racers, the seal must be broken to open the rig. Jump Shack instructions call for a fixed closing loop, tacked to the top of the pilot chute, under the decorative cap. I suppose it would be possible for a really motivated person to untack the pilot chute cap and then disassemble the closing loop to allow it to float, but a person with that sort of time and skill could find other, easier ways to do stupid rigger tricks. Interestingly, Airtec would prefer a floating loop on Racers, one that could slide over the top of the pilot chute instead of being tacked to it.. A previous poster noted that such a change would reduce the risk of having only one cutter fire. --Mark My bad. I looked back at the post I was originally replying to. The poster was referring to "2-pin continuous loop rigs like Softies and Nationals". My point stands. If a rig can be opened and closed without detection, I contend that the seal is just a tag identifying the rigger who closed it. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

That's the part I'm referring to. If a rig - like a Racer, apparently - can be opened and re-closed without breaking the seal, it's not a seal. It's just an identifying tag. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Except on 2-pin continuous loop rigs like Softies and Nationals, which can be opened, aired, inspected, and repacked without breaking the seal. --Mark Which begs the question, what good is a it if the reserve can be tampered with and the seal remain intact? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Summer of 1985, because a co-worker wanted someone to go with him. Changed everything about me forever. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

fixed Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Oh, the irony. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Sorry you had a bad experience. I would never dream of not being responsive to a member - whether in my region or not. If you can't get the help you need, I suggest contacting the president of the board or the executive director. Often a call from one of them kickstarts action. You can also call me. I handle the gulf region but I'm happy to assist any member in any way at any time, 24/7. It's what I signed up for so it's what I am prepared to do. I encourage anyone who holds a seat on the board to do the same. My number is 832-630-1213. Add me to your contacts. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

me - 1.6 my wife - 1.2 my son - 3.2 Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Everything you ever wanted to know about disciplinary actions can be found in the USPA Governance Manual section 1-6, page 24. https://uspa.org/Portals/0/files/Man_GovMan.pdf Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

TSO'd gear is not required for foreign jumpers in the U.S as long as certain conditions are met. See FAR 105.49 below sec. 105.49 foreign paracHutists and equipment (a) No person may conduct a parachute operation, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow a parachute operation to be conducted from that aircraft with an unapproved foreign parachute system unless— (1) The parachute system is worn by a foreign parachutist who is the owner of that system. (2) The parachute system is of a single-harness dual parachute type. (3) The parachute system meets the civil aviation authority requirements of the foreign parachutist’s country. (4) All foreign non-approved parachutes deployed by a foreign parachutist during a parachute operation conducted under this section shall be packed as follows— (i) The main parachute must be packed by the foreign parachutist making the next parachute jump with that parachute, a certificated parachute rigger, or any other person acceptable to the Administrator. (ii) The reserve parachute must be packed in accordance with the foreign parachutist’s civil aviation authority requirements, by a certificated parachute rigger, or any other person acceptable to the Administrator. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I see your posts for Chuck Ways every week, and have seen the videos. Maybe, some day... Congrats on your selection. Alix Hubbard from the Southeast is also very, very current. Thanks! I do hope you join us for some hops! Looking forward to serving with Alix. She has attended the past couple board meetings and seems to be a great lady. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I made 250 +/- in the last year. Typical for me. Most on the board are very current jumpers. A few only make an occassional hop, and one I believe hasn't jumped in more than 20 years. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Not sure how relevant or true this is, but when I started in the mid 80's I was told the reason AAD's were not popular among experienced jumpers was the fear of a mis-fire during formation skydives. The introduction of the Cypres fixed that problem, and the death of Tom Piras made them instantly popular. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Believe whatever you like. In my time on the board I have never heard a single conversation, read an e-mail, or been privy to any communication between board members, headquarters staff, or anyone else in which manufacturers were even brought up concerning any of the issues we deal with. Never. Not once. Maybe there's an effort to keep me in the dark because everyone knows I'll call bullsh*t, but I doubt it. I sometimes try to address stuff I see on these forums that I believe to be off base, but no more. I have learned that I can not convince those whose minds are already made up that there is any other truth beyond that which they have convinced themselves of. I will reserve my energy for more positive efforts to serve our members. I am availble 24/7/365 for anyone who wants to chat. 832-630-1213. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX