Well folks, here I go again; running for a national position on the USPA's BOD. Some of you might ask why I, a lesser known person who does not have a major business interest in the sport, is trying to get elected to an "at large" position. Well, that is one of the best reasons right there, because I will be representing the jumpers as a whole, not the industry or a particular DZ's interest.
 
Talking about issues: I am greatly concerned about two major balloting issues. The first one is that which was "overturned" due to "procedural issues" and thus the will of the membership was apparently disregarded as to their vote on a formal ballot (moving the elections to a different time of year). USPA's BOD is involved in litigation on this issue, and I would have definitely gone with the formal ballot results of the membership. The second one is the extension of the term of office from two to three years. Now here's a case where there was no formal balloting, just a solicitation for comments in a couple of paragraphs in Parachutist. Granted, I support the idea of saving the USPA the money involved in the elections, but really, I feel that this should have been a formal ballot item, not just a couple of paragraphs in the magazine.
 
The proposed training program is very complicated and out for general comment. I am shocked that I was one of just twelve people who bothered to comment on it during its first pass to the population. I am hopeful that there will be many more responses to it now that it is going to be voted upon at the next BOD meeting (this July). If you are an instructor or jumpmaster, it should be of great concern to you, so get a copy of it and read it, then comment on it!
 
What qualifies me to represent you? A genuine concern for our sport as a whole, and a willingness to listen to your concerns. As co-author of the leading introductory text for the sport (Parachuting, The Skydiver's Handbook) and as an Instructor Examiner in S/L, AFF, and Tandem, I am knowledgeable of most aspects of the sport and I have promoted ratings system integrity for over 18 years as an I/E!
 
If you are tired of not seeing someone respond to your concerns, you have the opportunity to effect a change with your vote. I hope you consider me worthy of it.
 
Mike Turoff - MikeTJumps@aol.com

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Fund Raising for the U.S. Canopy Formation Team

Check out the new U.S. Canopy Formation Team web site. They are trying to raise funds for the upcoming World Parachuting Championships in Finland this month. There are several great deals on free (or near-free) gear. As a major fund raising activity, they are offering the official U.S. Parachute Team T-Shirt for sale. This shirt is white with a large, professional design on the front and back of the shirt. This is a great way to get a cool T-Shirt or a fantastic deal on new gear as well as help the U.S. Team.

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News on the Competition Formation Skydiving Site

The Competition Formation Skydiving site has been updated again, and the team databases continue to grow. In this month's feature Kurt Gaebel talks about the ins and outs of setting up and running the National Skydiving League. As founder of the United States National Skydiving League (NSL), Kurt dedicates enormous amounts of his time to organizing and administering regular formation skydiving competitions around the US. The NSL has allowed many young teams to experience 4-way competition and to realize how much fun formation skydiving is in a competitive environment. So, to quote Kurt himself, "blue skies -- go compete"! Click on the 'Features' link on their start page.
 
Also, they are getting some discussions going on FS-related issues, at the moment the forum is chatting about competition -- do you think more FS competitions (in your country) would promote or attract more jumpers to the discipline?
 
Check it out at http://www.competfs.com

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Horizontal Flight with SKYRAY

According to the CYPRES-blackbox from AIRTEC. Christoph Aarns, member of the German skydiving formation team, made a 50-meter horizontal flight during a test week in Spain. He is the test pilot and technical advisor of the Team Freesky, that developed the SKYRAY, an incredible piece of skydiving equipment. Look at his awesome jump at www.freesky.de/movse.html. Final testings are finished and the SKYRAY is now ready for production. For more information check out their web site.

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Skydive Sebastian is up for sale

Skydive Sebastian is up for sale, other business venture's force the sale of one of the best drop zones in the world. Interested parties (please no time wasters) should contact Andy Grimwade on uspa11@aol.com
 
This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to get into the drop zone business who will benefit from my 6 six years of hard work.

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A Blind Leap of Faith

On Sunday, May 21st, 26 students and staff members of the Colorado Center for the Blind jumped tandems from an airplane more than two miles above Longmont, Colorado's Vance Brand Airport. Why did they do this? For the same reasons that sighted people skydive: as a character challenge and just for the thrill of it. As they stood ready to jump at the plane door on that day, students surely discovered newer and greater capabilities than they had ever before realized they possessed through experiencing the exhilaration and freedom of freefall.

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Australian Skydiving Centre In Trouble

Growing problems were reported between the NSW Skydiving Centre, located in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia, and that Centre's local council, the Cessnock City Council. The local Council is attempting to close the DZ, one of the largest in the country.
 
Recently (Wednesday 17th May, 2000) the Cessnock City Council voted on a proposition to disallow skydivers to land on Cessnock Aerodrome, where the skydiving centre is located.
 
The Council are citing an incident that occurred about three weeks ago where a plane from the flying school, which shares the airport with the skydiving centre, nearly collided with a skydiver under canopy during take off. They set up a web site to centralice the effort against the council in question. Check it out at http://www.skysports.com.au.

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New European Partners for Performance Designs

Five European companies have become partners in the demo program of Performance Designs, the canopy manufacturer. All five firms will loan PD canopies to interested jumpers for about 10 days, giving the skydivers the opportunity to make better purchasing decisions. The companies--which PD calls "P.D. Euro Demo Centres"-- include Thomas Sports Equipment (Great Britain), Parafun (France), Uffe's Hopp Shop (Sweden), Fallschirmdepot (Germany), and the Parachute Case (Holland). [Source: Skydiving Magazine]

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News Bytes 

 Skydive The Point in West Point, VA will be closed July 1 and 2 because most of the regulars will be heading to Louisburg for the July 4 boogie at Carolina Sky Sports. They will be open the following week end July 8 and 9 and operating as usual.
 
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It will be Mike Mullins first visit to the Illinois Valley Parachute Club the weekend of June 10 & 11 for the Annual Jumpin Jack Flash Boogie in Minier, Illinois. $15.00 registration gets you $15.00 jumps out of Mike Mullins super King Air, saturday night cookout, beverages and the band from the WFFC, Easy Money on Saturday night. Call 309-392-2751 for information or directions or look at our map at http://www.ivpc.org
 
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In an effort to raise awareness and safety for all, Rob Laidlaw will be hosting a canopy control round table at Skydive Dallas in Texas, June 17th, half an hour after sunset. Every one is invited!
 
In other news: Skydive Dallas is currently hosting a silent Auction for (2) George Strait Concert tickets and the George Strait box set "Strait Out Of The Box". The bidding is currently at $160.00. The auction will be open until 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. All proceeds go to Jump For The Cause and benefit Spinal Cord injury Research. Special thanks go to Robert Wheaton for arranging for this item.
 
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Ohio skydivers now have a community web page to post articles, messages and even pictures. If you jump in Ohio, stop by and take a look at http://communities.msn.com/OhioSkydivers
 
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Skydive Illinois in Morris has opened the Freefly Funkadelics Freefly/Sitfly School. The school offers progression levels similar to an AFF program. It's coached by Jay Moledzki.
 
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The 2003 International Parachute Symposium will be held January 27-31, 2003, at the Adam's Mark hotel in Jacksonville, FL. Next year's PIA Symposium runs January 30-February 2 in San Diego, CA.
 
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Sunpath (Javelin) is sponsoring the staff of Skydive Delmarva for staff rigs. The new rigs were delivered at the start of Skydive Delmarva's Easter Boogie by Pat & Derek Thomas. Pictures will be on their web site at http://www.skydivedelmarva.com soon!
 
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There is an interview with the Team Flyboyz by Boel Janérus on "The Attitude Page" at http://home.sol.no/~attitude.
 
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Due to a delay in revisions to the Skydiver's Competition Manual, USPA has extended the deadline to submit bids for the 2001 nationals until July 1, 2000. The board of directors will consider all bids from USPA group members at its meeting July 14-16 in Alexandria, VA. DZs submitting bids are invited to make their presentations in person. Any questions, please contact USPA at (703) 836-3495, ext. 312, or competition@uspa.org
 
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A women's national record attempt is planned for July 23-23 at the École de Parachutisme de Chateau-d'Oex in Switzerland. A Twin Otter will be flying, and the group will make 11 jumps. Cost is 480 CHF (about US $280). Contact Knabe at (41) 22-366-18-70 or email anne.knabe@knabe.net.
 
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The USPA Competition section is now open at their web site at http://www.uspa.org/Nationals/2000.htm
 
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Florida Keys Boogie! June 16-18 Skydive Sebastian in Florida is doing it again! Boogie in the Florida Keys at Marathon Key June 16-18. Land on the beach! Sunset over the Keys jumps! SunRISE over the Keys jumps! Party Saturday night! Super Twin Otter! For info call 800-399-JUMP or 561-388-5672
 
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There have been some updates on the Gravity Pirates web site. Check out details for Canada's first upcoming Freefly Film Festival at Skydive Burnaby from July 21st through 23rd.

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