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Even with the snow falling in April we are still moving along with the season.
The tandems are rolling through and we have 3 AFP students about to graduate. The Caravan is back in town and we are utilizing her through the weekdays for the lighter loads. The staff seems to be pretty happy with the aircraft and with the cooler temps is climbing just as fast as the Otter!
Jerry Baker took the Caravan down to Vandalia this past weekend for the grand opening. Even though they have been open they kicked off the season by bringing the van down. Thanks to Jason for bringing us down and Jerry who cranked out 21 loads in one day!
Back at home we are getting closer to running Real Dropzone for experienced jumpers. Not too much will change on the jumper part but the job for the girls in manifest will be a little easier. One cool feature is if you have an iPhone or Internet able phone you can check out the manifest. Log onto http://dz.skydivechicago.com/realdropzone/manifestmonitor to get the updated manifest.
Another cool feature of Real DropZone is the banner ads you can place on your Myspace, website, email, etc. When people click on the ad from your site and book a tandem you will get $12 per jump made. The following is a post from Real DropZone:
This week I would like to introduce to you our new Banner and Link Advertising program. This is a special referral program that gives anyone the ability to place banners and links anywhere on the Web. The dedicated system is able to track hits, sign-ups, and purchases made through your advertisements, giving you great insight into the effectiveness of your ads and their placement. Any first-time skydives made as a result of clicking on any of your banners earns you credits towards jumps!
To start things off, we have a special Spring 2009 offer! We will pay $12 instead of $10 for all first-time skydives made before June 1st!
To start using the Banner and Link Advertising program, simply ...
- Read the overview to better understand how the system works and its benefits.
- Go over the detailed instructions which will help you get started using the program.
- Take advantage of the program and start placing banners on the web!
- If you have any questions about the program, feel free to ask in this dedicated forum thread
SDC was representing big time down at the Paraclete wind tunnel. Both Rhythm and my VRW team were down there training. It was fun to be side-by-side with another SDC team and I look forward to training with them and the other SDC teams all summer.
Speaking of our VRW team we are trying to come up with a team name and are asking you for help. Skydive Chicago’s new VFS team is looking for a team name! Rook Nelson and Mike Wittenberg formerly of Team Mandrin, Will Pesek and Mickey Nuttall formerly of Deland Hybrid XP and Noah Bahnson on video will complete the lineup for Skydive Chicago’s team. We are finishing up our first camp together at the Paraclete XP wind tunnel and training is going great. We only have one problem. We don’t have a team name.
We have tossed around a lot of ideas, but then we had an even better idea! Let the people decide. Please submit your ideas for a team name and if we pick that name, you in return for your creativity and thoughtfulness will receive 4 one on one coach jumps from one of the team members, or two jumps in the slot of your choice with the team! The jumps must be made during Summerfest 2009 at Skydive Chicago (July 25 – Aug 2). Not a bad deal for just coming up with a name. We welcome any and all ideas, so let’s hear it! We will create a forum thread on the SDC website for you to post your ideas.
Rhythm’s Team for a Day is coming up this weekend. They have a few slots left so if you are looking to kick start this season be sure to take a part of this great event. To sign up check out http://www.rhythmskydiving.com/events_coaching.html#teamday for more info.
SDC’s Flying Fish will be hosting a 4-way scrambles event April 18th at 9am. The scrambles are a fun way to jump with and get to know new people! You can sign up in advance by visiting www.sdcFlyingFish.com
Photo By Pete Jabczynski
SDC Furies are putting together another great event with an even better cause. The following is a post from them:
Many of you know that as a skydiver you have experienced first hand the amazing effect the sport can have to change lives for the better. On April 25, the Furies will join forces with Operation Freefall to help others realize that effect and help combat sexual assault. Now, you can be a part of the adventure and help others have a better life as well.
About Operation Freefall:
"On April 25, 2009, at dozens of DZs across the country, thousands of people will take a "Two-Mile High Stand Against Sexual Assault®" as part of Operation Freefall®. Operation Freefall was born in 2001 when, on the anniversary of her rape, Speaking Out About Rape, Inc. (SOAR®) founder, Kellie Greene, made her first skydive. In doing so, she successfully reclaimed the day that had been taken from her, reviving her own courageous spirit and turning what had been a dreaded annual memorial into a keenly anticipated celebration."
http://www.operationfreefall.com/
How To Join the Fight:
You don't need to be an experienced skydiver to participate. In fact, most people are first-timers. No advance training is required. You make a "tandem" skydive attached to a United States Parachute Association licensed tandem master. Your participation fee includes everything needed for a tandem jump: instruction and/or training, tandem skydives, plus a souvenir DVD to give you a permanent memento of this exciting experience!
Registering and collecting pledges is quick and easy, and can even be done entirely online. Act soon though, because the registration deadline is approaching!
If now isn't the right time for you to take that plunge, please consider sponsoring the Furies efforts by sponsoring our training jumps that day by visiting our page here: http://www.firstgiving.com/sdcfuriesxp
Thanks and Blue Skies!
As you can see there are lots of things happening at SDC. Even with the snow we are charging forward with a great season.
FYI Javelin has come out with a service bulletin that should be completed before the next jump. Javelin, Javelin Odyssey, HIP RING AND 4 RING MAIN LIFT WEB INSPECTIONS.
Date of manufacture between September 2008 and December 2008 See complete details here: SPSB005-COMPLETE.
Brian Germain will be hosting his canopy control course here at SDC May 23-24. The cost of the course is $225 per person plus jumps (4-8 hop and pops weather permitting at $15/jump). Spots are limited so reserve yours with a deposit today by calling 815-433-0000 or emailing info@skydivechicago.com.
For those of you who are on Twitter follow SDCAIRNEWS for the up to date info on weather, events, and specials. Follow us today.
Don’t forget about our big ways happening this year at SDC. We have Guy Wright coming in for 4th of July and 100 ways during Summerfest. You can register at www.bigways.com.
I’d like to thank Enzo and RJ for helping me out on my house. They went above the call of duty and are working long hours to help complete the project. Thanks guys I’m truly blessed to be around such a great team.
The forecast this weekend is looking good so come out and join us for another great week of jumping.
Rook |