October 13, 2011

Skydive Chicago

I think I need to change the title from Weekly Update to Monthly update.

First, I want to thank the US Army parachute team, Golden Knights.  The Knights stopped in for their annual tandem camp.   SDC’s first-class facilities are a good fit for their high profile tandem jumpers.

We need more High Level government officials to jump.  Since they don’t, and hate seeing how much fun we have, they are trying to push user fees.   The following is copied and pasted from the USPA.org website:

On September 19, the Obama Administration released its plan to reduce the deficit and grow the economy. Among many proposals to raise revenues is one to implement a $100-per-flight fee on “operators who fly in controlled airspace.” Simply put, because controlled airspace is simply airspace in which air traffic control services can be provided, the new fee could be applied to just about anyone who flies. Realistically though, since the plan describes how general aviation operators don’t pay their “fair share” when using ATC services, the administration is targeting operators who actually do use air traffic control services. The full plan is HERE; the aviation user fee is addressed on pages 22 and 23.

[b]The Effect on Skydiving[/b]
 Part 105 of the Federal Aviation Regulations requires a jump pilot to establish and maintain radio communication with ATC prior to every jump. So would jump operators be required to pay the government $100 for every takeoff? But wait, the plan does exempt certain operators, including “recreational piston aircraft.” While that describes the majority of light single- and multi-engine general aviation aircraft (including single-engine Cessnas) found in the national airspace system, it presumably wouldn’t exempt the hundreds of Cessna 182-type jump planes currently flying, since most skydiving flights are for hire, i.e., commercial in nature and not recreational. So, assuming an operator passes the cost of the $100-per-flight fee to his customers, an operator of a Twin Otter carrying 20 jumpers would need to increase jump tickets by $5 per jump. A Cessna 182 operator would also pay the $100 fee and would need to increase jump tickets for a 4-way by $25 per jump.

[b]It’s Not the Cost; It’s the Concept[/b]
 In reality, though, our concern is as much about the concept of user fees as it is about the cost of user fees. General aviation operators already pay for use of the system via a federal fuel tax—19.4 cents per gallon for avgas and 21.9 cents per gallon for jet fuel. It’s easy, it works and it’s equitable; the more you fly or the more horsepower you use, the more you pay. In contrast, a new pay-per-flight fee would require the FAA to set up a new bureaucracy to track and enforce fee payments. And even if the concept is first aimed at only jet or turbine operators who file instrument flight plans, once established, the concept of pay-per-flight is easily modified to start reaching down to other users.

[b]Aviation Associations Opposed[/b]
 USPA joins all other general aviation users in opposing a new user fee, in favor of keeping the current fuel tax system. USPA has offered its support to the other associations that are gearing up to oppose this effort. As a result, the National Business Aviation Association, which represents companies that use aircraft in the furtherance of business, asked to interview USPA Executive Director Ed Scott for one of its recent podcasts on the subject. You can hear the podcast HERE.

[b]Sign a Petition [/b]
USPA is currently coordinating with the other associations on member initiatives. Meanwhile, there is something you can do on your own, right now. A petition has been started on a site recently inaugurated by the White House that allows anyone to petition on a specific issue. If within 30 days 5,000 people sign a petition, the White House staff will issue an official response and direct it to the appropriate agency. The petition is Take User Fees off the Table

Please take a second and fill out the petition it only helps the sport that we love to survive.

Thanks to Alan Butt for running the season’s final MWSL meet at SDC.  It is cool to see all the new teams compete for the first time.  It was a slight battle with the weather but the two Otters made quick work of the meet.  Check out the results: http://www.skyleague.com/indexX.php

Bad news, the Keys Boogie won’t be happening this year.  There were some issues that caused us to withdrawal from the event.  We will try to tackle this one again next year.

Good news is that I am working on a boogie in St. Kitts. Where is St. Kitts?  Follow this link to check out the island. http://www.stkittstourism.kn

USPA has launched a new program called Sisters in Skydiving.   Their hope is to give new women jumpers experienced female role models to help guide and support them.  They want to increase the retention of female students, adding depth and diversity to the sport.  There are currently 3 Big Sisters at Skydive Chicago who are all looking for little sisters.  If you are a new lady jumper and are looking for a mentor please contact: Holly Sherman, iseedeer@yahoo.com; Maytee Kneitz Mkneitz@me.com; and Meredith Ottery otterym@gmail.com.

RookieFEST is right around the corner. Be a part of the action October 15-16.  We have already tripled the pre-registration of last year!  I’m seeing more and more new grads out practicing for the comp. The prize pool keeps getting better by the day!  You don’t have to be an SDC grad to compete in this event but I do wish you luck.  To compete you must have graduated in 2010 or 2011.   Click HERE to see all the details.

October 1 we start our fall schedule being closed on Wednesdays.  The hangar is normally open but the SDC offices won’t be.

Skydive Radio and SDC teamed up to host the 1^st Para-Golf championships.  Dave and Karry Schwartz organized a great event.  The following is a post from Dave:

Skydive Chicago held it's first annual Para-Golf competition on September 23rd at the Prairie Lakes golf course.  27 competitors jumped over the golf course and landed in the #8 fairway where they were scored on accuracy.  The jumpers were then broken up into 4 person teams for a 9-hole best ball golf tournament.  In the end, Ron Olson, Karry Schwartz, Kevin Brown, and Derren Dettloff took home the gold.  A steak dinner and drinks finished off the night at The Lakes restaurant.  Jumpers traveled from as far away as Nebraska, Michigan and Kansas City to participate in the event.  A great time was had by all and the golf course actually wants us to come back next year, which is no small miracle.  Expect to see Para-Golf become a yearly event at SDC.

The final stretch is on for all the teams competing in Nationals.  The Nationals start on October 26 and continue though November 5.  This is a selection year and the winners of the Nationals will be invite to the World Meet in Dubai 2012.  It’s going to be a good battle between the Furies and Golden Knights.  Both teams are going for the women’s 4-way invite.  GO FURIES.  We will be updating the SDC Facebook page with scores and updates throughout the comp. On behalf of Skydive Chicago we wish all our teams good luck and bring home the GOLD!

Check out some highlights of Standards training over the Summer: http://youtu.be/3eGjdZvuRR8

Don’t forget your Halloween costume for annual SDC Halloween Party on the 29^th.  There will be games and prizes along with the costume contest.  Don’t miss out on the spookiness!

After all the rain this spring lets hope the ‘Indian Summer’ lasts well into November!  See you this weekend.

Rook

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