I wish to reiterate the rules.  Some are Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR’s), some are BSRs (Basic Safety Recommendations), and some are DZ policy.  You guys must understand that all of these are minimums. 

~You may not jump with an out of date reserve.  The repack cycle is 120 days.  A safe formula is 4 months minus two days.  Do not expect us to catch you with an out of date reserve. An out of date reserve will severely jeopardize the pilot’s license and future.  He takes great care to get us to altitude safely each load and we need to respect his investment in time and money to keep us flying safely. We should not have to remind skydivers to be sure that their reserves are in date.

~Each jumper must be seated and belted for “…takeoff, landing and motion across the ground.”   When you get into the plane, sit down and belt in.  The aircraft does not move until all occupants are in compliance (kneeling does not count).  The SLC FSDO (FAA) witnessing a non-belted occupant will severely jeopardize the pilot’s license and future.

~Each hard helmet and/or camera helmet must be secured on the wearer’s head or securely fastened in an approved manner.

~To attempt a wingsuit jump the person must have a minimum of 200 skydives with made in the preceding 18 months and an endorsement from an approved source. An approved source would include our Wingsuit Instructor.  An approved endorsement would include me (the DZO), or Phil (the DZM), or Faris Alaboudy, our local BMI/PFI.

~To size down to a 1:1 wing loaded parachute a person must have a minimum of 200 skydives with 100 made in the preceding 18 months and an endorsement from an approved source.  An approved endorsement would include me (the DZO), or Phil (the DZM).

~To fly a camera a person must have 100 jumps with 50 made in the preceding year and an endorsement from an approved source.  An approved endorsement would include me (the DZO), or Phil (the DZM).  Then and only then may you video your friends.

~There will be no “chasing tandems” without my specific approval.  Jumping with a tandem is not at the discretion of the tandem master.  It is under my direct supervision.

~You must wear a hard helmet until you have 50 skydives.  The frap hats at the drop zone are for tandem students only.  They are for the use of neither staff nor regular jumpers.  Use of a helmet is free of charge.  When you land the helmet must be returned immediately.

The gloves at the drop zone are for tandem and AFF students only.  They are for the use of neither staff nor regular jumpers.

The nylon jackets at the drop zone are for tandem and AFF students only.  They are for the use of neither staff nor regular jumpers.

Altimeter rental is $1 per jump.  A set of car keys or a driver’s license must be surrendered.

After student status you may use the gray jumpsuits (only) that hang on the south rack.  The jumpsuits in the sewing room are for student use only.  They are for the use of neither staff nor regular jumpers.  The new, blue jumpsuits are for tandem use only.

~A jump ticket is $20 in advance and $21 after the jump.  If you have an account at manifest, your jump ticket will be posted to the books when you board the plane (you may not bring us a ticket after the jump).  A jump on a credit card is $21.

This letter came from one of our jumpers.
“I know sometimes it's hard for you and Debbie, taking the hard line you do on most safety and minimum requirements, but at the end of the day, I really appreciate the fact that you two suffer some bullshit in your endeavor to keep everyone safe. I caught part of your discussion with XXX today, and heard his complaining later on, but the fact is...you're right. You've survived in this business for so many years because you've seen the stupid, and try to keep it away from SDU. You probably don't hear it often, but I appreciate how you've taught me to accept the conservative view. I can think of three specific instances where you or Debbie have recommended I not do something, and in two of them, I've done it anyway, and while both situations turned out fine, I wish I hadn't been in those situations when I was in the air. In other words, hindsight is 20/20.  Race' death hit hard, probably because XXXXXXXXXXXXXX. This aircraft going down....brings safety and adhering to the limitations to the front of everyone's mind. I just hope it sticks.”

Decisions of management are not capricious.  There are reasons borne of experience that dictate our conservative approach to jumping out of airplanes. Reaching a minimum does not signal that you are ready to undertake a specific discipline, it merely means that you may begin to learn the discipline (hopefully with a coach) and begin experiencing these sorts of jumps.

Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Jack

HAVE FUN!!