Hello Everyone,

Again thank you for stopping by my site, I truly appreciate it.  You can all help in my effort to make this sport safer by stopping by the forums and becoming involved, especially you newer jumpers.  There are some very experienced skydivers who are here to help you the best they can.

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season.  I know jumping in the northeast has slowly come to a close but that doesnt mean we are not jumping.  If you travel somewhere warm please be safe and remember you may not be as current as you were in June or July.  Take it slow and easy.

Respectfully
Rich "Winnie" Winstock
National Director





Hello Skydiving Friends,

I wanted to take a moment and say that the season is coming to a slow close up here in the northeast.  I have been enjoying the Board of Directors and trying my best to represent the general membership.  Please feel free to email me if you have any comments or suggestions.  I am happy to say that it is an honor to serve with all of the other directors and I am nothing short of amazed at the commitment they all show to the sport.

I also wanted to say that starting Jan 1, 2012 a new canopy proficiency card will be in place for all new B license applicants.  This was near and dear to my heart and an enormous amount of work went into this.  It will be out shortly and I want to emphasis it is just a starting point.  I always felt that we were lacking in the continuing education in this area and now we are starting to walk down that road.  It used to be we had to seek out skydivers and suggest they take a canopy course and get coaching, now, they must come to us to receive it.  Hopefully nobody will slip through the cracks.  I guess unless they do not want a B license.  With that being said, it is important to point out the results of this change may not be trackable.  What  I mean is if we avert a tragedy we will never know.  It is a good feeling to know we are trying our best.

On another note, I am trying to organize a meet the USPA Staff and USPA BOD event for February 15 and 16th out in San Diego.  The response has been great and if youare interested in speaking to the people whose names you know but havent had the chance to meet in person now is your chance.   I think it is important that we make ourselves available to membership, being we are supposed to represent them.  So let me know your thoughts.

Lets finish the season strong and be safe.  

I also recently learned of the passing of a long time east coast skydiver "Senor".  My heart goes out to family and friends, this is truly very sad to have lost a long time member of our family.  RIP and Blue Sky's Forever.

Respectfully
Rich "Winnie" Winstock
National Director









Hello Skydiving Friends,

I wanted to give an update on what USPA has been doing in regards to Canopy Education.  In my opinion, once a student receives his A license, they are thrown into the fire and forgotten about until you read about them in an incident report.  Well, in response to a string of canopy fatalities (10 out of 15 so far in 2011) USPA unanimously adopted a B License Canopy Piloting Card.  As of January 1, 2012 any B license applicant will have to complete the card and mail it in with their B license application.  


You see, it has been the instructors who have gone out and tried to be proactive and get all students to take a canopy course.  Now with this new change, the students are coming to the instructors.  

It is very similar to water training.  An instructor goes over the water training syllabus in the SIM and signs off on the license application.  Well in this case a person appointed by the S&TA will go over section 6-10 and 6-11 and sign off on the card.  Followed by 5 canopy jumps dedicated to performing and being evaluated on a variety of skills. (riser turns, stalls, accuracy...etc.)

Ultimately the responsibility will fall on the S&TA to endorse the instructor and the card.

The Safety and Training committee has worked very hard at coming up with an idea that will have a positive impact on the sport.  I believe this is a step in the right direction.  I would like to thank all members of S&T who helped with this project, and the entire BOD for approving it.

I do know it is a work in progress but now canopy courses across the U.S. all have, not only a syllabus, but a proficiency card to go along with the course.  If you take a canopy course it should at very minimum cover the card by the end of the course.

For the next 60 days I will be taking any feedback from general membership, instructors, canopy course instructors, or anyone who feels they have some valuable input.  

A change like this is exactly why I chose to run for National Director.  To make a positive change in our sport.  

Please be safe out there and remember, be predictable, keep our head on a swivel, and recognize it is not over until you put your canopy on the packing mat.

Blue Sky's,
Rich "Winnie" Winstock

USPA
National Director




Hello and Welcome,

     The 2011 season is about to kick off in the northeast and I am excited to announce a few scheduled classes.  Please take a moment and check out the calendar.

     For those that are new to the sport or the site, please sign up for the forums.  There are a variety of topics that may answer some of yor questions.

     The hot topic for this year is Canopy Education so I encourage anyone to sign up for a canopy course, we will be offering beginner and advanced all season long at SDLI.  Last year 70% of the fatalities involved a canopy issue.  It is imperative that we maintain vigilence once the freefall has ended.  Remember the fun is not over until you drop your chute off in the packing area.

Blue Sky's and Safe Season,

Rich Winstock
USPA National Director
S&TA



Hello Skydiving Friends,

     I wanted to take a moment and thank you very much for your support.  The final results are in and I was elected to represent you on the United States Parachute Association Board of Directors in a national capacity.

     I have stated it several times but I represent you and the skydivers on the front lines of our great sport.  If you have any concerns or questions please feel free to contact me.  I am on facebook or you can email me at rwinstock@encorenationwide.com. 

     The final results are in and below for  you to review.  The Directors are dedicated to making this sport safe and enjoyable and they should all be congratulated and commended for their time and efforts.

     Safety Day is March 12th, 2011.  Please stop by the forums to read up on some great safety threads as well as meet and chat with fellow skydivers.


USPA Election Results


Blue Skys,
Rich "Winnie" Winstock

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