9 MAR 2013

		The weekend weather was awful, but Thursday was great and Elijah Tienda, after months of nursing an injured leg, finally got out from behind the manifest desk and once again took wing in the skies over Salado. Welcome back, "Heywood!" And on the same load, Slayden Howell got to flip and back loop and barrel roll on an awesome jump that actually made him smile in mid air. Great job, Slayden! Finally, a big Texas welcome to Kyle Austin and Robert Lowe who got up extra early on Sunday after the time change and took the first jump course from Isaac. While the sun did come out on Sunday, it was too little too late to dry out the runway, and so both are anxious to come back and make their first skydive! Be patient, stay ready!
SAFETY DAY RESCHEDULED TO THIS SATURDAY!		Due to the poor weather this weekend, we postponed Safety Day for this Saturday, March 15th. We'll review accident trends from last year across the sport, talk about gear inspections, safe flying habits, and have tons of fun doing safety day activities. And after jumping, we'll have dinner at the DZ and a raffle! This week's issue of Temple Times includes this download link to USPA's PowerPoint presentation on avoiding canopy collisions. (Right click on the link, and save as or save target as to download -- you must have MS PowerPoint to view.)
		HAVE YOU MET MARK MARK? If you haven't yet met the man, the myth, the legend in his own mind who is the owner of Skydive Temple, you have missed out on one of life's most interesting experiences. In what brand of cereal did he find his pilot's license? How old was he when he discovered piggyback rigs? Who won the bet that left him in charge of the zoo that is SDT? Why does he have two first names exactly the same? And, most importantly, how much money can he save me on my new gear? Be the first courageous enough to actually ask Mark Mark these questions in person, and if you survive to report his answers, you will win an AWESOME Norman Kent Skydiving DVD!
REDESIGNED WEBSITE ONLINE		As part of our ongoing switch to the new logo and new look for Skydive Temple, this week, we launched the redesigned website! Check it out and explore all the links when you have some time, and let us know if you experience any problems. Thanks!
		DID YOU KNOW... The United States Parachute Association is raising the minimum age for jumpers to 18 years. New Basic Safety Requirement: Effective May 1, all first-time skydivers in the U.S. must be 18 years of age or older. All student skydivers who have made a skydive prior to May 1, 2014, must attain an A license by December 31, 2014, in order to be exempt from this rule. All currently licensed skydivers still under the age of 18 are exempt from this rule. For skydivers jumping outside of the U.S., USPA will issue licenses only to those 16 or older..
SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK		If you haven't seen the incredible pictures of the collision between skydiver and small plane that happened in Florida on Saturday, take a look at this! While both parties remarkably survived, it could have ended up much worse. This is why we jumpers need to stay well clear of the runway, as well as the approach and departure corridors on either end. While both the FAA and the NTSB are still investigating the accident, and all the reports are not in, note how the jumper appears to be clearing the power lines behind him. If he was trying to make it back to the DZ from a long spot, don't make the common mistake of waiting too long to decide to land in a safe alternative landing area. It's ALWAYS better to hike back to the DZ than to be carried away from the DZ.
Contact Skydive Temple at 254-947-3483 or email jump@skydivetemple.com