28 APR 2014

		Thursdays have been beautiful most every week this spring, and Elijah Tienda took advantage of the blue skies and light winds to make an awesome coach jump with Wendy. And Gabe Ward came out to knock out his training tandem the same day and is now all set to do his level 1 AFF! While Saturday's winds remained too high for students to jump most of the day, on Sunday, Keith Nevins took the FJC from Beth and got to do his training tandem with Zac and also is ready for his level 1 AFF Finally, Nick Harrison came back out, took a refresher jump from Shelby and now is ready to tear up the skies for the summer!
SKYDIVE TEMPLE 25TH ANNIVERSARY BOOGIE		Planning for the weekend of May 31st and June 1st continues with lots of surprises in store. We will host Spaceland's Twin otter, with load organizers to put you on memorable, fun jumps that expand your skills! And for real excitement: a Hughes 500c Turbine Helicopter (lift ticket $65)! Also on tap: A live band Saturday night, the comic stylings of Austin Catchings, free beer, great food, and a world famous Toga Party. Stay tuned for more details on our Phun Jumpers Facebook page.
		HAVE YOU MET KEVIN? By day he works as an Army Medic, but for fun, he collides his parachute into others, and also packs mains, an is working on getting his rigger's ticket. Kevin Fanning started jumping about two years ago here at SDT, after doing a tandem and finding out how much fun it really was. Besides skydiving, Kevin also does a lot of reading, watching documentaries and scuba diving. Kevin is due to be discharged later this year and is looking forward to traveling the US and jumping at different DZs around the country.
GETTING BACK IN THE SKY		If you are a student (not yet earned your A-license) and haven't jumped in a while and wonder what it would take to get back up, here is a quick guide. To stay current, USPA requires a jump (or training) every 30 days. After 30 days, you'll will need to take a refresher class, which could be very short if you are just a few weeks over 30 days, or it could be a longer course if you've been grounded longer -- the idea being to fully prepare you before jumping out of an airplane. If you haven't jumped in 60 days or more, you'll need a refresher, plus repeat your last skydive before we throw anything new at you to work on. After 6 months, you'll need a refresher and do a Cat B assessment jump, to get your knees back in the breeze, make sure you're stable and comfortable in the air, and see if there is anything we need to work on; if not, you pick up right where you left off. After a year or more, while your previous jumps count toward your total required, you'll need to retake the first jump course and work through the program to make sure your learned skills are still there. We want to help you get to where you want to go in the sport, in a way that's safe, fun and efficient.
		DID YOU KNOW... The United States Parachute Association lists recurrency requirements in Section 5 of the Skydiver's Information Manual As we get into warmer months, many Skydivers return to jumping after a winter layoff. It's a good idea to brush up on all your skills, especially emergency procedures before making that first jump of the season.
SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK		Staying forward in the aircraft during climb out, during jump run and during exit helps keep the plane flying safely and efficiently. Many jumpers like to stretch out and move towards the tail during climb, especially when the plane isn't too full. But that kills the rate of climb by several hundred feet per minute, and makes it harder to control the aircraft, especially if a loss of power (engine out, fuel starvation) situation happens Many jumpers start to move toward the door on jump run, or during exit. Don't; its dangerous due to a risk of stalling the aircraft. Instead, stay seated well forward until its your group's turn to jump. Move forward, stay forward, keep safe!
Contact Skydive Temple at 254-947-3483 or email jump@skydivetemple.com

20 APR 2014

		A welcome break in the weather led to beautiful skies Friday and Saturday, letting students like Jasper Byrom get back in the air to work on their free fall and canopy flying skills. Brian Lancaster got to make several jumps over the weekend. advancing to his Level 2 jumps. Also getting to make several jumps, Tom Dean is now up to his Level 3 jumps and having a great time after a long weather hold. Dave Garcia had a blast working on turns in his Level 4 jump, and had a great solo landing! Saturday, Ilya got to take up Nick Lindsay on a coach jump who had a long hiatus from the air over Salado. And even though the skies clouded up Easter Sunday, Saturday night we celebrated Spring long into the night, with Jasper, Brian, Opie and Elijah earning their official numbers in a certain SDT running ritual Good times!
SKYDIVE TEMPLE 25TH ANNIVERSARY BOOGIE MOVED TO MAY 31 - JUNE 1		Our 25th Anniversary boogie is now officially moved to the last Saturday of May and the first Sunday of June -- come celebrate with us! Mark is working on brining in some awesome jump platforms for us to play with, to get the latest developments, go to Skydive Temple's Phun Jumpers Facebook page and sign up for our email list.
		DID YOU KNOW... The United States Parachute Association is partnering with various providers in order to offer skydivers a host of financial and insurance products Members can access the USPA member Benefits Portal online And if you haven't yet joined USPA, you can easily do so completely online, so long as you don't have any ratings that require signatures (such as instructors or PRO rating holders) -- if so, you'll need to fill out and mail in the renewal forms.
SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK		This week, we link to a short safety article from Parachutist online about dust devils; where and when they form and how to avoid them.
Contact Skydive Temple at 254-947-3483 or email jump@skydivetemple.com

13 APR 2014

		The spring weather that has prevented us from jumping continues to keep us grounded, but on Sunday, Shelby taught three newbies the first jump course. Welcome Ashley Campa, Jacob Bearl, and Gabriel Ward to hopefully bluer skies soon!
SKYDIVE TEMPLE 25TH ANNIVERSARY BOOGIE BALLOON JUMPS		The weekend of May 17th and 18th is about a month away and Skydive Temple is planning a boogie to celebrate. At a skydiving boogie, jumpers from all over camp out, jump out of special aircraft, make fun formations, or work on new skills with coaches and organizers -- oh, and and party all weekend long while we keep the planes up all day and the neighbors up all night. This special 25th Anniversary boogie, we're bringing back the balloon for early morning and sunset loads. Stay tuned for more information on signing up -- but you will need at least a "B-license" to qualify for the balloon.
		HAVE YOU MET JASON? If you're rather unlucky and have need of a helicopter ride to the hospital, you might just meet Jason Arsenault at his regular job, at the controls flying you there. Or, you can catch him flying camera or fun jumping at the DZ. Jason is also a coach, and you might just get to learn something handy from him. Jason started jumping seriously several years ago here at SDT, while stationed at Ft. Hood flying Chinooks. Now he wants to improve his free flying and get into big-way photography.
LEARN MORE IN A PACKING CLASS OR CANOPY CONTROL COURSE		Not enough people signed up for the canopy control course, but if you're interested, email Ilya@Skydivetemple.com or facebook Ilya Kats to sign up The canopy control class is not only a great idea, USPA requires it for your B-License, and here at SDT, we require it for your A-License. Wendy is also available during the week (and on rainy/cloudy/windy weekends) to teach a packing class which is also a USPA A-license requirement. So contact Wendy, and the next weekend you wanted to jump, but were weathered out, learn to pack instead!
		DID YOU KNOW... Skydivers can qualify for and receive a variety of USPA licenses, from A to D as well as special ratings according to their experience, skill, and knowledge level. SIM section 3 describes the requirements and privileges of USPA licenses. Three separate types of USPA ratings can be obtained as an individual develops expertise in a specific area, such as student instruction, professional demonstration jumping, and competition judging. The FAA issues ratings for riggers and pilots. For more details on the USPA instructional ratings, see the USPA Instructional Rating Manual. For the USPA PRO Exhibition rating, see SIM Section 7, "Exhibition Jumping." For information on competition judging, see the USPA Skydiver's Competition Manual. And for FAA ratings, such as rigger, pilot, or aircraft mechanic, refer to the FAA documents included in the SIM
SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK		Earlier you read about staying on the wind line in higher winds; how would you alter your landing pattern? When winds are high, move your pattern entry point both farther upwind (increasing the length of your downwind leg) and closer inward toward the target to shorten your base leg. In high winds, going downwind greatly increases your ground speed; lengthening the downwind leg gives you more time, making it less likely you'll be blown too far downwind of the target. Don't go as far downwind, but turn in sooner than normal onto a shortened base. A shorter base leg means less time to be blown downwind in high winds. Remember when you turn back onto final approach, your penetration will be very little due to the high winds, so turn into your base and final legs earlier than normal.
Contact Skydive Temple at 254-947-3483 or email jump@skydivetemple.com

7 APR 2014

		Despite the great jump weather Friday, no one came out until the clouds started to roll in on Saturday. Early that morning, many were on hand to make a spectacular balloon jump, but only the first group got to make it, as it soon became too windy for the balloon to make any more flights that morning. But it wasn't too windy for students, and the overcast was high enough for Sidney Hoelscher to work on more advanced free fall skills with Li'l Buddy And two new jumpers got to do their first training tandems. Kyle Austin made it back and had a fun jump with Scott and Brian Lancaster, aka "Sacajawea," jumped with Steve after taking the FJC earlier this week from Scott. Welcome Kyle and Brian!
CANOPY CONTROL COURSE RESCHEDULED TO THIS SUNDAY		There is still time to sign up for this great class, now moved to this Sunday, April 13th! Anyone from students already on their solo jumps to experienced skydivers can learn something valuable; and this class is required for getting your B license (A at Skydive Temple). Class will be rain or shine, starting at 9am. You must be paid up and secure gear rental (if needed) by 9 a.m. Cost is $45 (plus rental gear if needed) plus 3 hop and pops from 5,500 and 3,500”. Returning students (those who have taken the course within the past year) cost is only $15 for the class (plus gear and jumps) Please email Ilya@Skydivetemple.com or facebook Ilya Kats to confirm.
		HAVE YOU MET ZACH? When he was seven years old, Zach Bowen saw a demo jump on South Padre Island, and decided he wanted to be a skydiver: at 18, he started jumping. Currently, Zach serves at Ft. Hood, but when he can, he comes out and helps take tandem passengers for a ride. He is also a member of the Texas National Guard Demo Parachute team, inspiring new seven year olds. Zach also earned his private pilots license, and flies a quick silver light sport plane when he can. One of these days he hopes to get back to doing more fun jumps!
HOT AIR BALLOON JUMPS THIS WEEK		For anyone wanting to make a balloon jump, but were not able to, the balloon guys will be available this week to launch from Skydive Temple. Contact Mark Mark, or respond to the invite on the Skydive Temple phun jumper's Facebook page to sign up. Cost is still $125 per jumper per jump, and you must have at least a B-license to jump.
		DID YOU KNOW... You can access the United States Parachute Association's Skydiver Information Manual online for free! Chock-full of basic safety recommendations, advanced skill requirements, license and rating information and acting as a repository for the accumulated wisdom of the sport, the SIM is something every jumper should have access to. You can buy a hardcopy, download the smartphone app for android or iOS,(search "USPA" in the app store) download the .pdf file, or simply read the SIM online in a web browser. While the online version isn't currently linked to, you can still access it if you know the url; here is the link to Section 4, the Integrated Student Program, that includes the quizzes and jump videos which the current smartphone app lacks.
SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK		Last week, you read how you can adjust your landing pattern in high winds. This week: what to do in light or zero winds. It's easy to overshoot the target on calm days. A common hazardous mistake: S-turn in the pattern to bleed off altitude; this greatly increases the risk of canopy collisions, and confuses and alarms everyone else in the pattern. Instead, depending on the area you are overflying, if space permits, move the pattern entry point both farther upwind and farther to the side of the target, increasing the downwind leg, and increasing the length of the base leg. Enlarging the pattern this way allows you to bleed off altitude safely and predictably. If space permits, you can also delay the turn to base and take the downwind leg even farther downwind -- this also increases the length of your final approach leg. Remember to keep a sharp lookout for other traffic, especially when in the pattern. There are other techniques and control input you can use as well: more advanced skills you learn and practice in the canopy control course. Everyone can benefit from some focus and practice, so sign up for the next one you can attend!
Contact Skydive Temple at 254-947-3483 or email jump@skydivetemple.com