Is currency really important, or is it just a fab?

I'll let you be your own judge, weather you think that staying current is as important as is stressed by uspa, and experienced jumpers, all I can do, is tell my story.
About a year ago today, life events occurred, that would put jumping nearly out of the picture. Job loss, my girlfriend becoming pregnant, marriage, new job, no money, etc. With a baby on the way, I had to really question if jumping was for me. February 2, 2008, was the last jump I had the privilege of making, before my reserve went out of date. Each month, I toiled with getting my reserve repacked, selling my main for some extra money, or giving up jumping all together. Time just kept slipping away.. wedding in march, April, still no jumping, May, I'm getting to my limit of losing my currency by USPA's standards. June, Prices have gone up, and can I really afford it? I still need a repack! July, here is my baby! 6lb. 7oz. Lauren Saunsuray Sherman. She is gorgeous! Looking at here, I am really questioning if I will jump again. August, every plane I hear, I look up and dream of jumping. The worst part, was when my job placed my at the Fullerton airport for three Saturdays in a row, 18 hour shifts. I chose the night shift, so I didn't have to see them planes tease me all day.
Now, here we are in September, and I am nearly eight months without a jump. My currency is out the door, but I am ready to make a jump. I bring my reserve in to get repacked, and some repairs, as well as check what the dropzone charges for re currency training. Level E, $200 Whoa!!! Coach jump.. $100 Heck no!!! Well, I could find someone with a coach rating and pay for their slot, but I am shy, I know, those of you who know me, might not believe that, but it is true.

Sept. 20, and my rig is ready to go, talk to my rigger, and find that it will need some repairs from the factory, but will not fall apart, if i choose to jump it. *at least not yet* I pack my main, go up to the office, give them my updated reserve card, and put some money on my account. Down to manifest, and there I am, on a 40 minute call! I chose to do a hop and pop, which really means, 5,000 feet exit, but will have the sky to myself.
So much is running through my mind, making sure that I am not forgetting anything. Visualize the different types of malfunctions, and how to deal with them. Put my rig on, and practice my EP's. Whoa! Note to self... my handles are not where they used to be. I have gained some weight, and the reserve must be sitting a little different. Practice several times, get the new location into my memory. Chat with friends, run through the scenarios, and it is time to gear up and go!
On the plane, I am a little nervous, but don't want to show it. There is one other hop and pop, so I let him go first. Funny thing is, once the plane was off the ground, and the door was open, my nerves calmed down, and I was back in familiar territory. 5,000ft, and I am ready to go. Watch first hop and pop, give him some time, then do a cannonball exit. I was worried that I would not be stable if I just went straight out, and as you know, appearance is everything! Time to go belly to earth.. achk! whoa, huh, ARCH! potato chip, oh, ok, there it is! Where is the other guy? oh well, it is just he and myself, I know he is not near me. Track, good, still got it. It has all come back to me. Now, time to pull! YAHOOOOOO!!!!!! Just like I remember it. look up, and see that wonderful blue ball turn into a fully inflated canopy. Control check, yup, still good. flare check, ok, that'll work. A little playing, and time to land. Well, my accuracy is not all that great, but then.. it never was.

If I ever get to the point, where I am eight months without a jump, I will diffidently not go, without some extra training. I now see how important it is, to do a quick retrain, not only to ease the nerves, but to make sure that I am ready to go. I survived, made it to the ground safely, and am now recurrent, but will still have to take it slow, to get back to the level where I once was (a crappy flyer who just likes to have fun)

Airplane safety

Skydivers are people who look at the risks, assess them, and make calculated risks off of the information at hand. They are very safety concious, checking gear over, then checking it again and again. Even having friends check it for them. They do this vigourous routine before every jump. But they must not forget the things that our out of thier control; such as the aircraft and its pilot.

As a skydiver, I am guilty of getting on an aircraft, without thinking twice about what maintenance has been put into that particular plane. I assume that it is in working order, and get on. This is not taking calculated risks, like i should be, this practice is putting myself, in more danger than needed.
Every aircraft has a maintenance log that one should check, before getting on the plane. Make sure that the plane is up-to-date on its maintenance. Do a visual inspection. Walk around the plane, make sure it is not falling apart.
Then, there is the pilot. Who is s/he? what is their qualifications as a pilot. What kind of training do they have. It is required that jump pilots have a commercial pilots license, does yours? Have you seen it? Check! If the pilot has the propper license, then they would not be afaid, or angered to show it. Ask the pilot questions about the aircraft. What is the maximum operating weight for that plane. What are the stall speeds, and more importantly, has the pilot taken any training on stalls/spins; crucial skills not required to take to become a pilot.

Before getting on an airplane to skydive, do your homework!!! It may just be your own life that you are saving.

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USPA BOD MEETING Feb 7-10

Well, seems as though the USPA has had one of it's meetings. Unfortunately, it was held in Florida, making it impossible for me to make it. Fortunately, for me, an 'internet pot-stirrer' has helped bring the meeting to the members of the organization. He took some video and posted it for all to see. Please, watch these videos, and help yourself come to a better understanding of what is going on inside the USPA.

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Thank you for taking the time and watching the videos, it will help better understand what the USPA is, and what they stand for.

LINKS

I've got some really cool links on this site, feel free to check them out and see where they take you. Heck, you may just learn a few things!

10 way speed star

Bummer! I was going to participate in the Elsinoer 10-way speed star, but the last week, it has been raining, and the outcast for today was not looking good. Due to the weather outlook, the event was postponed until March 8, 2008. Normally, this would not be a problem. However, March 8, is my wedding day.

I tried to convince my fiancee to move the wedding day, but , go figure, that cute lil wuffo of mine wouldn't budge. Oh well. There is always next year. I was really looking forward to the even too. Wanted to do the two plane exit... 5 in one, 5 in the other, and try to meet up.