1) What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected to the BOD?
I’d like to bring change to the BOD. Fresh ideas, and perspective, openness to communications, and enthusiasm back to the membership.
2) How do you feel about the current GM program?
I don’t like it. It’s a conflict of interest, drain on resources, and doesn’t do a thing for the general membership. If DZO’s want a network or trade organization, then they should create one. The plan proposed by the PIA 7 or 8 years ago was good step, it just never received support. I do think that GM program is not going to go away anytime soon, so it’s up to the members to set it’s direction. This can be done by electing BOD members who’s focus is the general membership and then having them participate in the GM committee meetings.
3) How do you feel about DZ`s that engage in deceptive Marketing practices?
I think it’s a blurry line as to what is considered “deceptive”. I do not support DZ’s that use illegal tactics, and don’t favor ones that try to slander other DZ’s. Exaggerating things like safety records, or making untrue statements about their operations are not big on my list either. I don’t believe in sugar coating the sport. I do believe that the USPA cannot be responsible for regulating the business methods of Drop Zones. I strongly believe that jumpers who don’t believe in the practices of any DZ should vote with their feet and wallets, and those that work in the industry should believe in working for DZ’s that meet their personal standards. It’s what I’ve done.
4) What is your opinion on a wing loading BSR?
I like the idea, the challenge is ironing out the specifics. I think that as much effort that is put into a Wingloading BSR, we should be putting 5 times that amount into education. We should train and demand that the instructors in this sport are capable of teaching canopy flight. Canopy courses are a good thing, but shouldn’t the information to create a safe skydiver be available from ALL those we call instructors?
5) Do you feel that adding the promise to separate High Performance Landing by by time or space to the GM Pledge has been effective and should the USPA try to do more about this issue?
I think it’s probably helped at DZ’s that didn’t already have some sort of system in place already. There is no reporting system to tell if it’s been implemented at all USPA GM DZ’s. I do feel the USPA can do more through education.
6) Would you support increasing the experience level required for a coach rating?
Yes. I think that we’ve had a change in the sport from the “100 jump Jumpmaster” days, and today the sport is not placing the importance of the position in the minds of many of those seeking the rating. We cannot rely on DZ’s to not employ those that don’t make the cut, it’s too easy for their motives to be at conflicting interests. I believe there is nothing to be harmed, or lost by increasing the requirements, possibly adding a time in sport requirement, or even an endorsement requirement, in an effort to show a level of commitment to become part of the instructional process.
I also believe the USPA can do more than just “test” candidates for the various instructional ratings. We have an ISP for the students, why not an in depth training regiment, tips, methodology, etc. for the instructors as well? What about furthering education? One of the biggest disservices we’ve done to the whole sport is create instructors and then not update them to the modern methods.
7) How could we improve the current Election process?
On line voting.
What is your opinion on a GM inspection program?
I’m not in favor of the GM program to begin with. I think the logistics, and costs of such a program are a bit overwhelming, and what would the penalty be? Removal from a program that increasingly more and more members are dissatisfied with? I think that if *someone* were concerned about this issue, then *someone* with no USPA affiliation might start a “watchdog website”, but I wouldn’t know anything about that.
