Auckland Skydivers Inc

Para op’s are cancelled for Saturday 21st November 09, due to unavailability of ground crew.

We will be jumping Sunday 22nd November 09 from 10.00am.

Weather is not looking great for the weekend, so please ensure you check the DZ phone line for recorded weather cancellations & updates on (09) 417 7000 ext 7519

For urgent attention, you can contact the Operations officer on 0275 701 702

Just to confirm, there is no jumping today due to an aircraft issue. Sorry however this is beyond our control.
Please check the DZ phone line for further updates on 09 417 7000 ext 7519
Cheers,
Tim Fastnedge.
D473

Last weekend was another active weekend for jumping with a display on Fri and then a hand full of loads on Sat and Sun.
The display of Fri involved two loads for the Kumeu Fireworks Display. One load was sporties while the other was the CRW team. The CRW display involved a 6 way stack and impressive down plane. Thanks to Paree Del La Varis, the support team and jumpers for bringing this together. Read the rest of this entry »

Hi Team,

The jumping activity over Labour Weekend went well with 7 loads on Sat with the fine weather and 3 loads on Mon in between the clouds and rain. Sat was also a good days flying for Vicky (pilot) as she racked up a few more flights to sharpen her newly acquired jump pilot skills and then Jed (new trainee pilot) managed well on Mon with the mind overloading static line jump runs and tricky weather conditions. Thanks to the usual suspects of Tim F, Dave C, Paree D, Jim M and Tam for the DZ Controlling and JM duties while thanks to Ian Drayton also for picking up the Manifest duties over the weekend.

Congrats to all of those first jump students that got in the air on Mon. For those pers that still need to complete your jumps, you should be good to go first thing on Sat.

Jumping activity will be looking to kick off around 0900 on Sat and 1000 on Sun this weekend. Get down to the DZ with some time to spare so we can get in the air at the soonest. The Canopy Safety and Piloting Course planned for this weekend is still all go. This will add to the vibrant nature of the DZ so we’ll catch you do there this weekend.

As usual, check here or call 09 417 7000 x 7519 for updates on the weekend’s para club activity and timings.

Jumping is planned this weekend Saturday 24th & Monday 26th.
This months first jump course is happening on Sunday 25th.
Read the rest of this entry »

Hi Team,

Although last Sat morning turned it on and we had the DZ Operating Team available there were not enough jumpers to get a load up in the air. Those mornings often turn it on so give the club a call if you think you could be keen for a jump and make the most of those mornings before the weather packs in like last weekend.

As previously advised, we’re all set for the next Static Line First Jump Course on this weekend (Labour Weekend). The course is pretty much full but contact Tam (justin.tamehana@nzdf.mil.nz) if you want to put your name down as a reserve or register your interest for the next course. I’m sure we’ll get one more in before xmas.

As before, we’re planning towards para ops for Sat24Oct and Mon26Oct (1st Jump Cse) this weekend, there are no pilots available on Sun25Oct. We’re still on the look out for any pers that can commit to running the Manifest during the day. This weekend is looking good weather wise so hopefully we can get a bunch of loads up in the air. To facilitate this effectively we need someone running the Manifest that can keep the loads ticking over. If you can put your hand up for this role please contact Tim Fastnedge (tim@techspanonline.com).

Regarding the TV filming which took place down at the DZ a while back, this story will air on TV3 (Pacific Beat St) this Sat24Oct at 1130AM and again at 1900 on Maori TV. Check it out.

The ASC Para Club Committee got together earlier this week to cover off on our ‘to do list’. The key points to note:
Read the rest of this entry »

Hi Team,

Last Sunday turned on a fine day for jumping and we managed to get five loads completed in between the military ops. We even got Karen Adams in the air after 10 years between her 122nd and 123rd jump!

Regarding this weekend, looks like the weather might get the better of us again, still, Tim F has put a ‘DZ Operating Team’ on stand by and will update the website and phone on the likelihood of para ops, if the weather fines up you should be good to get down to the DZ for a jump or two.

As previously advised and as per the attached advert, we’re all set for the next Static Line First Jump Course on Labour Weekend (Next Weekend). There are still slots left so please contact Tam if you want to secure one of the last places on this course. The intent is to run the ground training on Sun25Oct and complete the jumps on Mon26Oct. Note: Although we’ll also be planning towards para ops for Sat24Oct, there’s currently no pilots available on the Sun25Oct for para ops.

As also advised, ASI, in conjunction with ASC, the CAA and Aerosports NZ are holding a Canopy Safety and Piloting Course on the weekend of Sat31Oct/Sun1Nov. Full details are here. This is a great opportunity to learn from the best – for free! So make the most of the opportunity and get registered.

As usual, check out www.skydiveclub.co.nz and 09 417 7000 x 7519 for updates on the weekend’s para club activity and timings.

Blue Skies,

Brandon Purdue

ASI, in conjunction with ASC, the CAA and Aerosports NZ are holding a Canopy Saftey and Piloting course on the weekend of October 31st.

The course will be run by Robert McMillan. Robert is a highly experienced pilot from Australia. He has represented Australia at the World Meet in Canopy Piloting four times (placing 4th) and is responsible for the canopy piloting course used by the APF.

The course is aimed at beginner to intermediate canopy pilots and has a strong focus on safety and the dynamics of your canopy and its control range.
Read the rest of this entry »

Hi Team,

For those people keen to get a jump in this weekend, we should be good to go on Sunday weather wise. Check here and 09 417 7000 x 7519 for updates on the weekend’s para club activity and timings as they shape up.

Regarding other club updates,

• Congrats to Hannah Van Der Veldan, Alex Robertson, Dan White, Rochelle Rowe for completeing their first jump course a couple of weeks back. Catch you down at the drop zone for further progression jumping. I understand the TV filming for Pacific Beat St also went well. Expected air dates are: 11:30am on 24/10 on TV3 and 7:00pm on 24/10 on Maori TV.
• ASI secured funding from CAA a while back to run a Canopy Safety & Handling Skills Camp which we’re currently targeting to complete at the end of the month. More details to follow once the camp is firmed up.
• We’re also now planning towards the next Static Line First Jump Course which already has a bunch of slots locked in. Please contact Tam (justin.tamehana@nzdf.mil.nz) if you want to tentatively book on this course until the weekend is firmed up.
• There’s now a bunch of drinks (powerade, red bull, coke/l&p etc) and food (choc bars, chips, nuts, noodles etc) available for purchase at the clubrooms. These are priced at pretty much break even prices to ensure club members have easy options on hand to get rid of those ‘fuzzies’ during the day. The provision of this food and drink will work on an honesty system but please see the manifest to clarify as required. Furthermore, the committee has been looking into our options for the kitchen facilities. This provision of food and drinks is the first step along with replacing the broken microwave so you can heat up those noddles etc. Once we have a freezer in place I’m sure we can have some pies and ice blocks on hand for sale also.
• The committee will be getting together again in a couple of weeks to delve into the progress of our ‘to do list’. We’ve got most things covered but let us know if you think we need to be looking into anything to advance the club as we track towards Summer.

Blue Skies,

Cheers,

Brandon Purdue

The following just out from the USPA:

In the last year, USPA received two reports of a packing error that led to unusual pilot-chute-in-tow malfunctions. Thankfully, in each case the reserve deployed cleanly past the main pilot chute and bridle, and the jumpers landed uneventfully under their reserve canopies. There have been rumors of at least two other cases of this same malfunction occurring with other jumpers. Neither of these was reported directly to USPA, so we suspect that this issue may be more widespread than we are hearing about. This malfunction has occurred on both a United Parachute Technologies Micron and a Velocity Sports Infinity container. However, it can occur on almost any container under the right set of circumstances. This type of malfunction is easily avoidable, but you need to know what to look for.

Read the rest of this entry »