Auckland Skydivers Inc

Jump Start is GO !

Please go to the following link for full details >> www.jumpstart.org.nz

Team,

Its almost Jump Start weekend!  A lot of hard work from behind the scenes from many of our club members has and is being done and this weekend is looking positive for the big event to be held on Saturday, March 6 (with the reserve day being the Sunday).  I know there are quite a few of you jumping and supporting the event, it’s a fantastic cause and idea.  If you are not jumping there are plenty of ways to show your support for CanTeen and Project K and the young New Zealanders who will be taking their first tandem jump this weekend!, check out the website www.jumpstart.org.nz. The weather for the weekend is forecasted as: 

• March 6 Max 22  Min 14  Fine, showers about.  Strengthening southeasterlies
• March 7 Max 22  Min 15  Showers with southwesterlies

On Jump Start weekend (Mar 6 & 7), the Para Club will not be operating but we will be up and running the following weekend with good stories and pictures to share.  Other activities happening in our club are: another Static-Line 1st Jump Course to be held on the afternoon of Wednesday March the 17th.  I already have names from keen people who have emailed, so if you are also keen for your 1st jump course then email me back to register.  The starting time will depend on when students are available to attend but aiming at between 1300-1500 on Wednesday March 17.  Also coming up in early April is the DZSO course - commencing Tuesday the 6th of April, see below for more details….

For more info and updates, check the website www.skydiveclub.co.nz and give the Para Clubrooms a ring, 09 417 7000 extension 7519 for updates on Para club activity and timings. See you at Jump Start this weekend!

Blue Skies,

Cheers,

Mark Beccard

This has been posted on the NZPF website for sometime now, but it has become clear many may still be confused about the law governing their ‘parachute certificate’.  A parachute certificate is an CAA recognised ‘aviation certificate’ and so is subjet to control over its use.

In New Zealand the law requires you to hold a parachutist certificate issued by the Parachute Organisation that the Drop Zone you are jumping at is operating under.

Today, in New Zealand we have three CAA approved 149 certificate issuers – these are NZPIA, NZSA, PARANZ 

Please dowload this clarification notice issued by our national sporting body – New Zealand Parachute Federation ( NZPF )
http://www.nzpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/caa-certificate-clarification.pdf

Team,

The weekend saw some great weather and a good amount of loads going up as well as a display on the Sunday.  This weekend is looking like another good weekend – don’t be fooled by the rain today, its not staying long and is just getting out of the way for the weekend, the forecast is:

SAT  27 FEB      Max 26  Min 15           Long fine spells, southeast dying out
SUN 28 FEB      Max 24  Min 16          Mainly fine, sea breezes

Jump Start is revving up for the weekend of the 6th of March with the reserve day of March the 7th.  The Para club will not be operating for the day that Jump Start occurs.

On March 11 our Para Club Committee will be meeting to discuss a few options and future goals for developing the club.  If you have any suggestions to be discussed, let me know and if you are keen to get involved in some activities related to the committee we would be very keen to hear from you.  Its likely we will have some projects that require extra hands and these can be fitted around the any work and life commitments you have.  So email me if you are interested or have any questions.

The weekend is looking good for jumping,  if you have any questions on the day’s activities, give the Para Clubrooms a ring, 09 417 7000 extension 7519, also as usual check out www.skydiveclub.co.nz.  See you at the DZ!

Blue Skies,

Cheers,
Mark Beccard

Team,

Its been a bit of a wait but this weekend is looking like its going to be perfect skydiving weather with two pristine days forecasted:

Saturday        20 Feb  Max 25°C MIN 16°C               Fine, southwest winds
Sunday          21 Feb  Max 25°C MIN 16°C               Fine, southwest winds

We have the DZ teams in place for both days and the aircraft is fresh back from the Engineer with a clean bill of health.  It’s a good weekend to make up for lost time and let’s get the people and loads in this weekend to keep jumping till sunset !  This weekend we also have some club members participating in a display on Sunday and Sunday also plays host to some of the remaining jumpers on their first-jump course, good to see we will have some new members to the sport and club. 

In the coming months a DZSO Training Course run by our CSO, Bruce Thomson, scheduled for April, scroll down to see more info.  Attached is also a update of our club written for the NZPF Newsletter.  Thanks for all the suggestions for the club so far and keep them coming – we are looking at them all, feel free to email myself or skydiveclub@nzdf.mil.nz. And don’t forget, check the website www.skydiveclub.co.nz  and give the Para Clubrooms a ring, 09 417 7000 extension 7519 for updates on the weekend’s para club activity and timings. See you at the DZ this weekend!

Blue Skies,

Cheers,
Mark Beccard

Team,

The aircraft CRW was being picked up today and through a pre-flight check a problem was identified that can’t be fixed before the weekend so we no longer have a serviceable aircraft for jumping this weekend (13-14 FEB).  So, to confirm, sad to say there will be no jumping at the Para club this weekend – I will send an update next week and let you know how likely we will be jumping the following weekend.  Conspiracy theorists may say it’s a ploy to keep us on the ground for Valentines day but unfortunately it’s the truth, hope you have an enjoyable weekend nonetheless

Blue Skies,

Cheers,
Mark Beccard

Team,

There is a good chance we will have good weather to jump this weekend with the best chance being Saturday morning with metvuw.com indicating not much cloud or wind and holding for that afternoon as well as the Sunday, however metservice tells a different story.  Best idea, as usual, wake up early and look out the window and we hope to see you at the dropzone !  So, weather permitting, we are jumping this weekend – Saturday normal kick-off from 0830 and Sunday from 1000.  If you are wondering if we are jumping, give the clubrooms a ring.

If there are any suggestions for our club, feel free to email myself or skydiveclub@nzdf.mil.nz, we plan to have a committee meeting in the very near future so email through any suggestions we could discuss. And don’t forget, check the website www.skydiveclub.co.nz and give the Para Clubrooms a ring, 09 417 7000 extension 7519 for updates on the weekend’s Para club activity and timings. See you at the DZ this weekend!

Blue Skies,
Cheers,  
Mark Beccard

Team,

It really feels like summer doesn’t it?  This weekend is looking to be a good weekend to jump:

Saturday 06 Feb         Max 24°C MIN 16°C       Fine apart from some morning cloud. Sea breezes.
Sunday 07 Feb           Max 25°C MIN 15°C       Fine apart from some morning cloud. Sea breezes.
In typical Auckland fashion, the cloud is likely to burn off by 0800 to reveal a stunning day – so if there is morning cloud don’t be dismayed, head down to the DZ.  This Saturday is also Waitangi Day and surprisingly there will be no 15% surcharge; it must be the best place to be this weekend, just $45 to altitude!  Its going to be a good weekend and Jumpstart is also fast approaching – it is exactly 1 month from this weekend until Jumpstart!  For more information head to www.jumpstart.org.nz.

We have had a good response to ‘learn how to pack’ and this training session will occur late afternoon on the 10th of February at a location TBC – if you are interested, email me to register.  This Saturday kick-off time is 0830 and Sunday we will be jumping from 1000.  If there are any suggestions for our club, feel free to email myself or skydiveclub@nzdf.mil.nz and don’t forget, check the website www.skydiveclub.co.nz or give the Para Clubrooms a ring, 09 417 7000 extension 7519 for updates on the weekend’s para club activity and timings.  See you at the DZ this weekend!

Blue Skies,
Cheers, 
Mark Beccard

Please be advised there will be no para op’s at Whenuapai today.  Issues relating to the aircraft will not permit safe op’s, so today’s jumping has been cancelled.

Team,
The weather may have been against us on the weekend but summer is not yet over and consistent fine weather should be here soon!  POPS unfortunately did not get jumping but they said they will be back, which is fantastic.  The weather for this weekend is looking promising and quoted from the metservice.co.nz:

Saturday 30 Jan  Max 22°C MIN 15°C       Long fine spells, chance shower. Southeasterlies
Sunday 31 Jan   Max 24°C MIN 16°C       Long fine spells, chance shower. Southeasterlies

Yesterday, Wednesday the 27th, we had 6 new jumpers who underwent training and are scheduled for their first jump this Saturday.  On the 10th of February, we are running a packing session, so if you want to learn how to pack – register your interest by emailing me back.  This Saturday and Sunday we are jumping but please note – Saturday is the normal kick-off time of 0830 but for Sunday the aircraft will be ready from 1100 – but the clubrooms will be opened at the normal time (1000) so you can get down early and ready to be on the first load!

Once last thing, we will not be jumping on Auckland Anniversary this Monday 01 FEB, no pilot available.

If there are any suggestions for our club, feel free to email myself or skydiveclub@nzdf.mil.nz, we plan to have a committee meeting in the very near future so email through any suggestions we could discuss.  And don’t forget, check the website www.skydiveclub.co.nz and give the Para Clubrooms a ring, 09 417 7000 extension 7519 for updates on the weekend’s para club activity and timings.  See you at the DZ this weekend!

Blue Skies,
Cheers,
Mark Beccard