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From: jerrys@mobby.umiacs.umd.edu (Jerry Sobieski)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Student Training (was: Re: Fatality In Colorado)
Message-ID: <32510@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 5 Apr 91 18:20:53 GMT
References: <2734.27FA00E3@ehsnet.fidonet.org> <1991Apr5.001044.20834@athena.mit.edu> <1991Apr5.000233.424@husc3.harvard.edu>
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Reply-To: jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu (Jerry Sobieski)
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In article <1991Apr5.000233.424@husc3.harvard.edu> galperin@husc9.harvard.edu (Gregory Galperin) writes:
>In the June '90 _Parachutist_, Paul Sitter (D-2714, USPA's Safety & Training
>Committee member) reports:
>
>	"...it appears that about 50% of skydivers reaching A license[s]
>	 were graduates of an AFF program."
>
>There's a pretty good statistic for you, John.  Let's see, with about 1,000
>new A-licenses a year, and at least 7 AFF jumps before graduating, that makes
>at least 3,500 AFF student jumps -- every year!

I just spoke with Clint Vincent (USPA Safety and Training Dir).  He says the 
USPA does not have any firm numbers as to AFF jumps made last year.  There
are no reporting requirements past those necessary for rating renewals.

However, extrapolating from "personal knowledge" and the above numbers...

The fact that 50% of A-licenses were AFF grads might give you a very bottom
figure for number of annual AFF jumps.  But the 3500 mentioned above is
*very* low.  At Chambersburg last year we trained 600+ 1st jumpers.  I would
guess 90% were AFF.  I know of 2 or three other DZs that between them would
exceed 3500 jumps - just in 1st jumps, not to mention subsequent levels.

I would guess the number of Aff jumps far exceeds 3500, probably well over
10,000 nationwide.  And remember, there are international AFF programs
using USPA rated AFF jms also, and the military does AFF as well.  

While I know there are renegade DZs that use similar training programs w/out
USPA rated JMs, I believe they are few.  The USPA AFF certification course
is grueling.  And expects a great deal of air skills.  The fact that this
is the 1st AFF fatallity since the programs inception (I was AFF certified in 
'82) is really remarkable and attests to the thoroughness of the program, its
administrators (USPA), evaluators, and especially the Jumpmasters and 
Instructors.  

Anyone who doubts the validity of the program's public performance record
just isn't properly informed.

Blue Skies!
Jerry
AFF/I-82 D-7644

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