DIVISION 5 – CAMERA DESCENTS

11.5.1 Approval by DZSO All Camera Descents must be made only with the approval of a DZSO.
11.5.2 Minimum Experience A Parachutist must not carry a camera during a descent unless:
a) The Parachutist holds at least a Certificate ‘C’; and
b) The DZSO has given approval for the Parachutist to carry the camera concerned.
11.5.3 AFF Camera
A Parachutist must not carry a camera on an AFF descent unless the Parachutist holds at least a Certificate ‘D’.
11.5.4 Audible Altimeter
a) A Parachutist on any type of Freefly descent must wear a functioning audible altimeter. b) The altimeter must be: (i) Approved by the ASO or Chief Instructor, (ii) Mounted so that it is clearly audible throughout the descent; and (iii) Set to indicate the height above the DZ.

Crash sparks call for better skydiver education
By Kirsty Nancarrow
Posted January 24, 2012 11:48:01


The Australian Parachute Federation (APF) has recommended more education for skydivers after an investigation into an accident in far north Queensland last year.
Matt Lynam from Mackay spent several months in hospital after he crashed during a competition at Tully last September.
Brad Turner from the APF says it was the 27 year old's first competition and an investigation has confirmed he misjudged his final approach.
"Recommendations are for the ongoing education of people's awareness of where they exit aircraft and also checking the conditions of the weather," Mr Turner said.
"I mean obviously we are at the mercy of the weather.
"With parachutes we don't have power - we don't have propellers and engines to get us out of trouble."
Mr Lynam crashed onto a road about two kilometres from the drop zone.
Mr Turner says he suffered serious head and leg injuries.
"They found that unfortunately the jumper had made an error in his judgment in his final approach to landing," he said.
"Perhaps he could have made a decision higher up to find a better choice of landing area.
"Unfortunately getting closer to the ground we assume he might have tried to avoid powerlines and turned his parachute a bit too quickly."

John Cleese's character (who in a later sketch is called Bruce Beer) recites the seven faculty rules at the University of Woolloomooloo:^[2]

• No poofters.
  
• No member of the faculty is to maltreat the "Abos" in any way whatsoever—if there's anyone watching.
  
• No poofters.
  
• I don't want to catch anyone not drinking in their room after lights out.
  
• No poofters.
  
• There is no... rule six.
  
• No poofters.

Good Day CP Competitors,

The IPC CP Committee are proposing changes to the Distance and Speed rules in order to allow more drop zones throughout the world to host CP competitions and to ensure that these competitions can be conducted safely. We are also looking at the major injuries caused to competitors and this has contributed to some of the decisions that will be made over the next 2 weeks.

Speed:
• Straight course
• Dragging of water from entry gate to gate 4
• Score to be 0 if no dragging

Distance:
• Dragging of water on entry gate
• No other water contact allowed
• Competitor to stay below 1.5 meter mark between gate 1 and 5
• Gate 5 to be 14 meters apart from gate 4 and may be on land or water
• VE to competitors not staying within the 1.5 meter mark resulting in a 0 score
• Competitors landing between the entry gate and water gate #2 shall receive a result of 10 metres; between water gate #2 and water gate #3, 20 metres; between water gate #3 and water gate #4, 30 metres; and between water gate #4 and course marker #5, 40 metres.

It should be noted that these rules are NOT APPROVED yet and will only be approved during the IPC Plenary in Buenos Aires during February, coming into effect the 1st of March 2012. Only if these rules are accepted at the Plenary, will the records be retired and open to the setting of new records.

We are aware of the discussions that took place in Klatovy and have received many more suggestions afterwards and at the Dubai Cup. Many of the proposed changes were not destined for implementation this year but due to the long training season prior to the Mondial, it was decided to make use of this excellent opportunity for Pilots to train and familiarise themselves with the rules. There is normally only a 6 month period to train between rule changes and the next IPC competition. This year being the exception, it makes perfect sense to allow all level of pilots to get the necessary training prior to the World Championships.

It is important to realise that with change comes resistance and It will take time for everyone, judges included to familiarise themselves with the new rules. I hope this answers some of your questions.

Skydiver's determination takes her back to a high

BY ALISON BRANLEY

20 Jan, 2012 04:00 AM

A WOMAN who broke both legs in a skydiving accident at Branxton last year is back in the air following more than seven months of rehabilitation.
Parachuting enthusiast Megan Thorpe broke both femurs in May 2011 when she turned her parachute too low to the ground at Elderslie airfield.
She was flown to John Hunter Hospital and spent almost three weeks in hospital, which was followed by months of rehabilitation.
"It was human error, just bad judgment on my part," she said.
"Even just a couple of days after the accident I was determined it would not stop me."
Ms Thorpe returned to skydiving on Saturday against doctor's orders and jumped eight times at the weekend.
"Technically I hadn't got the all clear but I felt in myself I was able to land," she said.
"It was fantastic, it was like going back on a drug.
"It was what I had been waiting for for the past 7? months."
Ms Thorpe has been skydiving for the past two years and has 360 jumps under her chute.
She said her first jump went well, until she was about to land.
"Coming into the landing I was reliving the accident," she said.
"Just telling yourself don't stuff it up.
"Once I did the first jump it was just back to normal."
Alison Branley