Runway Resurfaced
August 3rd, the Osage City Airport got a face lift as the runway was resurfaced. The City used a federal grant as they have in the past earmarked for airport improvements. The 95/5 grant is awarded based on the number of take offs and landings done at the airport, so our ops contribute greatly to that. Skydive Kansas is grateful to the City for being forward thinking and making improvements and preventative maintenance to the facilities we use, and we are looking forward to more of the tarmac being upgraded as well.

Different kind of tandem students
Tandem instructors Charlie Dyck (left) and Bill Hubbell (right) tandem skydive with unusual students: a monkey and a flamingo.
Photo by Turk Chapman


April 12th & 13th:
OPEN HOUSE!
Come see our hangar improvements... Free hot dogs! Spectators welcome!

Boys & Girls Club Fundraiser
To help raise money for their Programs, the Boys & Girls Club of Topeka is having their "Taste of Italy" on Friday, April 4, 2008 at 6:00 PM in the Heritage Hall (Kansas ExpoCentre-17th & Topeka Blvd). Join them for fine dining and drinks from Johnny Carino's. Plus enjoy Live and Silent Auctions. (Yes you can bid on the Tandem Skydive we are donating again this year.) Cost is $50 per person. Call the Club Office at 785-232-5699 to RSVP or visit their website:
www.bgctopeka.org

FAA passes 180 day repack cycle change
This rule change akes effect December 19. Here's the link to the Federal Register.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27459.pdf
We recently got clarification from Wichita FSDO's Rick Stevens who regularly inspects our operation. If your rig goes out of date before the rule takes effect, you need a repack. Once a reserve goes out of date, it cannot be put back into date except by inspecting and repacking. If however, your rig goes out after December 19, it is extended to 180 days.

Further clarification is necessary on some rigs during this small transition period: if you have a Cypres (original cypres 1) that needs a four year check or batteries replaced, according to manufacturer's recommendations, you may not exceed the 3 month leeway. In some cases, your rigger may have approved batteries being at the following repack, but extending the repack date another 60 days may exceed the 3 month leeway. If you are unsure, check your data card and/or contact your rigger. The FAA requires compliance with manufacturer's recommendations.

Additionally, when figuring your repack date, make sure you do NOT count 180 days as 6 months. 180 days is 25 weeks plus 5 days.

NEW JUMPstart program
For business & groups: Tired of sending yo ur staff to workshops with no real results? Lessons only to be forgotten the following week when it’s back to the office grind?
Leap into a new way of thinking...
This innovative one-day seminar draws analogies and connects metaphors between skydiving and real life. Particpants will make the ultimate connection and skydive! For more, see:
www.skydivejumpstart.com