Safety Day Saturday, March 11 a SUCCESS!
Starting with a breakfast at 8am, our Annual Safety Day kicked off Saturday, March 11th.  We had biscuits and gravy, waffles, scrambled eggs, and sausage. The Seminar began after 9am and featured several sections of information about rules, gear, aircraft, freefall, and canopy.  FAA Airworthiness Directive Inspector from the Wichita FSDO Rick Stevens graciously agreed to attend and present a question/answer session regarding regulations and how they pertain to skydiving. Long time tandem packer and coach Turk Chapman gave tips on keeping your gear safe. 

Is he singing?  Nope, Skydive Kansas Pilot Kermit Crane explains weight and balance where even skydivers can understand!

Two of our most senior pilots with many hours each, Kermit Crane and Grant Wittenborn, gave their perspective on aircraft procedures and safety. Jimmy Coiner offered his expertise as a freeflyer on exit and freefall safety and currency in the air.  Skydive Kansas Coach Rick Gardner incited discussion about canopy problems & malfunctions, while addressing wing loading and risks under canopy.  Then, an aside to the seminar, Rick presented the Ches Judy Safety Award on behalf of Air Capital Drop Zone owner Martin Myrtle to our DZO Jen Sharp. Finally, tandem instructor Bill Hubbell teamed up with Jeremy Struemph to explore red flags and risk management.  The best part of the day was a break with tradition as Mother Nature actually cooperated for the first time in several years: we got to make some jumps!  Comments from attendees were: "That was probably the best safety day I've attended." 
And another jumper remarked, "Thanks to everyone who presented. I found it beneficial. Alot of little reminders that we sometimes overlook or forget about." The following day, skydivers exercised safety by staying home since there were tornados in the area.