USPAs age limits

The age limits imposed are based upon the experiences of those who have been in the evaluation process for many years. May I remind you that in most states, 16 is the minimum age for drivers due to 'maturity' (what a bad word to have to use) and judging one's ability to make life or death decisions.

In our legal 'bring suit against everyone for anything we've done and blame it on them' climate, the lawyers explained it to me as follows: A parent does not have the legal rite to sign away their child's rites (spelling?) unless they have been appointed as the child's guardian by a court. (Talk about the crap you have to go through to do this!) Thus, if a child/minor gets injured, the court can appoint a 'friend of the court' to represent the child/minor, ignoring the parent's and child's desires and seek punitive action against all parties. The way to avoid this is to make sure that the legal situation is such that the waiver is enforceable, thus restrict it to those who are of legal contract making age.

In the case of Mike Mullins, yes, it is a very unique situation where the parent runs a significant operation in the industry and was able to consistantly ignore the USPA BSRs on age. So, now we look at what his kids have to put up with: No jumps in violation of the BSRs can be counted towards ratings or awards. (Big deal, right?) No one can dispute the fact that his kids are excellent and qualified jumpers. Perhaps this is something that needs to be addressed in a future BOD meeting.

Blue Skies & Safe Dives from Mike Turoff, Candidate for USPA's BOD (National Position) Co-author (with Dan Poynter) of Parachuting, The Skydivers Handbook Instructor Examiner and Tandem Examiner, Jump Pilot

[snip]

Which is a very uncommon situation for someone to be in.

Why? I mean, no harm no foul. It was his kid. This kind of situation is VERY unique. Change virtually any fact of the case and it changes everything. There will be maybe 12 folks at any one time that will even have the opportunity to do such a thing. It's over. It's past. It's not something that is likely to become an issue in the future. While it was going on was the time to do what ever we were going to do. It's done now. Let it go.

Kevin O'Connell

In the case of Mike Mullins, yes, it is a very unique situation where the

You have to be a member of the Club to break the Club Rules. Jeff Mullins is not a member of the USPA,therefore he can't break their rules! Get it right.

Chris Welker

I'm sorry but I disagree. USPA should not be making risk management decisions for a DZ. That is there responsibility. Or else, where will it stop? Imagine all the requirements USPA could impose? Required AAD's, required helmet, shoes, dytters, wing loadings of 1:1 or less. No, it's a prickley road to travel when USPA tries to 'regulate to help the DZ'.

As for CReW Mike and O'Connel, I know. I require AAD's at my DZ. That's been hashed about to the n'th degree but most people with common sense would agree it is different for a DZ to require them then to have USPA require them.

But we all know you disagree so go ahead and slam. It's expected.

Buzz Fink

This is a perfect example of an industry imposing much higher regulations and standards upon itself, not due to any federal regulation concerns, but rather the litigious nature of our society.

For instance, FAR Part 105 says nothing about age. See; http://www.faa.gov/avr/AFS/FARS/far-105.txt

And FAR Part 91 allows properly trained individuals to fly solo in a glider or balloon at age 14. See; FAR 61.83(b) http://www.faa.gov/avr/AFS/FARS/far-61.txt

I do find it interesting that the current USPA BSRs and industry standards are -well- beyond what the federal regulations require or would even suggest.

It is an 'interesting' topic.

Paul

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<devil's advocate mode on>

Does the USPA have a fund to help defend Group Member Drop Zones against litigation?

If so, then it seems only prudent to establish guidelines to help keep costs in check.

<off>

Buzz, you're absolutely correct in that it is a slippery slope toward massive over regulation, but ask yourself why you've gone further than some of the regulations of the USPA.

I assume you did so to not only protect your clients (skydivers), but to at least some extent yourself as well.

The USPA is only doing the same thing.

Like I said, it's 'interesting.'

NO!!!

Yes. But that is my decision. I choose not to let a 17 year old go through AFF due to my feelings that the legal risk is far too great, even if I think he can handle it just fine. I do not want to stop someone else from allowing him to jump. That's his call.

Not true. They are trying to be 'Big Brother' in this instance.

Thanks for the well thought out response. It's nice to have a civil discussion on the NG instead of the usual name calling so many use.

Blue Skies!

Ok, I am only 17 and have almost 200 jumps. I can say that the minimum age stuff is really annoying. I think that 16 is a good age but I think that a DZ should respect the fact that if someone has a skydiving license, that they are capable of handling themselves. I have been turned down by other DZs because I am not 18 even though I have a C license. Fortunately after December I won't have to worry about that anymore but it is still very aggrivating when people ask you to come with them to another DZ for a weekend and you can't go. Or you have to have your mom and/or dad come along and sign a waiver with a signature from a note of the republic. Do you think that if USPA didn't say anything about an age limit, that a DZ would? I don't. But this is just my personal experience.

Safe landings, Alex C-30872

Good point. I always wondered how you spelled 'notary public'.Hehe.

Safe landings, Alex C-30872

So there are more kids out there besides the Mullins boys who proofe that the are able to skydive at such an age!

As far as I remember there's another guy (Justin?) at Skydive USA who made his first AFF jump at his 16th birthday with his parents (the DZ owners?) this summer.

You kids rock!

Editor and Webmaster ** skyXtreme ** - The Skydive Online Magazine

What? Germany doesn't have a 16y.o. age limit to skydive? Norway does. Please go back to your backwards country ;o)

Espen ALF#1