Freefly Skills Camp, WPSPC Official 40th Birthday Celebration Weekend, Night Jumps, My last newsletter for Skydive Robertson.

Jump Jump Jump

Sorry folks, this will be my last newsletter for Skydive Robertson – hopefully someone from the club will be able to keep it up! It has been a pleasure, but it is time for me to hand over what I have put in place and to move on.

Don’t forget - This weekend is the Sports Skydivers Association (SSA) Freefly Skills Camp… Those interested in benefiting from the fact that the SSA are covering 50% of the coach’s slot, and from the experience that comes with Freefly legend in the sky Andre du Preez, should email andre@ondesign.co.za now to book coaching slots for this weekend.

Also coming up are night jumps… see below…

In-between the temperamental weather and a pilot mix up last weekend, most of those that persisted defiantly still got to jump. Solly came out to celebrate his last few days as a bachelor, dressed up like a lady with a giant fluffy toy frog strapped to him he was taken into freefall as a surprise by his good friends. He said “it was awesome”, referring to the skydive, not the being dressed up and having a toy frog attached to him I assume!

Ken Lewis also got back in the sky after a long absence.

Thanks Heinri van Zyl for flying over the Easter Weeekend after the pilot mix up.

There was also an unusual number of club related birthdays that were celebrated one time, resulting in unusually high levels of festive behavior. Happy Birthday wishes to: Werner Deetleefs; Henk Burnett; Andrea Fuidge; Bevan Cockcroft; Ivan Ayliffe; Alister McQueen; Marc Malinsky

There is a First Jump Course planned for every Saturday this month, classes are limited and your spot needs to be booked in advance.

Remember there is another long weekend coming up at the end of the month, on Friday 27^th April we will also be operating.

The operating weekends are updated on the Skydive Robertson Face Book Page… make sure you are joined up with the Skydive Robertson FB Group – Check under EVENTS https://www.facebook.com/SkydiveRobertsonWPSPC

Rock on

Mike Rumble

== Skydive Robertson ==

Skydive Robertson is based at the Robertson Airfield, a touch to the east of the picturesque and historic town of Robertson. We are 147km from Cape Town CBD and at the heart of the scenic world renowned Wine Route - “Route 62”.

The club operates on weekends and public holidays throughout the year. Facilities are limited and we suggest you bring along your own water, soft drinks, snacks, cooler boxes, charcoal, food, camping chairs and home comforts as you like.

We also can’t guarantee precise times so pack a picnic and come and make a day of it.

Bookings are essential for Tandem Skydiving and Student Training. If you are interested in trying out / starting skydiving please request our latest information and bookings document.

On 8th May the Western Province Sport Parachute Club WPSPC (trading as Skydive Robertson) celebrates its official 40th Birthday!

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skydive_Robertson

www.Skydive.co.za
083 462 5666
bookings@skydive.co.za

Join us on Face Book - www.facebook.com/SkydiveRobertsonWPSPC

== Chairman’s Comment ==

So we had more or less a “weather weekend”? Seems to be going around as I spent the Thursday in England driving through the snow! A big thank you to the duty staff for sticking it out for three days, with the limited interest there was and to those who came up to jump. Your determination (and company) is always appreciated, and most of you even got some good jumps in!

Everyone should know by now, we never stay home on the basis of a forecast. This is a tricky time of year lying ahead. In order to stay current, you may have to stare at a few cloudy skies. But those perfect midwinter days are more than worth it!

== Quote of the Week ==

“Just Skydive” – Anonymous

== This Weekend Coming – 14^th and 15^th April ==

SSA Freefly Skills Camp with Andre du Preez. The SSA are covering 50% of the coach’s slot. Bookings essential – email andre@ondesign.co.za to book your coaching slots.

Static Line First Jump Course (6-8 hours) – Saturday 08:30 – Bookings Essential
Saturday 08:30 - Wheels off first load
Sunday 08:30 - Wheels off first load
Sports Skydiving / Fun Jumping – Rock up and manifest
Static Line Progression – Arrive early, bring your log book
Accelerated FreeFall (AFF) Training – Booking Essential
Tandem Skydiving – Booking Essential
ISPs - Rock up and speak to manifest

Sports Skydivers – When you are packed and ready you can manifest.

First Time Jumpers - Advance bookings are essential for Tandem Skydiving and Static Line First Jump Courses. Please request our latest bookings and information document. Deposit secures booking.

Students - Static Line and AFF Students, please let us know when you intend coming out that we can plan accordingly. Please provide details and date of your last jump in email communications - currency requirements are detailed in the front page of your log book.

== South African National Skydiving Championships 2012 ==

Pretoria Skydiving Club will host the 2012 South African National Championships in:

· Formation Skydiving

· Artistic Events

· Atmonauti

· Canopy Piloting

· Canopy Formation

· Accuracy Landing

Training Days 25^th and 26^th April

Competition Dates 27^th April to 1^st May

For more information please see the Nationals 2012 Bulletin 1 available on the PASA website www.para.co.za and / or contact greatfun@mweb.co.za

== WPSPC 40th Birthday Official Celebration – 5^th and 6^th May 2012 ==

The weekend of 5-6 May we will be celebrating the clubs 40^th birthday anniversary. It will be an event weekend…. First up we will be having Night Jumps (see below). Information about other elements will be published over the coming weeks in these newsletters. It will be an Event Weekend not to be missed.

The 8th of May 2012 marks the official 40th Birthday of the Western Province Sport Parachute Club WPSPC (trading as Skydive Robertson), one of the longest established skydiving clubs in South Africa.

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skydive_Robertson

== Night Jumps Saturday 5^th May ==

For night jumps you will need to have a B-Licence or above.

The Night Jump registration form can be downloaded from here. Please fill it out and email it to secretary@skydive.co.za – no later than 1^st May. Loads will be pre manifested so no late entries.

PLACE:	Robertson
DATE:	5 May 2012
TIME:	Be at the DZ no later than 16h00 Safety Briefing will take Place 17h00 If you have not jumped at Robertson before you must make a jump during the day before you can attempt a night jump.
WHO CAN TAKE PART:	For all B-license and above
WHAT YOU MUST DO	Read the night jump section of the MOPS
WHAT YOU MUST BRING	Pasa cards Logbooks Illuminated altimeter Torches Glow sticks & clear tape
MANIFEST	Slot Rates are as follows 4500ft R240.00 9000ft R270.00 11000ft R290.00

== Skydive for Rhinos ==

The African Conservation Trust (ACT) Skydive for Rhinos campaign is going National this year. The target is 448 tandem skydives (one for each South African Rhino that fell prey to poachers in 2011) across at least 5 Drop Zones.

Have a look at this visual of how it all works:

http://www.projectafrica.com/images/stories/Links/Skydive_for_Rhinos_campaign_visual.pdf

and the website for more information:

http://www.projectafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=136&Itemid=144

and of course there is a Face Book Page:

www.facebook.com/skydiveforrhinos

== Master Rigger Comment ==

Do a proper gear check before each jump. 3 rings assembled correctly, handles fitted correctly, leg straps routed through buckles correctly, reserve and main pins seated correctly, slack in reserve ripcord, pilot chute cocked, pilot chute seated securely in its pouch. Many malfunctions

can be prevented with a proper gear check. Don't get complacent if you are jumping a lot. Check your gear before each and every jump.

Blue skies and happy hopping

Erik Vliegenthart

== Tandem Skydiving ==

A Tandem Skydive entails a short but detailed briefing, a flight to altitude, and off you go attached to your highly experienced Tandem Instructor for a 35-45 second thrilling freefall experience, rounded off with a spectacular 5-7 minute parachute ride.

First Time Jumpers - Advance bookings are essential for Tandem Skydiving. Please request our latest bookings and information document. Deposit secures booking.

== Static Line First Jump Course and First Parachute Descent ==

The Static Line First Jump Course entails 6-8 hours of theory and practical training, and climaxes with your First Static Line Parachute Descent. From there you can choose to progress with either Static Line Training, or Accelerated FreeFall (AFF) Training.

First Time Jumpers - Advance bookings are essential for Student Training. Please request our latest bookings and information document. Deposit secures booking.

== Student Progression ==

Make sure you stay current! Get out the DZ, do as many jumps as you can as often as you can, ask for help and advice whenever you need it, and keep at it!

The currency requirements are clearly stated in the front of your log book… You should do AT LEAST 2 jumps per month to stay current, and you should be working towards your A-Licence.

Remember, your chances of skydiving are greatly increased by your being at the DZ.

When you come out - DON’T FORGET to bring your log book, license and goggles.

== WPSPC History, by Pam ==

Good skydiving aircraft never get "old". This is what our forefathers thought of the Pilatus Porter

"The Pilatus Porter is a Swiss-made, high-wing aeroplane with short takeoff and landing capability, designed for use on high, short, mountain runways. It is incredibly rugged, has an in-flight door, takes nine or ten jumpers at a time, climbs like a fart in the bath and runs on paraffin. It might have been tailor-made for skydiving."

== Instructor Comment ==

Do not cross the runway below 1000 feet. Skydivers are meant to be all over the inside of aircraft at this altitude...not all over the outside.

A canopy is difficult for a pilot to see, particularly during sunrise and sunset when the sunlight is glaring through the aircraft windscreen.

The landing pattern into the area outside the clubhouse if you intend landing West to East (Clubhouse on your right, runway to your left) is a Right Hand Pattern.

The right hand pattern provides a clear space for you to fly into if you have to abort your turn because you are too low. If you are unsure ask an instructor.

On windless days the entire load must decide and agree on what the landing direction will be BEFORE you get into the aircraft.

Keep it predictable, keep it simple, keep it safe.

== Booking Requests and General Information ==

If you are interested in trying out / starting skydiving please request our latest information and bookings document.

We look forward to welcoming you and your friends and family / group to Skydive Robertson, and introducing you to the exhilarating sport of skydiving and parachuting.

Blue Skies and Great SkyDives...

Mike Rumble

For and on behalf of:
Western Province Sport Parachute Club (WPSPC) - Trading as Skydive Robertson

www.Skydive.co.za
bookings@skydive.co.za
Club Cell +27 (0)83 462 5666
GPS - S 33°48'46.55" / E 19°54'3.78"
www.facebook.com/SkydiveRobertsonWPSPC

Skydive Robertson
Western Province Sport Parachute Club (WPSPC)
CAA / ARO / 0004