The USPA Board of Directors held its second meeting of the 2022-2024 term in Alexandria, Virginia, July 22-24. The meeting was open to all members and was broadcast via Zoom allowing members to attend virtually—108 members registered. Over the past three days, the USPA Board:
- Chose the recipients for USPA Service Awards:
- USPA Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Crouch D-16979
- USPA Gold Medal for Meritorious Achievement Award: Daniel L. Brodsky-Chenfeld D-8424, JaNette Lefkowitz C-35536, Cheryl A. Stearns D-4020
- USPA Regional Achievement Award: Michael T. Anderson D-9493, Kamuran 'Sonic' Bayrasli D-21394, Patrick W. Fortune D-23918, Robert D. Gates D-7262, Yang Luo C-51232
- Discussed database transition and new website coming this fall.
- Changed “Foreign Affiliate” to “International Affiliate Drop Zone” to better represent the inclusive nature of USPA.
- Added language to the SIM for tandem instructors to increase their understanding of what conditions would cause medical deficiencies that would require them to stand down from tandem duties.
- Added clarification to the SIM for wing-loading recommendations by replacing the current calculated number with a chart that outlines minimum canopy sizes by exit weight.
- Discussed a plan to solicit input from group members to better understand their needs and recommendations for future benefits.
- Reviewed input from examiners in the field for future implementation of tandem instructor handy-cam training. A final program should be approved in the February 2023 meeting.
- Required future single-point large formation records to provide video as evidence of performance.
- Agreed to design a perpetual trophy for recognition of recipients of the Ted Strong Award for Extraordinary Sportsmanship.
- Changed the USPA Collegiate National Skydiving Championships 4-way dive pool to match the USPA Beginner-class and NSL A-class dive pool.
- Planned a significant rework of SCM Chapter 11 (Artistic Events) and Chapter 13 (Canopy Piloting - Freestyle) to match the current ISC competition rules.
- Planned to submit a bid at the upcoming ISC Plenary Meeting in Sweden to host the 2024 ISC Plenary Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
- Discussed implementing an International Affiliate program. Countries without their own skydiving organizations would benefit from USPA's established program, while USPA’s international membership would see growth.
A full report of the meeting will appear in the October issue of Parachutist. The Board of Directors will hold their next meeting in conjunction with the Parachute Industry Association Symposium and the Drop Zone Operators Conference on February 24-26, 2023, in Reno, Nevada.