3/5/2007

skydive update

It's been almost 6 weeks since our last update and plenty has happened. To start off, an announcement from TD:

As many of you know, I started my transition out of the drop zone business last season and have pursued a new career path. As of March, that career path is taking me to California. I had mixed emotions when the opportunity in California presented itself. Skydiving, especially CSC, has been such a huge part of my life. When I got into the dz business, everything else came second. After I knocked up Shannon, it became harder and harder to commit the time it takes to run the dz. It wasn’t fair to my family, the dz, or Doug that I stay on as a partner. As a result, Doug is now the sole HMFIC and I am taking a promotion with GreenPoint that is sending me to Santa Cruz, CA.

I am very excited about this new endeavor, but a big part of me will miss CSC for a number of reasons:

  • The working relationship Doug and I had was about as good as a partnership could be. It was always a pleasure to come to work and we had a lot of fun running the joint. We complemented each other well and I have no doubt that Doug will continue to keep CSC and Sky Team Aviation on the cutting edge. I’ve met a lot of DZOs, and believe me, CSC is very lucky to have Doug at the helm.
  • The staff, in particular Lisa and Nathan Dexter. The dz just wouldn’t run as smoothly without this pair. They have been a tremendous asset to us especially in this transition period. Lisa is the first manifest byatch that I felt I could trust when Doug or I weren't around. She could always hold down the fort and do it with a smile and excellent attitude. Nathan always made the correct safety decisions for our students and helped keep the staff in line so I wouldn’t have to fire anyone when I came back from vacation.
  • The jumping community of CSC is the friendliest, craziest, most accepting (if you’re not a dzo) group of skydivers I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Drinking a few beers around the bonfire (or a lot, Softcheck) after a day of jumping (or a half day of jumping, Softcheck) with your fellow skydivers is what it’s all about.
  • The Otter available to CSC is the safest and best maintained in the industry and will continue to be. It will be tough for me to find an aircraft that nice to jump and have sex in.
  • The Skydiving for MS boogie is always a highlight at CSC. It has become the marquis event of the dz. It is also a very fulfilling weekend for me, when we take people on skydives who can’t even walk. I get to share in their joy and accomplishment first hand because I’m usually right in front of them filming. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had in the sport. How great is it to raise money for charity with Skydiving? We’re all the same up there.

There are too many people and moments to list. I will take them all with me and already can’t wait for the first time I come back to visit. I hope everyone has a safe and exciting season at CSC in 2007.

Blue Ones,

TD

p.s. If you’re ever in Santa Cruz, I’ve got a great hotel for you to stay. My new email address is todd.davis@greenpoint.com

This is one of the most bittersweet times in my life. I am very excited to be running CSC and Sky Team Aviation on my own, but it's very hard for me to part ways with someone who has been such a big part of my life since I kicked his ass in 4th grade recess. Best wishes to you, Shannon, and Jake. I will miss having you around.

PAC 750XL

OK, on to the important things. We've added an additional aircraft to the CSC line-up. The PAC 750XL is a fast, single-engine turbine that carries 17 jumpers. We are very excited about having more lift capacity at CSC and hope that you take advantage of this big change.

As most of you know, the Super Otter is still in Mexico. The PAC will be our primary aircraft until the Otter gets back and then serve as a secondary jumpship for those busy days/weekends. When does the Super Otter get back? Well, the Mexico contract is complete on May 7, but then we are heading to Mena, AR for a new paint job. I know it's not ideal timing, but we need to get her painted and our schedule does not allow any other time. So, Memorial Day Weekend will be the Super Otter return party and the unveiling of the new paint job. By the way, don't ask me what kind of paint scheme I'm doing, it's a closely guarded company secret. Trust me, just like everything else on that aircraft, it's going to be first-class!

We are very excited to announce that Dave Mahoney will be heading up the rigging concession at CSC this season and beyond. Mahoney has been running the loft at Skydive Arizona for past few years and brings substantial experience to us. He is a Master Rigger who has decided to give up the perfect Arizona weather to come join us in beautiful Hinckley, IL. I've had the pleasure of getting to know Mahoney while spending time in Arizona over the winter and I finalized the deal with him when we met again in Reno last month. Mahoney will be arriving in Hinckley next week to get his machines set-up in the loft. If you need any rigging services, please email or contact him directly at 520.450.2647.

Since our last update, Tom and I headed down to Mexico for a week for another routine inspection on the Super Otter. As always, we had a great time down there. Special thanks to Antonio and his friends for showing us how the Mexicans party!

Tom Pecharich in Mexico

There are plenty of other changes going on at CSC this winter, but you will have to come out on April 7th to see for yourself. All we can tell you is that these changes are all being made with you, the customer, in mind. By the way, the PAC will be here by noon on April 6th in case you want to ditch out of work early and get a early start on the jump season!

After getting home from Mexico, Jacko and I headed out to Reno, NV for the PIA Symposium and USPA Board of Directors meeting. We had a great time out there. We even took a day to head over to Lake Tahoe and do some snowboarding. We met up with some skydiving friends on the slopes including Shannon Pilcher from the PD Factory Team.

PD Snowboard Team

In February, we held a rig sale and it was the single best month of gear sales we've ever had. We have decided to extend the sale until the end of March. Don't forget that custom equipment orders take 8 - 12 weeks for delivery. Plan ahead and order today!

Pana Over Puerto Escondido

Buzz in the Otter

Pana Sunset

Nick Exits the Otter

The Girls in Puerto

Buzz Sunset

2007 Solo Jump Packages:

Thinking of getting your license in '07? Check out our interest free financing option. This is a chance for you to save big money on your Freefall University training. If you have any questions about how this program works, please feel free to contact us or call 815.286.9200 (Monday - Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm)

2007 RV Options :

We are getting quite a bit of feedback on these mobile units for 2007. Again, these spaces are 20' x 8'' rooms that can be used for anything from team rooms to a small apartment on the DZ. We will only be ordering these units as people request them. They will require a full season commitment (April - October) and all units will be parked on the northern end of the RV park (closest to the runway). The nice thing about this option is that there is no need to move it, winterize it, or store it at the end of the season - just pick up your things and we'll take care of the rest. Monthly rent includes full electrical and Internet hook-up. Satellite TV is available as well. If you're interested, please contact Doug no later than March 15.

Special Thanks:

Congratulations:

Check out the new CSC Screensaver - download it for free!

Blue Skies!

Doug & Todd

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Chicagoland Skydiving Center
1-800-404-JUMP (Freefall University Skydiving School)
815.286.9200 office
815.286.9902 fax
http://perfectlygoodairplane.com
customercare@skydivecsc.com

 

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