Night Jumps should (Poll Closed)

Regardless of license held, awards based on number of jumps or time in free fall should be based on number of jumps or time in free fall. As it is, you must have a D license to obtain any of these awards, regardless of what the award is based on. This means that no matter how many jumps or hours of free fall time I have, I must make night jumps to get a D license in order to obtain awards for which I am qualified but which have absolutely nothing to do with jumping at night.

Night jumps are dangerous and not necessary for a D license. It is extremely rare that anyone has to make a jump at night or dusk. I've made several and except for being taken out by my shadow, they weren't bad, just unnecessary. Anything that can go wrong on a day skydive is 10 times worse on a night jump, aside from the possibility of lost gear.

NO NO NO ABSOLUTELY NOT.I've been a USPA member # 34070 for over 30 years. I got my D license # 28769 4 years ago ? Why did I wait so long to get IT..I applied for a weaver 4 -5 years ago. It was not approved Why ???? I cited that I was 66 years young did not want a PRO license DID not care to make any DEMO JUMPS only wanted a D license so that when ever I went to another DZ I didn't want to hear that I could not jump because I didn't have a D license. But I quess I didn't state my case to the RIGHT PEOPLE or I DIDN't know thw RIGHT PEOPLE at USPA to get the WEAVER approved. Well I made the 2 SO called Night Jumps at Lake Wales Fl.( I did a lot of nights jumps in the ARMY 1956 -1976 ) But they did not count ????? They went off pretty good I had help on the ground. The Safty Officer Thomas Dellibac JR. and I went up did a HOP & POP at 5 grand right over the DZ and I followed him down to the pees. Well this is why the night jumps should not be a reguirement for a D license I'll bet that their are a lot of JUMPERS that felt the same way as I did. But they were also told If you want a D Lincese Make 2 Night Jumps and all of the other reqirements and you'll get youe D Linese. Thanks for reading this ????? BLUE SKYS BE SAFE HAVE FUN Rich POPS-1251 SOS-711 JOS-200.

The night jump should absolutely remain a requirement for the D license. What is the point of watering down the sigificance of the achievement? However, the D license should not be a requirement for earning an instructor or PRO rating, nor should it be required for participation in competition events or other DZ activities. Making a few night jumps has nothing at all to do with the skill sets necessary to work effectively with students, land consistently near a target, or turn points on a four way team.

Wow, calm down a bit there buddy. No need to get so worked up about this that you can't even spell straight, especially since you're already made your jumps.
In case it isn't already obvious, I'm of the opinion that the night jumps should remain a requirement. When I see "D license" I think "expert skydiver", which to me means not just depth of experience but also breadth, and that includes at least a cursory familiarity with night jumps.

The D License is named the "Master License." If we are going to call D licensees Masters, then they should have experience in night jumping. Let's not start diminishing the quality of our licenses.

If no other rating or award requires a D license then by all means keep the night jump requirement. The only rating that should require night jumps is PRO. D license is supposed to be the "master" rating but let's face it, having 500 jumps certainly does not make you a master regardless of whether or not you survived a night jump. There isn't any evidence to support that night jump experience means you have obtained a mastery of skydiving since the majority of jumps are made during the day. I have quite a few night jumps under my belt but I don't think that experience makes me a better or safer skydiver during the day. The only advantage night jump experience gives you is better understanding of jumping at night which is always intentional. I know several people who don't want to get a D license specifically because they do not want to do a night jump. This is perfectly understandable. We rely heavily on our vision for landing and avoiding obstacles. Why not have a night jump license and leave the D license to daytime jumping where it belongs.

I believe we should have a license level that is not easily obtainable by most and indicate the skydiver has gone above and beyond the standard. I dont think the lack of obtaining it should prohibit people from awards or ratings, but simply show they have gone above and beyond. Some places 500 is a lot of jumps, others just a 'drop in the pond'. I am a full time soldier and Registered Nurse and feel my 500 jumps is pretty significant. Full time skydivers make that in six months. So it is how you look at it. I think we need another license and night jumps should be part of it. Perhaps a few ratings too. I have had my D since 2003 and don't think I am anything special or any better than anyone. I would like something challenging to obtain that lets me standout.