Niklas Daniel wins 2022 USPA Speed Skydiving Nationals

Posted on September 27, 2022 by AXIS Flight School

The 2022 United States Parachute Association National Championships were held at Skydive Chicago September 2nd – 21st. AXIS Flight School coaches Brianne and Nik participated in speed skydiving, which had a total of 14 competitors (see scores below).

Over the course of two days, the competitors completed 8 jumps to attempt their fastest terminal velocity. This is measured by a Speed Measuring Device (SMD) worn on their helmets. This device records GPS positioning and the judges use the data to view the speeds reached on each jump. The fastest 3 consecutive seconds recorded during a jump determines the final score. The competitor with the highest accumulative score at the end of the meet wins. For more information about speed skydiving, check out the USPA Skydiving Competition Manual (SCM Chapter 15).

2022 National Speed Skydiving Champion Niklas Daniel. Photo by David Cherry.

Nik took first place with a total of 4,043.62kmh (2512.59mph), averaging 505.5kmh (314.10mph). He is only the second person, after Marco Hepp during the German Nationals 10Sep22, to consistently break the 500kmh barrier in all 8 rounds. 2021 World Champion Kyle Lobpries reached a total of 4,021.04 (avg 502.6kmh) for second place, and TJ Landgren got third with a total of 3,865.45kmh (avg 483.2kmh).

In addition, Brianne and Nik set two Illinois state records with their highest scoring rounds in the female and open categories respectively:

Brianne – 395.20kmh / 245.57mph

Nik – 509.45kmh / 316.56mph

Both Nik and Brianne secured their slots on the USA Speed Team for the 2023 World Cup in Prostejov, Czech Republic.

Illinois State Speed Skydiving Record – Nik’s round 8: 509.45kmh / 316.56mph in score

Illinois State Female Speed Skydiving Record – Brianne’s round 1: 395.20kmh / 245.57mph

Nik and Kyle on the podium during the awards ceremony. Unfortunately TJ was not present. Photo by David Cherry.

With the World Championships with less than a month away, Nik is looking forward to competing at his home dropzone – Skydive Arizona.

AXIS Flight School would like to thank all of its Sponsors for their continued support!

CYPRES How to Videos

Posted on August 17, 2022 by AXIS Flight School

AXIS Flight School deepdives the use and technical specs of CYPRES AADs in this 11 part video series. For more tutorials and fun videos, check out the AXIS YouTube Channel and subscribe.

What is an AAD?

Switching On and Off

CYPRES Models

Changing modes on C-model

Changing the Scale

Setting the Activation Altitude

DZ Offset

Unit Information

Traveling with a CYPRES outfitted rig

AAD information for jump pilots

Is there anything a CYPRES cutter cannot cut though?

Operation Enduring Warrior through Joost’s eyes

Posted on June 19, 2022 by AXIS Flight School

Original article posted on skydivemag.com

Foundations of Flight | Flare Technique

Posted on June 4, 2022 by AXIS Flight School

*article published with incorrect heading.

OEW Skydive student Jonathon Blank receives USPA A-License

Posted on April 3, 2022 by AXIS Flight School

We would like to congratulate Jonathon on receiving his USPA A-License. Over the course of several visits, Jonathon has trained with AXIS Flight School at Skydive Arizona. He has been on a custom training program to meet all the USPA standards and we are very proud of him and his success.

Jonathon sporting the traditional USPA A-License stamp on his forehead with his instructors Brianne and Nik. Photo by Steve.

1st Swoop Du Jour Canopy Piloting Competition at Skydive Arizona

Posted on February 21, 2022 by AXIS Flight School

On February 18th, Skydive Arizona held its first local Swoop Du Jour canopy piloting competition.

An informal Canopy Piloting competition where the main objective is for beginner pilots to learn the competition rules AND for the professionals to get practice. There were judges, prizes and soup.

The first Swoop Du Jour focus was on Zone Accuracy. Nik collecting points on the water. Photo by Jochen Althoff.

Niklas Daniel swooping the pond at Skydive AZ. Photo by Jochen Althoff

Coaching and video debriefing was provided by PD Factory Team Member Justin Price. Competitors jump the course as many times as they want and the top three scores were used to determine standings.

There was a Pro-Class and a Beginner Class. The first competition focused only on Zone Accuracy Landings. Anyone who is signed off to land at the pond can participate in the upcoming Swoop Du Jour events. Future 2022 Dates: April 15 / June 4 / August 20 / November 19 / December 17

If you have any questions about the competition, reach out to Events@skydiveaz.com

Top 3 in the Open Class. Photo by Brianne Thompson.

All participants of the 1st Swoop Du Jour Meet. Photo by Brianne Thompson.

OEW Skydive Update: Jonathon Blank

Posted on February 4, 2022 by AXIS Flight School

Jonathon checking out one of the Skydive Arizona otters. Photo by Niklas Daniel.

Back in September 2021, Operation Enduring Warrior (OEW Skydive) sent Jonathon to AXIS Flight School at Skydive Arizona to get them ready for their custom Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program. Over the course of three days, Jonathon trained with Brianne Thompson, Niklas Daniel, and Joost Luijsterburg, getting him through his First Jump Course (FJC), flying 15 minutes in the Skyventure Arizona wind tunnel, and completing two succesful skydives.

What follows is a pictoral of Jonathon’s progress.

Jonathon learns how to react to various parachute malfunctions using a training harness and que cards.

Rehearsing emergency cutaway proceedures using a training harness.

Brianne Thompson working with Jonathon in the wind tunnel. Photo by Niklas Daniel.

Special made custom rig and tunnel cover by United Parachute Technologies (UPT). Photo by Niklas Daniel.

Jonathon and Brianne after checking out the otter. Photo by Niklas Daniel.

Rehearsing the exit and jump plan at a mock up. Photo by MURV.

Jonathon exits the aircraft with AXIS Instructors Brianne Thompson and Niklas Daniel. Photo by Joost Luijsterburg.

Jonathon checking his altimeter after a series of practice touches. Photo by Joost Luijsterburg.

Deployment. Photo by Joost Luijsterburg.

A picture perfect landing. Photo by Joost Luijsterburg.

The gang heading out on Jonathon’s AFF Level 2. Photo by MURV.

Unfortunately we got weathered out by strong winds and were unable to continue jumping.

Current conditions from the AXIS weather station.

We look forward to flying with Jonathon again in early March, completeing his A-Licesene and beyond.

Jonathon Blank is a former USMC Staff Sergeant injured by an IED while deployed to Afghanistan.

2021 Chicks Rock Boogie recap

Posted on October 8, 2021 by AXIS Flight School

On September 30th – October 3rd, Skydive Elsinore hosted its annual Chicks Rock Boogie. 2021 marked the event’s 20th anniversary, which had a space odyssey theme. Over the weekend Brianne and Nik of AXIS Fight School organized a variety of jumps including belly, free-fly, tracking, angle flying, canopy flocking, and even an 11-way hybrid with an orbiting wing-suiter. Jumping form Caravans, Otters, and a Skyvan, there was something for everyone. At night there were festivities, live music, and many opportunities to socialize. Brianne and Nik also participated in the night swoops event. Check out the recap video below. Looking forward to next year!

Sunset Canopy Flocking Jump by Brianne Thompson.

OEW Wind Tunnel Training 2021

Posted on September 26, 2021 by AXIS Flight School

Kevin and Jonathon just completed flying with AXIS Flight School at the Skyventure AZ tunnel. Having flown 3.5 hours each over the course of three days, Kevin and Jonathon are part of the January 2021 Operation Enduring Warrior Skydive class (a veteran-founded nonprofit organization). The goal of this training camp was to best prepare Kevin and Jonathon for eventual AFF and skydive training in the near future; aiming for the beginning of next year. Both excelled at learning body-flight in the tunnel and exceeded their own expectations. Before jump training can commence, there are still a few equipment hurdles that need to be taken care of. AXIS Flight School instructors Brianne and Nik feel confident that Kevin and Jonathon will take to the sky without hesitation and are happy to welcome them to the skydiving community.

During their visit, Todd Love was in town to get recurrent and jump, but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. Todd joined the gang in the tunnel and was able to provide some valuable insights to Jonathon via demonstration, since they have a similar body compositions.