Niklas Daniel wins 2022 USPA Speed Skydiving Nationals

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 Time Scoring

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

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?

OEW Skydive student Jonathon Blank receives USPA A-License

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

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

M’m! M’ m! Good!

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

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.
Looking good!
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.
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.