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!

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.

Playing with UPT’s Mutant Harness over Skydive Arizona

Posted on May 26, 2022 by AXIS Flight School

Niklas Daniel playing with a UPT Mutant harness over Skydive Arizona.

Foundations of Flight | Landing Priorities

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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.

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.

Skydive Radio Photo of the Week Show #253!

Posted on April 1, 2021 by AXIS Flight School

I would like to thank Dave at Skydive Radio for making my image below their pic of the week! Skydive Radio is the world’s leading internet radio show dedicated to the sport of skydiving. Weekly episodes include commentary, feature interviews with industry insiders, listener-contributed photos, and e-mails from an audience that spans the globe.

To watch the video of the intensional cutaways, click here.

SKYHOOK Video

Posted on December 10, 2020 by AXIS Flight School

Check out our latest YouTube video where we deep dive the differences between a regular RSL (reserve static line) and a Skyhook equipped RSL. Brianne interviews UPT rep/rigger Greg Rau in the AXIS Flight School studio, as well as enjoying a weekend of intensional cutaways.

Greg Rau: “In an emergency there is a lot of other things involved, and the lower you take it, you’re just buttering up your disaster cake.”

Niklas Daniel Photography

Skyhook Deployment Video

Posted on September 8, 2020 by AXIS Flight School

I would like to thank UPT‘s Riley Marshall, and Lesley Gale at SkydiveMag for showing off some of my photos and videos in a feature article about the Skyhook (MARD). To learn more about the Main-Assisted Reserve Deployment system, and how it differs from a Reserve Static Line (RSL), check out the full article MARDginal Analysis.