AXIS Coach™
Niklas Daniel

I am passionate about flying; be it my body, a parachute, or an airplane. It fills me with a great sense of fascination, curiosity, and purpose.

Coaching grants me the opportunity to share my skills and experience with those who have a desire to learn. I believe in building skills on a solid foundation and giving my students tangible evidence of their progress.

My coaching method is methodical yet holistic – incorporating physical as well as mental training, in a positive and constructive learning environment. I strive to find the perfect balance between ability and challenge for optimal engagement and enjoyment. My biggest reward as a coach is the joy of celebrating a student's "lightbulb moments", as they achieve their goals.

Skydiving Stats

Nationality:	USA
Languages:	English and German
Occupation:	Skydiver (Co-Founder / Owner of AXIS Flight School) and Photographer
Appointments:	USPA S&TA (Mountain Region), USIS Advisory Board Member.
Licenses / Ratings:	USPA D License; USIS Founding Member; Coach; AFF-I; Tandem-I; IAD; HAPS Certified; IBA Trainer LVL 4, IBA Tunnel Instructor; IBA Coach Rating Assessor; IBA Coach Rating for FS, Static, Dynamic, FWE (flying with equipment); Pro rated for 75 sqft; Private Pilot (ASEL); USHPA P2 rated; Commercial Drone Pilot.
Number of Jumps:	15,000+
Tunnel Time:	Thousands of hours since 2004
Emergency Cutaway:	Sport: 22, Tandem: 1.
Intentional Cutaway:	13.

Competition History

Peak Competition Performances

Formation Skydiving indoor

• FS 4-way Open Indoor — Highest average: 18.3 points
  (IBA US National Championships 2017).
• FS 4-way Open Indoor — Single highest scoring round: 24 points
  (IBA US National Championships 2017).

Vertical Formation Skydiving

• VFS 4-Way Open — Highest average: 21.00 points
  (FAI World Formation Skydiving Championships 2014).
• VFS 4-Way Open — Single highest scoring round: 27 points
  (FAI World Formation Skydiving Championships 2014).

Vertical Formation Skydiving indoor

• VFS 4-way Open Indoor — Highest average: 26.1 points
  (2019 USIS National Championships).
• VFS 4-way Open Indoor — Single highest scoring round: 46 points
  (2019 USIS National Championships).

Mixed Formation Skydiving

• MFS 2-Way Open — Highest average: 12.0 points
  (USPA National Championships 2017).
• MFS 2-Way Open — Single highest scoring round: 17 points
  (USPA National Championships 2017).

Speed Skydiving

• Highest ISSA Eternal Ranking: #2 (Oct. 2022).
• Highest scoring round: 520.87 km/h / 323.65 mph.
• Highest average: 511.22 km/h / 317.66 mph.
• Highest total: 4089.74 km/h / 2541.25 mph.
• Highest National Team total (Team USA with Kyle Lobpries and Anthony Landgren: 12048.84 km/h / 7486.80 mph)
  (all achieved at 4^th Speed Skydiving FAI World Championships 2022).

FAI World Championships and World Cups

1   5   3

2^nd in Speed (Open), Prostějov, Czech Republic (2023),
3^rd in Speed (National Team), Prostějov, Czech Republic (2023),
1^st in Speed (National Team), Eloy, USA (2022),
2^nd in Speed (Open), Eloy, USA (2022),
2^nd in Speed (Male), Eloy, USA (2022),
3^rd in VFS 4-way, Eloy, USA (2019),
4^th in VFS 4-way, Saarlouis, Germany (2017),
2^nd in VFS 4-way, Prostějov, Czech Republic (2014),
3^rd in FS 4-way (video), Menzelinsk, Russia (2010),
2^nd in FS 4-way (video), Maubeuge, France (2008).

ISSA World Cup Series

World Cups 0   0   0        World Cup Series Events 1   0   0

1^st in Speed (Open), World Series Event in March 2024 at Eloy, USA.

USPA National Skydiving Championships

4   7   6

1^st in Speed Skydiving (2023),
1^st in Speed Skydiving (2022),
2^nd in Speed Skydiving (2021),
2^nd in VFS 4-Way Open (2019),
5^th in Speed Skydiving (2019),
2^nd in VFS 4-Way Open (2018),
3^rd in VFS 4-way Open (2017),
4^th in MFS 2-way Open (2017),
7^th in Speed Skydiving (2017),
3^rd in VFS 4-way Open (2016),
3^rd in VFS 4-way Open (2015),
1^st in VFS 4-way Open (2014),
1^st in VFS 4-way Open (2013),
2^nd in VFS 4-way Open Alternate (2012),
2^nd in VFS 4-way Open Alternate (2011),
8^th in FS 4-way Open (2009, Video),
5^th in FS 8-way Open (2009, Video),
2^nd in FS 4-way Open (2008, Video),
3^rd in FS 8-way Open (2008, Video),
2^nd in FS 10-way (2007, Video),
4^th in FS 4-way Open (2007, Video),
3^rd in FS 16-way (2006, Video),
3^rd in Freefly Advanced (2006).

USIS National Championships

0   0   1

3^rd in VFS 4-way Open (2019).

Other Skydiving Competitions (indoor or outdoor)

1   1   2

2^nd in VFS 4-way Open (2017 Paraclete XP Indoor Championships),
3^rd in FS 4-way Open (2017 IBA USA Indoor National Championships),
1^st in VFS 4-way Open (2016 Battle of the Blades at iFly Seattle),
3^rd in VFS 2-way Open (2016 Battle of the Blades at iFly Seattle).

Awards and Recognitions

USPA 180-Hour Freefall Badge (2020) for completion of 180 hours of freefall in accordance with the Basic Safety and Requirements of the USPA.
USPA 12,000 Jump Wings (2020) for completion of 12,000 skydives in accordance with the Basic Safety and Requirements of the USPA.
Chesley H. Judy USPA Safety Award (2017) in recognition for having, through example, deed, training, or innovation, promoted safety in the sport of skydiving.
USPA Day 4-Stack (2012) for completion of a 4-stack during the day in accordance with the Basic Safety Requirements of the USPA.