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Johnson City
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(PHOTO #1) ... During this PTI C5 class, instructors advise PTI students
during the hands-on disassembly and reassembly of the new VL Maxis marker. Each
student had to diagnose and repair a Maxis with specific problems. Although many
markers of the stacked bolt blow back design type appear quite similar, there
may be unique o-rings or special procedures required by the different
manufacturers. Students also learn the reality of how an airsmith should deal
with customers, and exchange war stories of their actual experiences with marker
repair. There are several instructors at every PTI class, and a very good
student teacher ratio.
(PHOTO #3) ... Under the supervision of PTI instructor Reese Stewart (rear), PTI C5 students drill six specific sized holes, and then tap a series of four standard and two metric threads into a small aluminum plate, which they keep as a handy reference for their airsmithing. Metric thread sizes fall between standard threads, and can easily be confused.
(PHOTO #4) ...With the addition of head instructor Don Moorhead (rear), PTI C5 classes have added several hands-on machine shop exercises. Every student learns how to drill out broken screws, and they all install helicoil inserts. Whenever an airsmith touches a customer's equipment, they should automatically conduct a brief safety inspection of everything, including the bottle and goggles.
(CENTER PHOTO) ... PTI instructor Sean Settle
(left) teaches PTI students the proper procedure and
special tools required for the removal
and replacement of propellant
gas storage vessel valves. There are many bottles in circulation with valves
that have been installed improperly. Improper valve installation may have caused
two recent fatalities involving CO2 bottles, and there are specific requirements
for thread sealant and torque. Only trained professionals should replace valves,
and players are encouraged to have their bottles filled by persons who know what
they are doing. Qualified fill station
operators know how to conduct a twist test, to verify that the valve is securely
attached to the bottle, before conducting a fill.
Terry Neumaster (LEFT PHOTO), from
Brass Eagle, teaches a tech class on several of the markers in the K2
family. Spesh Robinson (RIGHT PHOTO),
from Smart Parts, gave a sponsor presentation at a recent PTI C1/C2 class.
Students who enroll in the two day C1/C2 PTI classes receive an additional
free C3 certification: "Paintball Player Safety Class
Instructor". Enrollment is limited to 30 students in these classes,
and the students actually learn design theory and basic troubleshooting for each
of the generic marker design types. Students learn many details of
fill station operation and how to run a paintball business.
Sponsor displays and interaction with manufacturer's representatives are very
popular with the students. PTI has a special SPONSOR SHOWROOM, where permanent
product displays are set up and students can touch and feel the latest and
greatest technology. Terry Neumaster (LEFT PHOTO) has represented Brass
Eagle at many PTI classes over the years. His presentations are very popular, as
he delivers bottom line information designed to help new paintball field and
store owners be more successful. The K2 paintball companies (Brass Eagle, VL,
JT, and WGP) have a permanent product display wall in the PTI Sponsor
Showroom. Spesh Robinson (RIGHT PHOTO), pro player and Smart Parts Employee,
sets up in the PTI Sponsor Showroom to talk with PTI students during breaks
between classes.
