Jonsmann 0 #1 September 2, 2006 Today I saw a kids helium balloon at 3-4 thousand feet. At a distance it looked like a guy in freefall, but it was yellow and going up! When I got close (100 ft under canopy) it turned out to be a kids balloon shaped like a tiger! Black stripes and a line for holding it etc. I'm sure there must have been some kid crying his eyes out. Jacques Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDashe 0 #2 September 2, 2006 several years ago my dad and i were flying from camarillo california to bakersfield. While climbing through 8000 we saw one of those silver helium balloons. We couldnt figure out how it hadnt popped from pressure, but it was pretty funny to see. took us a few seconds to realize what we saw. i would NOT want to hit that in freefall clear skiesSo there I was... Making friends and playing nice since 1983 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #3 September 3, 2006 I've hit one on deployment while my canopy was snivling, one of the silver birthday type balloons. Smacked the side of my lower leg, bounced off the slider and was away before I could read it.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdrejhon 8 #4 September 3, 2006 Has anyone in history ever hit a kid's balloon under freefall? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
itllclear 1 #5 September 3, 2006 I've seen Mickey Mouse balloons over Disneyland many times above 3,000 feet. BSBD Harry"Harry, why did you land all the way out there? Nobody else landed out there." "Your statement answered your question." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 8 #6 September 3, 2006 Well... it wasn't a kid's balloon, but I once saw an empty 12-pack (box) at around 800-1000' while under canopy one day when I used to jump at Apple Valley, CA. It was a hot summer day... read turbulent... and I figure it got sucked up there by a dust devil or termal or a combination there of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmsmith 1 #7 September 5, 2006 This summer while under canopy I had to duck to avoid a furry bumble bee going the opposite direction. I quickly glanced at my altimeter afterward, descending through 2,000-ft! I had no idea these plump insects fly that high up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
recovercrachead 0 #8 September 5, 2006 we had a bee on the strut floating on a 182 to 2000 feet before he jumpedTrack high, Pull LOW!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frynsky 0 #9 September 5, 2006 I scared the hell out of a hawk once. It was a turbulent day and his back was to me. I got close to him before he heard my canopy, he did a hard dive out of there, I'll never forget it. Must have been about '1000-'1200 feet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluheelrtx 0 #10 September 6, 2006 QuoteI scared the hell out of a hawk once. It was a turbulent day and his back was to me. I got close to him before he heard my canopy, he did a hard dive out of there, I'll never forget it. Must have been about '1000-'1200 feet. Had a similar experience a few years ago. After a team 4-way dive, I noticed something in the air behind my team mates canopy, so I flew in behind her to check it out. It turned out to be a hawk that was checking out her pilot chute. I followed for a good while and got pretty close (maybe 75 ft) before he decided that he didn't like being watched anymore and dove away hard. I tried to follow, but DAMN, those suckers can dive! I don't think the team mate ever noticed either of us. That is one of my fondest skydiving memories to date.-- Jason -- Some people never go crazy. What truly boring lives they must lead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtimebabe24 0 #11 September 6, 2006 The aug 06 issue of Parachutist has a pic of John Goscinski under canopy while shuttle Discovery takes off from Cape Canaveral. I got chill bumps when i saw that pic. Much better than any balloon, right?"The most wasted day of all is that upon which we have not laughed..." Nicholas Chamfort. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonsmann 0 #12 September 6, 2006 Sure, that is neat too! I presume the shuttle photo was planned. The tiger balloon I saw was in the middle of nowhere, and certainly not expected. Jacques Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtimebabe24 0 #13 September 6, 2006 Lol. i know, im sure it was as well. I hope i see something neat in the sky like that! I do think its cool you saw a random tiger balloon- im not bashing that."The most wasted day of all is that upon which we have not laughed..." Nicholas Chamfort. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brokenwing 1 #14 September 6, 2006 forget now what jump # it was but on my first 20 sec delay (way back around 1970) i saw this thing coming straight for me in freefall. was the darndest thing teeth bared, wings out, diving right at me -- an uglier meaner creature one could never expect to see was Bo Alexander who followed me out the door Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
