tuffyjensen

Sandy that looks like organizer Tom Schroeder and makes sense since his home DZ is or at least was Skydive Dallas, hate to say it since I know Tom, but looks like a very bad choice. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

The H-Style drogue attachment is exactly that, where the drogue attaches to the bag/canopy. Instead of having the drogue attached at the center of the bag and the 2 legs of the y-line going through 2 separate grommets. The drogue will be attached to center bar of the H looking hardware, that is sewn into the d-bag. There will then be a single kill line instead of the y-line, which will not have as much wear and tear on it. We jumped it at our IE course last fall, along with the 366 reserve as a main. I think they will be good enhancements of the gear. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Until the bridle gets to full extension and creates a solid base for the PC to inflate from, it will most likely not have a round inflated look to it. The bridle in this picture is just short of full extension. The container is not open, I think you are looking at the jumpers left foot. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

I think if you look closely at the video, the TI actually continued to hold on to the drogue (which is a huge no no) and it wasn't really in the burble. Once you have started the extraction of the drogue it must be one continuous motion to a good strong throw, never hold on to it after you have extracted it from the pouch, it greatly increases the risk of drogue bridle entanglement with the tandem pair. The drogue packing that Tom is referring to is exactly how the manual explains packing the drogue, except the manual doesn't describe keeping the opening of the roll facing upward. See page 51 & 52. http://www.strongparachutes.com/Documents/PDF_Files/dhtrevI.pdf Also if you watch the first video it is an example of basically what Tom is talking about the hill burble, just in a slightly different way of getting in the position. The TI throws the drogue as the pair is on their left side and in the process of rotating left to a belly to earth position. The problem is that by throwing the drogue at that time he is actually throwing it right into the burble above them, the pairs right side, which becomes their back as it finishes the rotation and makes the burble even bigger. They were fortunate during the head down part that happened because the TI was bringing the students hands out, that the drogue bridle didn't get caught on a foot, it was very close. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

I would be sure that you are getting a full extension of the kill line and the PC can fully inflate. After you have cocked the PC hold it by the base and make sure the tape(s) has no slack. Or simply is the PC old, especially a F111 PC. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Anyone could seal or reseal with just thread, it does not give you any protection from tampering. At least with a lead seal, to tamper with it you would have to get a stamp the same as the last rigger's seal to reseal without being noticeable, not fool proof, but better than just thread. With that said, it amazes me how many times I have seen a rig inspected for in-date compliance by simply looking at the card. Make sure the card and the seal actually match. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

As you have said, I would just add you are not really accepting the responsibility of the previous repack as long as it is dually documented on the card. I will say that it does leave someone to argue you did more than that and would not recommend doing it on repack that was not yours. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

I think if you look closely they are of course both fired, with the left one being a clean fire and nothing but the protective plastic sleeve being viewed in the fired cutter, hence the non cut loop and the right cutter having loop fibers visible indicating a cut loop on the right side. If someone is trying to show that fact, then the picture should include the right cut loop in the picture. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

RIP Rich, I am very fortunate to have met and been friends with such a wonderful and humble man. Blue Skies Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Absolutely, we were informed that it is the biggest tax gap there is, under reported income from small businesses (especially of the cash type, i.e. restaurants, bars, vending machines etc.). And that the IRS is concentrating its efforts to close that gap as much as possible (from a recently retired agent). The IRS is in a bad spot to do this, since there is a huge portion of agents that were hired in the 70's and most of them have or are retiring soon, so until they are replaced with competent agents it will be tough for them (darn it). Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

That is a given. That was a note stated in the text book from the University of Illinois Farm Tax School and is a very respected course. Of course it all has to happen first, and we should never get our hopes up when counting on the government to get anything done, so we will see. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

This is the correct answer, they just added property as needing to be 1099 as well as services and Corporations will be included as well for those property and/or services and it is cumulative for the year not just per transaction (i.e Wal-Mart, Staples or any vendor). Might want to use Quick Books and make sure the accounts are setup properly to keep track of all this crap for you. Also correct is that credit card purchases are exempt from the reporting. BUT, credit card/debit card processing companies are also required to report and issue the new 1099-K, (i.e. paypal), for the amounts they collect for you (hint they will not deduct their fees and will issue the 1099-K for the entire amount, you will have to keep track of those separately as a deduction and won't be able to do a net amount as income). This is how they will pick up those transactions and make sure the income is claimed. How dare they make all incomes be claimed. You can be fined for not issuing these informational returns in a timely manner as well and that has been increased/doubled to $30 per return if within 30 days of due date, $60 if more than 30 days, but before August 1, and $100 per failure if after August 1st, with some very high maximums. Or a $250 per return penalty for intentional disregard. The same applies for payee statements with there own maximums as well, yikes. So if you are 20 days late filing 15 1099 returns to the IRS it will cost you a $450 penalty, 30 days up till August 1st a $900 penalty, after August 1st a $1,500penalty and finally if you just don't file and they find out a whopping $3,750. Yes what a mess, got to love our congress, there has only been over 4,000 tax law changes in the last 10 years, got to love my job security. As a side note as well, if you are given a W9 and refuse to give your identifying number and contact info or give incorrect info that doesn't match the IRS database, then you are subject to something called back-up withholding and the payor will be required to withhold that at a current rate of 28%. This will be very interesting to see how it all shakes out over the next year. I have read Congress is seriously considering a repeal of the reporting requirements. Good Luck! Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

More than likely everyone is talking about the same thing and yes it is a type of tendinitis (tennis elbow). I am very certain that it is more from the tightening of the lower connections than flying the canopy, especially if you tend to make them very tight. It was bothering me real bad at the end of the year last year, as stated shaking a hand or picking up a cup hurt like hell. I changed how I pull on the lowers and got through the year and have had no issues this year after the winter break to let it heal. Having the student help tighten the lowers and flying the canopy will save your body the wear and tear it doesn't have to entail. http://www.tennis-elbow.net/tenniselbow.htm http://www.emedicinehealth.com/tennis_elbow/article_em.htm Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

The attorney that I work for has told me that if you are doing the work yourself, then the hiding behind a company name will not do much for you. Meaning that you are the person who physically does the work (truck driver, doctor, skydiving instructor, etc.), you as the individual and the company will also get named in any lawsuit. Then you as the owner of any company own the net assets of the company as well, hence still leaving you potentially liable. With all that said, most waivers do list negligence (a mistake) being covered as part of the waiver, but never be grossly negligent (knowingly doing something that wasn't right), your neck is possibly on the line then. If you follow guidelines that are set forth and don't deviate from them, then you have a greater chance that the waiver will hold up in court. When people are signing the waivers, since they tend not to read it, clearly tell them and I suggest make them watch a video of a very short to the point explanation of it with a spot on the waiver signing they seen the video. "You are signing a waiver release of liability saying there are inherent dangers with jumping out of an airplane and you are agreeing that you are willing to accept those dangers for the thrill of it. Somewhere in that waiver it says that you cannot sue anyone and no one else can sue for you no matter what happens. Somewhere in there you also agree to pay for my attorney to defend your stupid ass (maybe leave ass out) lawsuit if you or someone else does try to sue, since I just told you that you cannot sue. Once you get done signing the waiver you will have absolutely no rights when it comes to filing a lawsuit for any reason." Fairly short and VERY to the point and should leave no question in someones mind, and I will say it out loud in front of any wuffo's that came with or have them watch the video, so they are aware as well. The more protection the better and my attorney thinks that is great. Any other opinions are more than welcome. Dennis Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Sorry to bother everyone again, I have a line on another machine for $100. It is a Chandler TDU N62, it seems like a medium/light weight straight stitch walking foot. Table and machine look in great shape and it had FF thread in it and seemed to sew well. I would assume I am wasting my time asking and should be buying it with no questions asked. Anyone with experience on this machine? Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

That's what I needed to know, thanks again. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Hi Gary, that is what I was thinking, maybe use it for mostly doing patches. It is for sale by an estate, they are asking $300 and it is in pretty good shape, the table is in excellent condition. If I get it for a couple hundred, I would assume that would be a good deal. Any thoughts on value, I seen a complete refurbished sold for $500. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Anyone have any experience or advice on if the Singer 188 K1 is a good machine to be utilized for rigging or not. Thanks for your help. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

More of a snivel is typical of the lower control lines being shorter than original and creating the canopy to open closer to the stall point, hence less flight at opening and a slower opening. A Spectre is very known for this since the opening is set so close to the stall to start with and should have the lower control lines replaced half way through the line set (15 minute or so job). If it is starting to rock/surge front to back as it gets full inflation then it is stalling and should be replaced immediately. More end cell closure than normal is a characteristic of shortened outboard A lines. Yes one usually means the other has happened as well. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Here is a very good way to pack/fold your pc, it ensures a cocked pc as you pack/fold it and gives the best chance for extraction even in the case of a premature pin pull, helping to try and eliminate the possible impending horseshoe mal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axCeYlY_6io Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Didn't mean you specifically, just a generality that maybe others will realize it. To long isn't necessarily a problem of functionality, it should still inflate properly. They are obviously designed to be fail safe, if the kill line breaks it is full inflation and the pc still works as a non-collapsible. If it is to long the knot/entanglement in the pc itself, very well could have happened after the deflation and I am confident that is the case. Yes an asymmetrically made pc will spin up on a regular basis as well, but if it is not being fully collapsed it is still catching some air and that is what can make it spin up and way more if it is asymmetrical (pain in the a$#). So in short it's a 10-15 minute fix to replace the kill line, not sure what someone would charge you $10. I just do it for free. P.S. I meant to say the Pic looks like the hackey is about 3 inches from being fully collapsed and that is a lot. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

If it is a zp pc and only has 300 jumps, I really doubt that the pc is ragged out. I would be more apt to say the kill line (Spectra) has shrunk and not giving you full inflation. Way to many people go by the color in the window IMHO. Once it has been cocked to full extension, simply hold the pc at the base and if the tape(s) inside by the kill line are at full extension and the kill line has a slight slack then it is set for full inflation, the only basic check needed. Many times the Spectra kill line will shrink over time and just needs to be replaced with the appropriate length. It can be to long as well, this just tends to cause the pc to spin and put a lot of twist in the bridle once retracted and flying behind the canopy. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Man at least I fooled one person! On a serious note! Yes if the IRS/agent feels that a preparer is doing wrongful/illegal/fraudulent returns, they may decide to audit anyone that that preparer has prepared a similar tax return for. Start packing your bags, just kidding. Just cause they found 1 return I would not be overly concerned, but if they find several, there is a good chance of them wanting to see all returns of that type prepared by them. Remember in a normal situation the statute of limitations is 3 years, so 2006 and before are closed years for the most part. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

As a tax professional for the last 15 years preparing many types of business and personal returns, about 450 this last tax season, I will do my best to answer some of this without writing to much of a book, ya right. I will start with just because you have been doing something for years and have never been audited/caught, it doesn't mean you were doing something right or that it would be accepted in an audit, it just means you haven't been audited (not a dig). It is a very small percent of returns that ever get audited. There is a general percentage and they do go in cycles of what type of schedules on a return or type of return will be in a higher audit base, i.e. the schedule C (sole proprietor/self employed) might be raised to say 7% one year, the next year Sch F (Farmer/Fisherman), the next year 1120 (C Corp), the next year 1120S (S-Corp), etc. When they raise the auditing of those specific types of returns, you are obviously at a higher risk of getting the random audit, which is how most are chosen, blind draw. If you do show a continual lose (yes the 3 out of 5 is the rule of thumb) on a Sch C, you may draw attention to yourself and they may ask to see the business plan and if you are truly running it as a business to eventually make money, as stated if yes you are and can prove it, then lose all you want. Some of these are just compliance checks and not actually audits As for deductions there is a lot of gray area. Mileage is not really one of them, the mileage that you drive to work (commuting) is NOT deductible, unless it is to go from your first job to your second (not straight to the 2nd if on a different day). Yes the trick is to have an office in the home (form 8829), the key to that is the office (room) must be used exclusively AND regularly for business use, i.e. you CANNOT use the kitchen table and call it an office. More home expenses can be deducted as well if you have a qualifying home office, i.e. taxes, insurance, repairs, utilities, etc. You also must keep a daily log of the miles driven for business (regardless of actual expenses or standard mileage), if audited and you don't have this or they can tell you just constructed it cause of the audit (make it dirty and use different colors), you will lose the deduction. Also slapping a sign on the vehicle does NOT make it qualify as a business vehicle. The whole writing off all jumps and 100% of the gear. I would say with certainty, that in an audit (not very likely chance of being audited) you would lose at least part of it. You can legally only take the portion that is business and not the personal. If you keep track and you should, it would be easy to figure that percent. You are less likely to have an auditor nit pick the hell out of you if you don't take everything. As an Instructor, you have more to stand on saying that you have to stay current, but really it is very unlikely that you have to make fun jumps to stay current. As a vidiot only, I would give you a less likely hood of using the fun jumps as a currency requirement. Yes all ratings and renewals are deductible. Training jumps can be classified as a business expense. I think that is enough basics to get you on the right track. I will also tell you that one auditor might have a different interpretation of some laws than another, just like a cop or judge. Then it all comes down to if you can prove similar case law in your jurisdiction or be good enough to set the tone for others to follow. You are guaranteed to not get the deduction if you don't try, but if it is a blatant attempt to defraud (does not have to be just claiming something you do not have proof of) you do open yourself up to an unlimited statute instead of the normal 3 year. Good Luck! Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

What is wrong with an AFFI needing 3 years in the sport the same as a TI. You gain so much more knowledge by being around the sport. I don't see how a person can be an effective instructor without that broad base of overall skydiving knowledge. It is not just about the flying skills, why do we want to risk the safety of our own up and coming members/friends. Probably wouldn't be a bad thing to require a coach to have a full year in the sport as well. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy