ChrisD

A well thought out personal essay of altimeters as many currently understand things work. I appreciate your efforts, However: " It really boils down to three things: familiarity, specific application, and personal preference." This is not how our brain works. Research has clearly shown, Posner, Donovan, etc., and including Research done in the seventies that I personally participated in for the DOD, NASA, etc., has consistently shown that pictorial displays "capture your attention,... in stress inducing situations,... significantly more readily than numerical, audible, or text driven information." The key word here is "Significantly." See Posner attention capture research for a more thorough and complete explanation. This has nothing to do with "personal preference," or the application or your familiarity with the display! And to make this jump in logic is doing a great disservice to skydivers worldwide. Very rarely in science do we get such strong evidence that our brains process visual pictures and that that same information can capture our attention more readily than text displays. I also look forward to the day that your altimeters, the electronic displays, can present a colorful pictorial display, with more attention capabilities, (Think blinking bright red, at a display level above ambient ,...) and then perhaps switching to a more accurate numerical display for the landing pattern, as a possible idea. BUT until then,... in an emergency situation, numerical displays are at a significant disadvantage as compared with pictorial information.

You forgot to add our extensive collection of morbidity / mortality data that we do have. Not a lot of RSL incidents caused by using a RSL as compared with NOT having one. The power of MYTH. I hope Zeus doesn't bite me :)

A painful reminder of the blind trust we place in our aircraft,...? Overloaded, poor maintenance, and or a very poor performing aircraft in the first place? So the real question is why do we as skydivers place so much blind trust in others and their judgment that just because something that we have gotten away with more than a few times means it is an acceptable for the future? Light twins and overloaded Cessna's have been and continue to be the bane of the aircraft used in skydiving amounting to the overwhelming population of fatal incidents. You can chose to ignore this because "some" have gotten away with it and continue to do so or you can educate yourself and rise above this ignorance and in the process quite possibly save your ass someday! Using a light twin for jump operations is and HAS BEEN WELL KNOWN FOR YEARS to be a problem child. Personally, I have refused more than one occasion to jump from them. Their performance has and ALWAYS HAS BEEN marginal and their use for jump operations has always been questionable. You might want to consider this before you get into an aircraft with such poor performance as compared with more suitable and popular aircraft. And this is well before anything goes wrong!!! The same continues to go for all of those Cessna drop zones that continue to operate their aircraft: at or near gross, YOU just don't have any safety margin, something to consider,...for those of you out their that are a little more proactive when it comes to safety.

The world is a better place because of you! (Considering they just banned me from this forum , for life I suspect , feel free to e-mail me at: [email protected] Anyone or anytime!!! ) But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

The new Van, hardly a van is it:

Crosskeys really is the place to go, I'm surprised no has mentioned this??/ : http://crosskeysskydiving.com/jump_crosskeys.php C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

I was having the same issue, but apparently with a little help it is now resolved, perhaps it's a temporary thing? anyone know for shure? C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Skydive New England is purportedly having their SAFETY DAY April 5 Sat 2014. They usually have a presentation style with some very colorful and wonderful people presenting short talks and sometimes with handouts to explain some of the more complicated issues. Last year for example one person took the time to compare and contrast all of the features of the various AAD's on the market in a concise tabular format that was simple to use and view the differences to help explain some of the inconsistencies in the various manufacturers manuals. And they did this all at their own time and expense. Generally they start with stuff about skydivers, then move on to the dz, and finally a talk from a pilot about various topics that they mix up from year to year. The food was great!!! Free, plentiful, tasty, and warm. All prepared with love from the many volunteers that participated and gave so freely of their time!!! This safety day experience was simply the best one reported to me from my peeps, no other DZ came even close to the preparedness and thoroughness that these people have shown again and again!!!! C Now,... if they could do something about the weather????? But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Go F... yourself, you think your funny????? I don't C have a nice day. (Hey here's a special note to the mod that removes this post, why don't you remove the original one by mark as well,????) But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

I just like the view. C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

For people like me, wireless is a civil and very public nightmare. The ramifications to our countries defense posture are "Severe." There are limited countermeasures and this is well known to those that plan for this type of thing. Be careful for what you wish for. Just some other thoughts and opinions about our consumerist society and a lack of infrastructure foresight. Katrenia and a few other recent natural incidents have clearly illustrated how these very same politics have undermined our ability to respond to any mass incident. C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

So you really don't know, you're just guessing. Yeah, those are the only two possibilities. Or, it could be something else that doesn't fit your USPA Evil Empire worldview. You never answered my question. Which of the two people who work on the IRM (and keep in mind that working on the IRM takes up maybe 10% of their time at most) is trying to protect their job by keeping it in paper format? You're such an expert on USPA, is it Jim or Elijia who's sandbagging? Yeah, perhaps. Your wonderful comments, are very similar in nature to DSE's comments, I think both of you are kind of doing what I do, On occasion, and that is, kind of to bait and provoke to promote a little discussion. It doesn't always work the way you intended it too. I would suggest someone pick up the phone and give them a call. I know that laidlaw spent considerable time providing valuable input to the IRM, and rewriting it by others is a very "committee" type of thing, and we all know how committees move at a certain speed. I do want to point out that not everything benefits by technology. I have asked multiple times in the past "why isn't the IRM available in an electronic format," and I really don't think anyone is trying to justify their job as compared with maximizing the benefits of having a paper copy, in your hand, at the time of many of the courses are being run. I was also informed that they have a concern about electronic duplication, and considering over 35% of current skydivers are computer savvy,...they want to hold onto their monetary investment that multiple people have already spent. This is of course another discussion considering the USPA posted a budget surplus for this past year. I don't know for sure either, so this is a question statement, but are they trying to maximixe the limited income these things produce, or is it more of controlling distribution? many times, well a really lot of times, again and again, I have heard this: Or something similar????? I mean what's good for the goose is good for the Gander right? I just wanted to throw out that line of reasoning for discussion,....I mean god forbid some newbie read something they shouldn't???? And the IRM is meant for instructors,...(only?) ??? Just my two cents for today. AND neither one of you is full of anything, your both wonderful people so stop throwing stuff at each other, that's what I'm here for,.... C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Just my opinion but I don't think cutting on concrete is a great way to cut cloth anything. It can really dull the knife blade very quickly. Do you have a sewing shop nearby, there not very large, about 3 feet by 3 feet but they have some cutting boards with a slightly resilient surface that makes a nice surface. Any spare Masonite or plywood boards? Also canopies get retired quite often, you might consider sending out some posts to various riggers, or here and offer to pay the post for some de-commissioned canopies to take them apart if that is something your interested in?? But be advised many people like to disable their old canopies so that they don't end up being used ever again,...like cut in half,...but I think you still could get some knowledge from them anyways?? Anyways good luck, and stay safe!!!

mjosparky probably, maybe, knows more about that than I. I suspect if my memory serves me, water landings were more popular back in the 60's. I can only speculate, money, publicity value, perhaps her knees were junk??? I think one of her instructors has already posted??? Perhaps he knows, or if it was for a medical reason, perhaps he's protecting her privacy? Was cool though, wasn't it! C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Uh no. Their family and their companies have a significant input on polluting our air land and water no matter where they have operated for nearly 100 years. Ostrichism aside.. the conservatives who worship them really should get to know who their Lordly Oligarchs really are and figure out how many puppet strings are attached to all the groups they fund that tell conservatives how to think. I think she's pointing out the FACT that we can do a good job of tracking the finances and money being spent to muddle the waters, so to speak, that those people spend each year to deny GWT and fund ex physicists (that have no credentials about current research,) and other popular media attempts to sway public opinion. What the Koch Brothers have done to PBS media is a crime, but PBS is quite happy because their coffers are full, as long as they stay away from "controversial" subjects. On the other hand apparently the pundits of GWT have billions to spend????? I say prove it! Now there is a problem????? Prove that Pro GWT science has the cash to promote their viewpoint????? We are speaking about the thousands of the most educated, and poor'st population on the planet, but somehow they have billions to spend???? Logic???? On the other hand it's very easy to see that 500 million, is a drop in the bucket to ensure the flow of oil and the rape'ing of the land both of the open pits and acid rain and 500 million doesn't come close to what they actually spend promoting their view of science. All hail The Emperor, and could you pass some more peacocks tongue's on the nice new Lead plates ????

I want to point out absolutely no one, including me, asked this person to clarify or expand upon this point: Just my opinion, but if the PIA was lobbying, who what, when , and where? All I'm trying to point out with this, and I'll allow the possibility that I can be very wrong,... is that the media here and other places may be contributing to miscommunication. Are we misinterpreting the opposing viewpoint because it is underrepresented and unheard???? Can we do anything about it?? I don't know why, but during the past couple of meetings, PIA has approached USPA about several issues. PIA sent representatives to pitch the age limit again. USPA did not change their rules based mostly on an assessment by the USPA attorneys. Another item that came up was the waiver. This motion passed the GM comm and made it to the FB. The motion was eventually withdrawn, but I think that it will reappear at a later meeting. This item was to add a clause to the GM pledge that required GM DZs to add mfgs as a class to the DZO's waiver. Objections to this included - the cost to the DZO associated with a waiver change - that no other 3rd party was singled out in the GM pledge to require mention in the hold harmless/waiver agreement - effective date of the requirement - alternative methods could be used by PIA to request that mfgs as a class be added to each DZ waiver PIA is asking USPA to do its legwork here. I think that PIA should create its own DZ distribution list and ask the DZOs directly to add mfgs as a class to their waiver. How difficult could that be? not very hard. USPA also should not be burdened with the task of verifying that mfgs are listed as a class (or individually) in each waiver. I'd like to know if there are DZOs out there that may object to this requirement too. Keep your eyes out for this in the future - it might come up again. BTW, I voted against the raising of the pull altitudes for C & D license holders. The raised altitudes also effect the AFF eval dives and the decision altitude cited in the IRM and SIM, respectively. These changes are going to be done by HQ - I don't know if the BOD will be able to vote on what HQ proposes before the manuals get reprinted this fall. I don't know how many S&TAs are going to object to giving waivers out for pull altitudes because they assume some additional risk, when before there was none. People are pulling higher now anyway. There was no reason to raise the altitude. Jay Stokes claims that this will 'force' the AAD mfgs to raise the AAD activation altitude. It's not going to 'force' them to do anything. They will have more latitude to do so, but 'forcing' them to do so is BS. If the AAD mfgs wanted to raise activation altitude (and they do want to do this), they are free to do so now and distribute another model, just like they did with the swooper model. . Some issues have in fact been discussed in the past. The repost, this post, is in response to a dare, (someone dared me to do it,) so don't take my head off will ya??? Nor am I directing my opinions at any one person, nor am I angry at skydiving, I'm just pointing something out about this media and some of the effects that as human beings we forget about sometimes. The age limit was in the works for some time and more than a few saw it coming. Kudos to MakeItHappen for bringing a number of issues to the table years before the rest of us saw it coming/ and or after the fact. On the other hand many, many, concerned skydivers were and have been discussing the age limit long before the recent meeting as well. I think the opposing view, those that opposed the increase in the age limit, see some of the responses here and think that this was a majority view and the BOD ignored them. I also think that many people who held that the age limit should have been increased long ago, have kept their mouths silent for a number of reasons, many of which I don't fully understand. But the fact remains that in my talks with many other people the majority of individual skydivers wanted the age increase. It's just that everyone here didn't "see" that. Perhaps, IMO, a few very vocal and visible individuals here are perceived as some kind of majority, but in reality they are a minority. I don't know, but some of these issues clearly indicate, to me anyways, that there is a need for more discussion of some of the upcoming items that are on the agenda. And certainly more involvement and understanding of the other persons viewpoint. Many people, based upon the responses in the other postings here, about the age increase feel that they have been blindsided and or the BOD has operated behind closed doors. I don't see it this way. I see the BOD being engaged with many people that don't use Dropzone.com as their exclusive source of information. In other words there is more to communication than the internet. But many fail to grasp this point. This little psych effect is a kind of "displacement." Think of it this way, ten posts here is not the same as a BOD member getting 50 phone calls. Also kudos to this person for being humble and dignified by their current conduct. They continue to show us their wisdom and knowledge and their commitment to skydiving!!

Not sure if this has been posted before, but nothing ventured, nothi,...anyways: I think they are 2 shots with the dust covers removed. See attachments. It is for sure a Howard but I don’t think it is Elsinore. Sparky Here are some pictures that are a little easier on the eyes: Capewell And here is from some internet site, Kind of fun????? Anyways I'm sure most have seen this already, but for those that haven't: Flicker My thanks to the original Flicker up-loader!!!

You Pack Your Own Chute Something I saw, didn't see it listed anywhere else,...I don't know, some might enjoy watching? C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Thanks Amazon for pointing out how the "cure" to GWT affects big energy. Regardless of how you define GWT, whether it exists or not, what are the things that actually would take place??? I mean take this from hypothetical rhetoric to actually doing something. This is the heart of this Dragon! On the other hand are you going to enjoy playing with Nintendo by candlelight?

Hey Big Dreams, I just wanted to point this out about some DZ's if ever your up that way? Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Thanks, for the opportunity to screw up, I was thinking it was all on me, but I guess this one was a joint issue. So thanks again for the opportunity to screw up, I mean thanks for the web site in the first place and all of your unsung and hard work!!

It's in "My Recent Videos" and I can't delete it and it doesn't work???? C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Just wanted to post this here, didn't see it anywhere else on DZ.com,... Linda C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

It seems that a board dominated by those who do not want to take the legal liability at THEIR dropzones.. so THEIR board spoke.. apparently with little or no debate. Actually, this issue has been going on for a long time. I have heard this argument from a number of BOD's since the late 90's. But the actual debate, this time, I don't know how much time they spent on it, cause I wasn't there, perhaps as time permits some can comment on that. It is not really a individual DZ issue, IMO, and if you are taking the position that your supporting the minority view, it really is a minority view and considering the numbers of 16 year olds that actually jumped. Considering the risk to all jumpers, this really isn't a valid argument. So I take it that you supported the under 18 age crowd??? Once again this was about reaching a consensus to protect skydiving, NOT 16 year olds. I congratulate the USPA for taking a stand. Obviously we are going to have more than a few take up an opposing position, so I ask you this? Are you one of those 16, 17, year olds that feel as though your voice wasn't heard??? Cause ya know what, I haven't heard from any 16 year olds stating that the USPA ignored them over the years. In fact the USPA has bent over backwards for years to accommodate everyone! AT considerable risk! NOW when the clear majority wants to protect skydiving, you speak of domination??? This is the point. So perhaps next time you can enlighten us as to those "THEIR" you are referring to. Cause I certainly am not clear as to which DZ's and who you are referring too?