ChrisD

Considering the ramifications of our modern society it's about time. The idea that "we" need to be fair to everyone, at the legal expense and potential cost to skydiving as a whole is long overdue. This was pointed out to the USPA in 2007, with the Report!!! They didn't listen, the reasons were a muddled pile of various opinions about the various states and the legal age of majority, and we need to be fair to everyone. This led to the rise of S/L jumps and other means to circumvent common sense, so that a very small minority of 16 year olds could jump. It was never about bending to the whims of the manufacturers as compared with protecting the majority. I'm sure if a group of 16 year olds and their liberal lawyer parents want to jump they can get together and form their own association. But this protection to skydiving as a whole is the right thing to do, although I suspect it is a step in the right direction, it is not a guarantee nor will it be an absolute cure. Who were we protecting anyways? A handful of kids and their delusional and distant parents?? The risks were never worth it in the first place! Skydiving is not safe. "...all parachuting equipment is prohibited from use by minors,..." Period. Just my two cents, for the last 40 years,... Kudos for the USPA's attempts to take a decisive action rather than the tabling of an issue because they don't want to reach a consensus, ibid posthumously to be fair to everyone C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Different people have different views. I consider it a scientific puzzle. I haven't espoused any solutions, nor even claimed it was a PROBLEM for the planet. We are changing the thermal balance of the planet - that is indisputable. Where it ends up is as yet unknown. Being unable to predict exactly where the heat is going does not meant that it's not going somewhere. But to return to your constipation argument, it will eventually manifest itself in ways that humans may find unpleasant. I expect to be long gone by then. Ya know this is just going round and round again and again!!!!! I give you some concrete tangible thing to research and look up, and a lot of this is not going to be on the internet and Wikipedia and that is the subject of "trigger points." Trigger points are the actual real life things that various governments and many organizations are actually doing as we speak. Yo can research this, you can take the time to see what actions are currently taking place. And this can be done irrespective of your opinions about GWT. Boston, San Francisco and a few other American cities have recently enacted legislation, which was approved, regarding their local building codes. Things like moving the mechanical systems to the roof and a minimum distance above mean sea level. Alaska has started a Native relocation and protection program, our "Protectorates" have also started to fund relocation programs and have current documentable programs in place. This is fact, not debatable speculation. But what is taking place in the USA is just a small, very small sample of the steps that other countries are taking, and all of this is fairly easy to research!!! You guys really could learn something, right or wrong about the steps that are being taken NOW. Just my two cents for today,.... C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Thanks for the PA,... I was responding to this, the OP: Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning???

How do I? I messed up again with up loading a video, how do I delete it? (Not always the most computer literate person.) Sorry, Chris But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Has anyone asked about her practice flares at altitude? Can she touch her thighs, as an example? C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Got your asbestos longies on? The first few thoughts that come to mind (in no particular order): Is the buckle TSO'd? Can it meet TSO standards? What would it take (a big pile of money)? How strong is it? What are it's failure modes? - Will it fail to lock or unlock? What happens when it wears? How easy is it to accidentally release? I'm sure I will think of more, but that is what comes to mind. Lets talk a little bit about some of this TSO and hardware in the same sentence thing,.... Lets talk about welded rings in comparison to forged rings. Lets talk about old military specifications, which most people can't even find anymore as compared to the boating industry, which is where the majority of our hardware comes from. My point is don't believe that some esoteric standard, that is very loosely enforced is the final word. You think every piece of hardware is TSO approved, or comes from a totally reliable source???? I've been to UPT and CPS and I have to tell ya there is a totally different mind set as to where your hardware comes from, those two places know exactly where their hardware comes from, they have the certifications and lot numbers to inspect, trace and control everything. OTHER places, well lets just say their is a world of difference in quality control. So to hang your hat on somebody's word about something meets TSO as compared with those that have your safety and their business in mind is a big mistake in my opinion. There was no "bin" of TSO rings when the first three ring was invented, so how does that fit into your point about equipment meeting some standard???? Don't hang your hat on hardware meeting some standard when there is more to it than such a simpletons view of hardware. I wish more people would just take a greater interest in some of this stuff, hold it in your hand, do you know what to look for, is the chrome plating flaking, does it look cheep? Stuff like that, ask someone else, my point being just don't trust some paperwork or standard, there's lots of great hardware out there without paperwork but can you tell the difference??? Who's interests are the players interested in? Your idea about the goofy'ness of this idea is perhaps a great idea after all,... if it promotes some discussion about being more gear aware!!! Thanks for the question! I spend my time thinking how to remove as much hardware from design as possible, if I can remove just one grommet from a rig, and also improve reliability and performance, as well as safety, then that is a goal,... certainly not trying to decrease the reliability of a system by increasing it's dependence on mechanical means. Incidentally there are millions of rigs throughout the world with lots of snap buckles and spring loaded stuff. The bulk, the added weight, and the added cost were found to be not necessary for civilian jumping. As well as the mandatory equipment jump checks, both on the ground, in the air, and at the packing table. WE have enough forgetful people now without adding additional failure points into the equation. Just my two cents. C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

You might want to consider this: Slip in Slide And any discussion about water needs to include something called : "Insolation." This is the other indicator that everyone completely ignores, this is what is killing us at the moment. How convenient that this subject gets repeatedly ignored. And it is purely a mathematical discussion, it can not be reduced to discussion and words or opinioons, which is why once again any "real" scientist, not one who has the publish or perish doctrine as their personal golden rule as their moral yardstick, well anyways, this mathematical discussion is what keeps laypeople, who vote, in the dark. So back to my interruption here: Insolation, and what real scientists are doing??? Right back to "trigger points," science guided not by empirical facts and natural phenomenon, but political action tailored to public opinion. In other words when sunscreen is the most valuable commodity on earth, well the Koch Brothers will corner tha market on that stuff as well,..... Trigger points, doomsday scenarios being planned right now at a college or University near you! Somebody call Havaard, MIT, Stanford, etc,...and just ask if they have contingency plans for moving to higher ground??? Just that point alone: "do they have plans????" Ok, guys, sorry to interrupt, back to your conversation, sorry,... C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

I can't think of any negative reason for taking an AFF class again. I mean you have everything to gain. More practice, the added safety of two jumpmasters, and every jump is a good one! Some will point out: recommendations, the SIM, the differences between the differing student categories, but in the end my opinion is to get in more practice, way too many view this as unnecessary, but it's not them that are jumping. You have used the word: "need to." In a sense, to me anyways, this is implying that you don't want to take the AFF class again?? So if this is the case I would ask why wouldn't you do something that makes sense, increases your practice and knowledge and certainly stacks everything in your favor??? You have indicated your going to get some tunnel time, which is always a lot of fun and great practice! Are you going to get coaching from a skydivers perspective while at the tunnel?? There is a big difference in performance having a tunnel coach that knows your goals as compared with the tunnel staff that just wants you to have fun? I know for many this subject of taking a Cat A jump with two AFF instructors is a difficult bone for many out there, I mean what is and what isn't required as compared with creating the best possible learning environment, and stability concerns in the light of many AFF jumpmasters indicating they can do a CAT jump with one jumpmaster. Put another way: Why does a CAT A jump require 2 AFF instructors? Why can't we have just one? (Think about this for a bit.) In my opinion if we had two jumpmasters for many of these jumps, we would have a better safety record. Many will point out the cost as the sole determining factor, and some will point to their madd skillz and having two is unnecessary, but I'm willing to bet there are two people that wish they had brought along the reserve side JM if recent statistics about what happened fairly recently are any indication of the current state of many peoples attitude. (I am of course referencing the incident at a popular Florida DZ where both student and instructor lost their lives. No one is arguing against having two jumpmasters in that case.) But some of this is your decision, I'm just pointing out the overwhelming attitude of taking shortcuts as compared with the minority view of taking it safe by repeating levels and increasing practice at the purportedly expense and stigma of social pressure. In other words "people" are going to talk you into doing something because that's the way everyone else does it. That doesn't mean there isn't a better way. There is a better way, it's just not "Popular." But that's just me. C I would recommend the benefits of taking an AFF FJC and another CAT A jump. MY OPINION. But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

The captions thing didn't work for me until I set translate to Afrikans . Otherwise, what a nice vid!! The Clash will never mean the same to me! C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Wow, Congrats!! C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Dense. You also need to understand that water density changes as a function of temperature, if your going to go that route,...

Kauai? No. That's north shore/Dillingham field. Excellent piece of work as always, JT. ChrisD, sometimes you still amaze me with where you can twist up BS beyond recognition. Then just ask me to clarify what you don't understand????? I have friends of color that get very upset at the mere mention of being singled out because of the many other perspectives and viewpoints that never get mentioned. If you want to just limit the discussion to the cinematography and visual presentation, that's fine. But many view this as just another taboo topic promoting racism in a corporate world. After years of dealing with this issue of discrimination, and exploitation, and how some are treated, and seeing the pain and suffering on THEIR faces, took me a long time to "get it" as well, I take the opportunity to voice a little. On one level I want to say deal with it, on another level I want to understand why so many don't understand this point??? Perhaps this will inspire some to consider skydiving when in the past they wouldn't have. Not everything is negative here. I see a real danger in being too politically correct, and especially when there are so many topics that we cannot have a discussion about. This is progress??? How does this relate to skydiving as a whole? Is this an issue that's worth pursuing? Or are the economics of skydiving the only barrier for people of color? I'm going to STFU about this subject for now. Either I'm wasting my time trying to present a minority viewpoint, or this isn't the place to ever have this discussion?? C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

Those aluminum angle things with two slots in them. Used them on the packing table. Along with small sand bags. For the longest time, I used them, scared to not use them. Then I discovered, the why bother,... but that's another subject. I was scared to actually pack on the ground, for the longest time. Lost more than a few of the "line separator's" or whatever there real name was. Line Holders. Many people had them. Why did we even use tension ? I remember some packing tables had long webbing and buckles that you could really get a lot of pull on. After a time I remember the flipping method V the figure 8, and just let the trapped air run all the way to the apex, to make the fold. I used to like seeing the trapped air make that fold

Has nothing to do with haters,... and quite frankly I don't understand why you would say that,.... It has to do with a person that want's to come to a dropzone to jump, and not be known for her skin color. You can respect that or not. Not everyone in the world sees the world the way you do. And not everyone feels that people of color are treated fairly in our media. But if your point is to get that market share, knock yourself out. C It is a nice vid though,...

I've only been around since the early "00s", so I don't pretend to know about the "old days" other than what I've heard. But skysurfing died because it was a dead end. The learning process was interesting. Learning how to get on top and stay there and make it go where and how you wanted was a challenge. But once you got that down, there really wasn't much to do. The only real moves were spins (upright and inverted) and zooming past the camera flyer. So people got bored with it and moved on to bigger and better things. Freeflying and wingsuits both have a lot more potential for growth, innovation and development. So they became popular and boards went away. It looked a lot cooler than it really was. As usual, the resident "Expert In Everything" has no clue. Skysurfing,???? So you can take the time to post which tunnels allow boards??? Right????? C I think we are speaking about two sides of the same coin here? It is a very popular question, still, I mean I heard some student's speaking and asking about it just the other day. Kind of the chicken or the egg demise? Did a search here and not a lot of recent discussion about the why other than as you point out. But still a very popular clip in the media. I mean you still see a fair amount in commercials and such??? But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."

That is a serious loss. It was such a great ice-breaker for hitting on the hot whuffos. WORTHLESS without PICTURES! Nice.

Their not farmers, they don't know,.. BUT in this legislation are many provisions that make filming our food supply and processing plants ill eagle. Remember the peanut sal and contamination, it took the FDA, CDC and about 20 DEAD kids to fine them. And not being able to film the processing plant was a major problem in bringing these abusers to light. Our food supply should not be a national secret, this is what is at the heart of this, not those peta dopes!!!

Skysurfing Most wind tunnels no longer allow boards. If anyone would post who does, that would be appreciated. Additionally many DZ's don't want the liability, nor the aircraft owners as well. It might be nice if someone, anyone, would post a list of who does and who doesn't. Just my opinion of the current state of affairs of "Objects," in the sky. As far as some of the other stuff in the 90's and the 70's as well, as now, we had these things called phones and we used them extensively,.... Frap hats were very common, but they didn't "rule." We had Stilletto's and a few others, we even had some nut in TN that was jumping a 60. Many jumpsuits were skin tight. I don't recall the "go low scene" ever, but that's just my opinion. Go low in the 70's was because of 2,500 foot ceilings and you could do a static line jump. We still have frap hats, they are a debatable, by many, for safety reasons,... common feature on the majority of tandem students. And it certainly is debatable, for society that is, that the internet is a good thing???? But considering many live and die on the internet it's nice that you take the time to point this out????? I mean the reference in the old section, or perhaps the inference that not having the internet was a negative thing??? We got along just fine without the internet in the 70's and the 90's, thank you very much. Gee wiz, " you had to drive to the DZ,..." It wasn't a problem.

It might be helpful to actually come up with some reasons, or features that you like or dislike.

Thanks.

I wonder how the folks in Texas, N. Dakota and Oklahoma would feel about Illinois, Michigan and Indiana taking their oil and gas. Good point,

Here's one you guys might enjoy? I'm not sure of the name, it's something like the Great Lakes Conservation Lobby??? Anyways,... They are laying the legal groundwork to stop the Government from taking water out of the Great Lakes and pipe-lining it to Nebraska and points west. Of course companies like Felker steel and others have a different viewpoint about this, anyways, sorry to bust in like this but it seemed an appropriate bit of real world fact and some actions that people concerned with GWT are taking right now! I'll post a link if I can remember where I put it, in the future.

I'm not sure what you said, BUT Thanks! C But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump."