sparrella

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Gear

  • Main Canopy Size
    150
  • AAD
    Cypres

Jump Profile

  • Home DZ
    Quantum Leap
  • License
    D
  • License Number
    27488
  • Licensing Organization
    USPA
  • Number of Jumps
    1200
  • Years in Sport
    4
  • First Choice Discipline
    Formation Skydiving
  • First Choice Discipline Jump Total
    600
  • Second Choice Discipline
    Freefall Photography

Ratings and Rigging

  • AFF
    Instructor
  • USPA Coach
    Yes
  • Pro Rating
    Yes
  1. I'M GONNA JUMP OUT OF A PLANE TODAY Words by Steven Parrella Thanks to William Lovelace Melody by henry Tolman (When Johnny Comes Marching Home) I’m gonna jump out of a plane today, Hurrah--Hurrah I checked my gear and it’s OK, Hurrah--Hurrah The pins are set and my straps are tight I touched all my handles and they feel all right So we’ll all be safe while sky-di-ving today I practice emergencies in my head, Hurrah--Hurrah Cause if you don’t you could get dead, Hurrah--Hurrah I’ll pop my reserve while I’m nice and high If you hesitate, you could run out of sky So we’ll all be safe while sky-di-ving today My canopy opens straight and true, Hurrah--Hurrah You look for me and I’ll look for you, Hurrah--Hurrah Parachutes flying around everywhere I think I’ll do the Linda Blair So we’ll all be safe while sky-di-ving today A few more things that you should know, Hurrah--Hurrah Chicks are hot and beer is cold, Hurrah--Hurrah And the ground is hard, so I’ve been told Don’t start your turn late if you want to grow old So we’ll all be safe while sky-di-ving today (slowly) The last jumper’s down and he’s packed his gear, Hurrah--Hurrah He jumped from the plain with out doubt or fear, Hurrah--Hurrah And his family’s at home wishing that he was near But he’ll probably go out and start drinking beer So we’ll all be safe while sky-di-ving today The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  2. I don't get to sing these anymore (long story,) so I hope somebody likes them. TAKE ME OUT TO THE DROPZONE Words by Steven Parrella Melody by Albert Von Tilzer (Take Me Out To The Ball Game) Verse 1- The experienced jumper Take me out to the drop zone Take me up in the plane If I did everything right when I packed My parachute opens and I can fly back I should see my main by two thousand Or cutaway and pop my reserve For it’s pull, pull, pull or you’ll Die At the old drop zone Verse 2 The firsttimer Take me out to the drop zone Push me out of the plane I’m only here because I lost a bet It’s OK so far, but its not over yet Well I hope the parachute opens, I hope that I land OK They told me that I should arch, But I think I’ll pray Verse 3 Mr. Bigway Take me out to the drop zone I want to jump a big way I studied my grips and I’m ready to go I’m praying to God, Please don’t let me go low Well it’s climb up the hill if you floated Get down to the base if you dive And it’s turn--track-- waveoff and pull Reaching four point five The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  3. Hey everybody: I want to thank you for all the kind messages you have sent my way. It has been a tough several weeks and your good wishes have meant a-lot. I share with you the sentiments you expressed about the victims and their families. I lost five friends on that load. They were all good people and I will miss them forever. Today is the first day I could sit up long enough to use my computer. The Docs tell me that I won't recover the use of my legs due to a burst fracture in the T 4 area. I also had some problems with my lungs that hsve recently healed, so I should be able to start physical therepy this week. I don't remember anything about the crash. All I can say is that I was going to video a tandem and probably strapped in by the aft bulkhead. The Feds have my tape. I have no idea what's on it. The other survivor is currently getting PT on an out patient basis and is expected to make a full recovery. She broke her pelvis and had some spinal injuries. I spoke to her a few days ago and she has a remarkable spirit. I would give aynthing to be there when she finally makes her first jump. I wish I could add more information about the accident. I've been an airline pilot for 22 years and have been trained as an accident investigator. I have no explanation for my lack of memory. It could have been head trauma, or that I was heavily sedated for a week after the crash. In any case, I share your frustration that the exact cause may never be known. I wish all of you blue skies and hope your jumps are safe, fun, and rewarding. Steve Parrella The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  4. I took the course from Bram last year. I thought the training was thorough, professional, courteous and safe. Beyond that, I had a hell of a good time even though I worked my butt off. Additionally, it was straight forward--there were no games. Finally, the other guy going through the course had different abilities then I did. Without putting too fine a point on it, the training we received was tailored to fit our particular circumstances and we both passed the course. I can't comment on any of the other courses or directors, but I'd recommend Bram to anyone. sjp The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  5. I'm trying to replace my logbook but I'm having trouble finding the same kind. It has 5 entries per page and is about 8 * 5 inches. I've seen some on the web that have 5 entries per page, but are the small size. Anyone buy a logbook lately? Thanks The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  6. Anybody have a contact number for EG? His Web Site is down and I have to contact him. Thanks sjp The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  7. Anybody have a phone number for EG? His web site is down and I have to contact him. Thanks The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  8. A few friends of mine asked me if they could see my course notes so I decided to type them up. I know there are a-lot of courses out there and I've seen hand-outs from different courses that offer different methods of doing things. This is what worked for me. I'd be happy to entertain changes and additions. Thanks Steve The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  9. For me, the most important thing is that the student is not freaking out in the door. I spend quite a bit of time having the student practice walking to the back of the airplane and planting his right foot about a 18 inches from the door frame opposite the middle of the door. The student then pivots in several steps around his right foot until he is facing forward. All the while, the main-side instructor is shadowing him and holding on to his legstrap. I emphasize that since all the weight is on the right leg, which is always well inside the plane, the can't fall out of the plane, a major concern for the student. Once the student is facing fwd, I have them crouch to a position similar to a 2nd baseman with his forearms resting on his legs, just north of his knee, and his back as vertical as possible. I point out that this position is just about as de-arched as a human being can be. I'm not really concerned about the right foot being forward of the left because I think the reserve-side instructor's timing is going to control how much the piece turns, but I think it is very important that the student pushes off with his RIGHT leg in order to keep his hips square to the relative wind. I know this is rather lengthy, but I am only hitting on 4 points: Pivot on the right leg to get facing forward Second baseman-forearms on legs and back straight Push off on the right leg Arch is a verb, not a noun "Back's good, Front's good, Radio's on and tested, Main-side has the exit, Reserve side has the ride-out, have a nice day." The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  10. I'm a relatively new skydiver and instructor, but I have thousands of hours as a flight instructor and have noticed some similaraties between landing a parachute and a Boeing 767. Two things happen during the flare. First, as the steering lines are pulled, the canopy changes shape and slows down, reducing its forward velocity. Second, as the canopy slows, the skydiver continues moving forward, causing the canopy to pitch up slighly, increase its angle of attack and lift, reducing its vertical velocity. Get a copy of Brian Germain's book if you want a better explanation. When, how fast, and how far you pull down on the steering lines, as well as the design of the canopy and density altitude will determine how the energy is transferred. But as a canopy pilot, you can only control when you flare, and how fast you move your arms. So now we have to answer those questions, when and how fast. The answer, as I indicated, is based on a very complex equation, which you can't possibly do in your head. Pilots rely on their eyes (and radio altimeter in large A/C) to determine their altitude (flare height) and rate of descent. My experience tells me that most students are not looking at the right place to determine their altitude and descdent rate. Your brain has an amazing ability to determine altitude and velocity (vertical and horizontal). It does this essentially be noting the relative size of the objects as well as the rate at which the size of those objects change. Pick up a cognitive psychology text book for a better explanation. All you have to do is give your brain lots of things to look at. The more objects it has, the more information it gets. The bottom line is that you have to look out at the horizon, not the grass under your feet. I take my students (canopy and airplane) into the field and do deep knee bends looking straight out and straignt dowo to prove the point. The technique that works best for me is to scan the landing area while I am on final, looking out at the horizon and at my intended landing spot, and to force myself to begin looking straight out at the horizon as I begin my flare. Your brain will learn fast. Fall in peace The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  11. I have a Bonehead Optik Illusion (which I love). There is an HC42 in a Cookie Composite Box (which I love) side mounted at a pretty good up angle and a Canon Rebel mounted on top. I've adjusted the angle of the video camera several times now so the video and still camera are not shooting at the same thing. I need to shim up the still camera, which is mounted on a stroboframe. I've seen someone use washers and I've even seen a guy use a piece of wood. Someone was telling me to use a hockey puck and sand it down into a wedge. Any ideas? Thanks The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  12. Guess what arrived in the mail today? The suit is exactly what I wanted. Perfect fit, good quality and the price is right. I called Jennifer to thank her and she apologized for the snafu with the e-mail and told me she is back on track. The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  13. Anybody know of a good source of info for budding AFF instructors? I've been to Rick Horn's Web Site (thanks Rick!). My new SIM and IRM are in the mail. Any other info would be appreciated. Thanks sjp The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.
  14. Anyone know when Rantoul will be this year. I have to put in for vacation and the web site is down. thanks The greatest enemy of the truth is not a lie, the greatest enemy of the truth is a myth.