FataMorgana

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Everything posted by FataMorgana

  1. +1 The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  2. Okay, I think I am finally beginning to understand it. It appears that the act of not sending the completed license application in is a passive aggressive equivalent of a “stick it to the man” move. We skydivers are such rebels . The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  3. I can see your point. However I am struggling to see the advantage of having all of the required criteria met, paperwork completed, and not sending the application in. Like with anything in life things keeps changing and it almost certain that eventually this will apply to our skydiving goals. Also, regardless of what these goals are most of us sooner or later will end up jumping at different dropzones (a lot of them are USPA DZs). So, why not send the paperwork in and get the license that one has already earned. Additionally, it is possible to lose the completed license application form(s) or the log book (unless someone goes electronic) and eventually face the pain of recovering all of that info. It is much harder to lose an issued USPA license number and much easier to recover it. The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  4. I believe it can be done for B, C and D licenses. However, the situation seems to be different for the A license application. One can get away with not sending the completed proficiency card. Only because once it is stamped and signed off by the AFFI, it can serve as a temporary USPA A license. However this temporary A license will expire 60 days from the date signed (see the enclosed part of the application/proficency card). So, it seems that procrastinating the A License application process is not accomplishing much. [inline Al.jpg] The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  5. Point well taken. The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  6. Hmm, so you are saying that you did your recurrency jump with a guy who had no license and it did not bother you. I am assuming that you probably know that the recurrency jump should be performed under the supervision of a USPA instructional rating holder
  7. It must be I guess. Many people I know have issue with a person even touching their gear (especially without asking). How can you even think that there could be a “balance’’ (between increasing risk and pranks), is beyond my comprehension. I have been doing Yeah, I would not be very friendly with a “suck it up cupcake" kind of a joker. Quite the opposite. The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  8. Clearly the best approach is to plan your dive and dive your plan. However, situation in the video looks like a result of funneled formation with a “camera guy” who ended up above his “funneled” mates . Wouldn't it be better for the “camera guy” to a). make sure that he got a clear air space above him and b). simply pull in place ( as opposed to a 10 sec of tracking into a mine field of his mates scattered everywhere below him). Perhaps the rule "if you go low be prepared to pull low" could be expanded with "if you stay high be prepared to pull high" The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  9. My take on this would be along the following lines. Almost any process design by human mind ( incudind oppening of the container) operates based on a specific combination of so called operating parameters (be it the length of the closing loop, fullness of the main or reserve tray to mention the most obvious ones). Typically there are interactions between parameters involved in the execution of the process and their optimal operating ranges. One would assume that manufacturers would test ranges acceptable for all crucial parameters. It is not certain however that all interactions between parameters involved in the process have been identified and therefore thoroughly tested. Hence, in my opinion, the general recommendations within no specifics on how to proceed outside of the optimal ranges. Why would anyone want to operate the life saving device outside of its optimum operating ranges? Because money wise it makes more sense to cover 2-3 sizes of the main with one container. This is not a sensible answer in my book
  10. +1 and thank you for clarification. I guess I needed more coffee writing my initial post
  11. I have been closing my container using Brian’s method (btw also recommended by UPT) for more than 200 times now and have not seen any adverse effects. So, are you saying that using Brian’s method will lead to PC in tow more frequently than using any other method. Personally, I do not see any connection between routing the bridle out of the bottom of the container and PC in tow. Do you have any data (beside the described singular event) supporting your statement. Perhaps, I am not reading this right, so could you clarify exactly the point that you are making. . The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  12. I believe that it is a new waterproof casing that is smaller. Very tight fit. [inline Hero3+.jpg] The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  13. http://sosparachute.com/en/site/parachute This is brilliant indeed. Fun and safety very rarely show up in the same place the way they do in this case . The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  14. I am confused. It seems that the numbers that you are using to support your observation are very different from the skydiving fatalities reported by USPA. Starting with the data set that is off makes discussions about validity of your theory rather impossible. So, would you care to clarify the source of your data. The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  15. Application can be expedited for the approximate cost of one hop and pop. That seems to be reasonable
  16. Demands don't lead to happiness. Put your baggage down....
  17. Are you the guy who created 'Carlos Danger Weiners', a new hot dog brand? The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  18. SIM does not differentiate between helmet cams and other types of cameras. In section 6-8 (E:1) SIM states clearly the following : E. Procedures 1. General a. Prior to jumping, a skydiver should have enough general jump experience to be able to handle any skydiving emergency or minor problem easily and without stress. b. A camera flyer should possess freefall flying skills well above average and applicable to the planned jump. (1) belly-to-earth (2) freeflying (upright and head-down) (3) canopy formation (4) multiple (for skysurfing, filming student training jumps, etc.) c. A USPA C license is recommended. d. The jumper should have made at least 50 recent jumps on the same parachute equipment to be used for camera flying, e. The camera flyer should know the experience and skills of all the jumpers in the group. The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  19. +1 In my book Brian Germain’s method is by far the best for two reasons: •makes it impossible to pack un-cocked PC and •prevents horse shoe malfunction I have not seen too many very experienced skydivers using it though. So, I always wonder if there is any real reason behind it . The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  20. Hi Niamh, Check out free fly suite from Kurupee called Calavera http://www.kurupee.com/color.php?group=suit&model=calavera. I think that is exactly what you are looking for The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  21. Hi Jerry, thank you for your response. I cannot think of any good reason that for the person with a good idea would not file a patent application describing it. Also in US patent law, the reduction to practice is one of a key concept meaning the embodiment of the concept of an invention. The date of this embodiment is critical to the determination of priority between inventors. Description of prior art in Bill Booth’s patent is actually mentioning the Sorcerer container manufactured by Vertigo Base Outfitters and listing key differences between Sorcerer and the Skyhook. Fragment below is from the description of prior art in the US “Skyhook” Patent (US No 7118073). So, it appears that patent examiners had their chance to evaluate Mark Hewitt’s “prior art” ideas yet still granted BB his patent. I guess I am still confused as to why BB Skyhook invention is being questioned.
  22. I am still a skydiving newbie, however I would venture to say that you claim cannot be true. The subject matter that can be patented is very well defined, including required novelty. Patent examiners are typically doing a very good and thorough job investigating existing “prior art” prior to granting a patent . Bill Booth does have a patent granted (with international coverage) for the design of the skyhook http://www.patentbuddy.com/Patent/7118073, so are you really questioning validity of his patent? The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge. Stephen Hawking
  23. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4518619;search_string=huffington;#4518619