darkwing

I think this gives some history of that aircraft... http://www.dhc-2.com/id805.htm -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I recall the incident. I remember being glad we weren't on that load. I think the jumper than exited the plane somewhat before it stopped was a guy named Dennis Murphy, but I'm not sure. I don't recall a serious injury, but something broken strikes a chord of possibility in my faded memories. I also recall a lawsuit. I don't recall the outcome. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I wondered when this would start happening. I was sure it was just a matter of time until someone would think we were at 180 days now. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I second the Alti galaxy for the wrist, and vote Pro-Trac for the ear. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

We also had a jump door come off of a C-180 back in the 1970's. Somehow all of the rivets holding the hinge on just decided to let go. We retrieved the door and re-installed it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

At the 1976 World Cup, in Oudtshoorn, South Africa, we were jumping out of military DC-3's (C-47) for 8-way. There is an emergency exit window about midway up the fuselage. Someone wanted to video a team's exit through that window, and opened it up, moments before the jumpers climbed out. Well, being an emergency exit, it isn't fully hinged, so the large, metal-framed window just flew away. Fortunately it didn't decapitate the spotter. The offending country had to buy a replacement. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

nothing better than a funnel while wearing smoke.... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I tried one on, and if I were in the market for an open face I would probably get a Zeus. It was very comfortable, and solid. Not to mention the extra cool factor of looking like Marvin the Martian. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I think you are too worried about "accuracy" . For example, you cite the critical point of flare, at which your method would seriously overstate the effective area. The projected area at flare would be much less, due to the pulled-down tail. The bigger issue is consistency, and it would be nice if all the manufacturers used the same method, which does exist, but at least for reasons of advertising inertia, and product recognition, they don't want to change their method, and I understand that reluctance. They could, however, use the PIA method for each new model, and in a few years all would be well. Let us not forget though that area is only one measure of a canopy, and it doesn't do much good to compare numbers for canopies with different airfoils, or planforms by area alone. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

1. No dogs 2. No dogs 3. No dogs . . . ...you get my drift. This is the single biggest change in skydiving in my 34 years in it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I've jumped a Dehaviland Heron, DH-114, and that was my first notion too, but I've got some doubts. I looked at a photo I found elsewhere, and there seem to be some differences. The one I jumped was mid-1980s in Missouri. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Does the rig manufacturer say it is OK to route that way? IF so, then it is fine. If not, then it is not fine. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Sounds like a good project. Just remember, don't confuse theory with reality. It is OK to compare them, but don't expect them to be entirely consistent. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

As is often the case, it is more complex than you think. Do you measure the spread out area, or the inflated area? How about bottom skin, versus projected top skin? Of course it does have an area, but just like anything else, you had better define your terms. One reason people disagree is merely because of inertia. "We have always done it this way, and it is fine with us if everyone else changes to our method." It confuses customers if a mfr changes how they do it. It seems then that they have changed the canopies they make, but they just have changed the nomenclature. One reason they change the numbers is to differentiate themselves in the market place. I doubt the manufacturers think that someone will say "I tried a 170, but I wanted something zoomier, so I bought a 169." I doubt many skydivers decide anything based on a 168 vs. 169 vs. 170. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I've been jumping for about 34 years, and I don't see skydiving love/marriage/relationships as substantially different than in the non-skydiving crowd. People come and go, love comes and goes, people change, passions change... My best friends in the world are those that I skydive with though. Probably because I hang out with them more than others. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

It's all fun and games until a big, hot blob of molten, flaming nylon lands on your head... -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I strongly second the idea of sitting around and watching a two or three loads. Get a sense of things. Pay attention to what is going on, where and how people are landing, who lands where, etc. It is very important to pay attention to off dz landing possibilities. I think I have landed out at every big DZ I have been to, and many small ones too. I start paying attention to the landscape when I am a couple of miles away from the DZ on my way there. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Not badly, but it is out. Anything with spectra lines and more than about 20 jumps is probably out of trim in the sense that it won't meet factory new specs for line tolerances. In most cases it isn't anything to get worked up over. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

http://members.cox.net/eule/ ... a listing of Google Earth documents for DZs around the world. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Greater than zero. I think the more jumps you have, the more you realize that stuff can happen you have no control over. I've seen them used, and seen them save lives. I don't plan on ever needing one, but I don't plan on needing my helmet when I jump, or a seat belt when I drive either. I do the best I can to jump and drive without advancing my risk by considering the backup safety devices. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I'm a happy Pilot owner (also a 168), but other canopies often mentioned in the same context are the Sabre2 and the Saffire2. Check them out. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Yeah, but how was the scuba diving? Could you put the regulator in your new mouth? -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I helped one of the people involved get it listed on the Google Earth DZ site, but I don't know how things are going. I'll pm you the guys email address and you can ask him what's happening. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

It is far better to start 50% too easy than to start 1% too hard. I had a multi-year layoff, more than once. Each time I came to the DZ ready and willing to do whatever the instructors said, without complaint. It is vastly better to be conservative in these matters. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

There are many good canopies out there. Your profile doesn't say where you live, so it is difficult to give specific advice. Many manufacturers offer you the opportunity to demo canopies. For a small fee they ship you a canopy to try for a while. It is the best way to evaluate canopies. If you cannot demo canopies, you will get a lot of "I like this canopy" and another person will say "no, that canopy is crap, I like this one" or "That canopy is OK, but this one is better." Having said that, and considering what others have recommended to you I think you will be happy with a Sabre2 or a Pilot or a Saffire. Of those, I prefer a Pilot, although I have only jumped the Pilot and the Sabre2. I am on my second Pilot. ps - please don't use all CAPS. -- Jeff My Skydiving History