Pat007

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Posts posted by Pat007

  2. 8 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

    I respect your perceptions. But please understand that there are other views that might be borne of more history: personal history that spans decades. 

    I really do respect your lived experience, Joe. And the only thing we can change is the present and the future. So, if Luke is still on the board when the next election rolls around, and he runs again, and memories are long enough, that would give another candidate the best opportunity to unseat him, if enough people care about it. 

  3. 7 minutes ago, JoeWeber said:

    Nope. I have operated a DZ for 33 years in this region. The reason no one else runs is that they know Kapowsin will farm the votes from their crew. It's been to that point for decades, since when Jessie Farrington controlled the seat, that anyone thought to waste their time trying. I've tried to schmooze Heather at Toledo into trying but she knows it's wasted effort. I also would support Afrika at Eugene skydivers but she's also too smart to waste the time. If Luke would just bail either would be excellent choices.

    If someone thinks mounting a vigorous campaign to earn votes is a waste of their time then it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Luke got 274 votes in the last election without even campaigning. All write-in candidates got 10 votes. I can't believe that there aren't at least 284 votes of non-Kapowsin jumpers to prevail in a head-to-head election (particularly in light of the fact that only about 15% of USPA members voted). I also don't believe that loyalty to a fellow Kapowsin jumper would outweigh voting for a candidate that offered more to the members than a Kapowsin candidate might. Lastly, I think it's a mistake to limit the field of potential candidates to DZOs. The board will be strongest by having as broad a representation of skydivers as possible - DZOs, fun jumpers, rating holders, etc.

  4. 1 hour ago, JoeWeber said:

    My problem is twofold: Kapowsin, his family dropzone has tuned it into a hereditary seat for decades. For me, personally, being a USPA Official would be like a heavy sentence from a judge. Not my thing.  We do have several other small DZ operators who might do a creditable job but they don't have the votes Kapowsin can muster each and every election. 

    I'm afraid that's not how it works. Luke didn't inherit his seat, and there in fact is no such process to do so. Luke ran unopposed in the last election (as did most of the candidates for regional director). I don't recall about the election prior to that but he might have been unopposed in that one as well. If someone wishes to take a shot at his seat the only thing stopping them is their own lack of initiative. The vast majority of members don't vote, so a candidate that could motivate a higher turnout, such as Melissa Nelson did in the last election, would have a high likelihood of winning, regardless of what their home dropzone is.   

  6. I flew a Lotus for about 500 jumps and really liked it. It met my needs at the time and flew and landed great. The airlocks gave it a definite different feel when flying in turbulence, which I found to be comforting. On the ground, the airlocks hold the air in the canopy, but dealing with it became second nature to me. It really only became an issue on high wind days. It's your decision whether you think positives outweigh the negatives.

     

  7. I was told by one of their vendors that they are no longer producing any products. Here's a quote from the vendor:

    Quote

    "Parachute Systems had informed their dealers that they are closing the factory for the unseen future. However, I think they are still providing parts if needed."

     

  10. Don't disregard the VOG. It's great. Very accurate and easy to use. I've been jumping mine for months and just love it. And the developers are skydivers. And, other than being a user I have no connection with the company. Just a satisfied user.

  11. LeeroyJenkins



    Does it literally announce it? As in say verbally what altitude you are at? If so that is cool.

    Not really worth 400 IMO but I already own fancy gadgets.



    Yes, it speaks to you! You can hear a sample on their website: https://vog.ee/
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  12. LeeroyJenkins



    So how does one get the proper alarms for tandem, wingsuit, free fly, or belly alarms? Or different canopy alarms?



    You have the option of turning on or off any of the altitude settings with your phone app. It announces the altitude every 1,000 feet (or use metric setting) from 21K down to 6K when it switches to every 500 feet, and then at 1,500 feet it switches to every 100 feet. Last announcement is 200 feet. If you don't like all those announcements you can change them with the app. The announcement is in the language you set with the app. There aren't any alarms at set altitudes like other audibles. You just have to remember what the important altitudes are for you. It doesn't store different programs for different types of jumps, but maybe that's something they could program in the next software update.
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  13. Alex-Khur

    Next time in DZ let me check it please.



    Will do. Sent you a PM.
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  15. Yes I did. I think I got the last one he had in stock. Still loving it! Will have to check out the cordless charging next time I'm at the DZ where I have it. The only slight negative I have about it is it would be a bit more comfortable on my ear if it was a bit thinner. But, I can live with it!
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  16. Did you know you can see the wing loading of each DZ.com member (if they listed it in their profile) by clicking on the user name?
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  17. I had to get the charger cord seperately. Actually they had one layong around the gear store at my DZ and threw it in for free. I do love my VOG after about 30 jumps!
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  19. Bought one today and put 4 jumps on it. I like its simplicity. Was waiting for them to release an Android app for it, and they did that last month. I had the sound setting on medium, but next time I jump I'm setting the volume to high. Liking it so far.
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  20. I agree with the losy website. You have to email them for the price... The basic model is 260 euros and and full is 350.
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  21. Does anyone have experience with the VOG audible altimeter? I demo'd one last month and really liked it, but before I buy one I'm interested in hearing of others' thoughts.

    https://vog.ee/
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  24. Westerly

    Lotus 170 air locked canopy.



    In turbulence, when I fly my Lotus or Samurai, I fly with my hands all the way up and trust in the benefits of the airlocks. Closer to the ground I prepare to flare quickly if it gets bumpy on my final approach.

    You bought an airlocked canopy - believe in it! You don't want to deliberately jump in sketchy conditions, but use the canopy's advantages when they come into play.
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...

  25. pchapman



    Airlocks: The concept is basically dead in skydiving. Nothing wrong with it though, other than a pain to get air out on the ground. Various threads on it over the years.



    Not totally dead. Brian still makes the airlocked Lotus and Samurai. I have both and you still see them around occasionally. I've no idea how many new airlocked canopies he still makes, but used ones show up on the market from time to time. And once you get used to them, they're not that difficult to deal with on the ground. But, I do catch grief for jumping these at my DZ!
    My Dad used to ask me if someone jumped off a bridge would I do that too? No, but if they jumped out of an airplane, that's a different question...