Poczynek

Geeez, I'm feeling a little confused right now. I ordered a new container (Odyssey/Specter/PDReserve) recently, but when I called to ask them to put a six inch extension on the bridal to accomodate Psycho Pak - I got the "we don't know anyhting about bridal extensions except for Wing Suit flying (which is a hell of a longer then I need), and anyway extensions have nothing to do with packing In addition we don't recommend Psycho Pak as they lead to squirrley openings. This is from a reputable company so I was somewhat surprised. Is this a liability issue or is this really a disconnenct between a major distributor and whats happening in the field? Somebody help me phat, dumb & happy

Hi Steve, I retired in 98, and have been working in Saudi since with Aramco (oil company). Chances are that I ran into skymonkey1 - but I can't say I know him, I have a bad case of CRS. My last assignment was with ASOC at Ft. Bragg - and I did spend what free time I had at the GB club and Raeford. In Saudi most of the SF types are working for contractor in the Riyadh area - I am in Dhahran - so I don't get to see much of them, except at the annual Saudi Arabian Softball Tournament. Hopefully I will get a chance to visit Raeford - get some jumps in during the April time frame , and look up some of the gang. Cheers phat, dumb & happy

Hi PDS, Some 20 years ago as a young special forces trooper we had a team member killed - his only family left were his team mates - on the next C130 blast we convinced the pilot to do a fly by - the team all geared up for a night equipment jump stood up, passed the ashes up towards the door, each saying his good byes - then the team sgt scattered his ashes over the DZ through the troop door - on the second pass we jumped - the Airforce crew chief thought we were all crazy - but to this day it still warms my heart when I think about it. phat, dumb & happy

Thanks nacmacfeegle, I definetly plan on getting to Skydive Spaceland and San Marcos. In fact a friend of mine owns a ranch that borders the DZ at San Marcos and has promised a few cold beers waiting on his porch - I just might have to make an off-dz landing for that - real beer is a little scarce overhere. Once again thanks for the info. phat, dumb & happy

I will be in Kingwood Texas, just north of Houston. Fairly new to Texas, but last year I jumped at Skydive Houston, great people & good jumping. I enjoyed my time there - but don't know a lot of the skydiving community yet. I only get home about 6 weeks year - working in Saudi - for that early retirement. phat, dumb & happy

Hi All, After my performance at the last boogie, I really need to get some one on one, then up to 4 way coaching with some gurus. I will be in the US during the April - May time frame, any recommendations on trainers - schools - tunnel combinations? phat, dumb & happy

Hi Tallies, Thanks for the heads-up, a little bird-man also told me that Claudio was enroute to Kenya. I'll be looking for him. How was the trip to Moscow? very interested in hearing about that one, and jeeeez if we ever get another plane in Um-Al Quwain maybe we can get off the ground again - planning on a December 5 UAE boogie for 3 to 5 days, as you are already probably aware of. Look forward to seeing you there and sharing our Kenya beer-stories. Thanks - David phat, dumb & happy

Hi SwoopMenace, Thanks for the info, winds, surf & locals. I am beginner/novice in Swooping - working on no more then 90 degree turn (rear rises) then transfering to front risers - toggles for a final. Just down-sized to a Hornet 170, loaded at 1.3. From your info sounds like the approach will be tricky - I will play it conservative, and hopefully some more experienced swoopers will be there this year, that I can perform a Vulcan mind meld on. Once again, thanks for the info - I'm already working on the visualization aspect thanks to your input. David phat, dumb & happy

Johnny, this may be a little unorthodox, and take some flack from the true body fliers, but for some of us with back injuries and / or old age that don't have the flexibility that we use to, can use the old push turn to execute a center point turn. Be sure to maintain eye contact and push one hand down to execute the turn. You can spin like a top and maintain position. In most cases on a 90, 180, and 360 degree rotation the hands will be back in the neutral / presentation position for the point. Having said this all of the comments on stretching are great - and plan on trying some of the suggestions myself. David phat, dumb & happy

Hi All, Heading for Kenya (Beach boogie) on October 24th - was hopeful that I could link up with some experienced swoopers that may also be going to work out a few kinks in my approach / landing technique - anyone else on the forum heading that way? Thanks phat, dumb & happy