Doug_Davis

One of our vendors (MTI) makes two you should look at. Belt mounted http://www.mtiadventurewear.com/sup/web4009-web-fluid-20 Yoke style http://www.landfallnavigation.com/mustangmit100.html?cmp=froogle&kw=md2016&utm_source=md2016&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=froogle The fanny pack/belt style would probably be preferable for skydiving.

In all seriousness, I know. Its just the basic Flight 101 and 102 course. Its just as a new skydiver I of course dont always stick a stand up landing, especially when using a new rental canopy I'm unfamiliar with. So rather than potentially messing up the nice new Tony suit I bought, I just needed something with some abrasion resistance.

I actually have a bunch of my old BDU's from service and even some of my old blue BDU's trousers from my time with NYPD but was looking for something a bit tougher than standard ripstop. Those are badass looking! And they come in regular ranger OD green! Ordering them in the morning! You are the man! Well I figure Im up to 38 jumps now. Time for a sub-100 main. Trust my rear risers and never give up the gates!

Those are actually kinda cool. Although the leather patches on the outside rather than the inside would help with abrasion from sliding in or PLFs more.

Sent them a message but I doubt they could get it through customs and to me by this weekend.

I need something tough and durable for a canopy piloting course Im taking this weekend. So dont have time to get anything custom. Anyone recommend a manufacturer that makes decent stock stuff? I havent really been able to find anything through Google except Pittz and I cant tell if they are still in business or not.

According to that old thread it wasnt "hidden" as it seems on his old Youtube channel he posted multiple videos of himself and either an instructor or coach from the DZ jumping with him. Seems some people were looking the other way or are blind as bats in doing gear checks. He attached the camera to his hand, then put a glove over it with a hole cut out. How you can conclude that the camera was not hidden is beyond me. I didnt "conclude" that. I said based on the fact he ALSO posted videos from jumps 13, 15, 18, etc etc as a student, some where the instructors are looking or talking directly into the camera, some supposedly where he takes the camera out on the plane, it would seem probable that the staff or others knew of the camera. The videos have since been deleted. They were discussed in the old thread, the link to which has been posted numerous times now. Go read it.

Many of us assholes went above and beyond for a stranger who wasn't keen on helping herself and using the proper channels that were suggested by many well meaning and kind hearted people. Regardless of your insult, I'm glad you're supposedly getting your gear back. Hope it isn't tampered with. ^This +1 I contacted Joe at Westside and Skydive the Ranch for you. Something anyone with two brain cells and a phone could have done for themselves as a mature functioning adult. Yet you couldnt figure that out. And now me and others who tried to help get insulted. Good luck in life.

Uhm....

What news on the Rialto? Mark I asked two carriers for quotes. Had to fill out questionnaires about the training from program for instructors, emergencies procedures in the event of an accident, etc etc. Submitted all the paperwork Thursday. Hope to hear something back next week.

I've been to a few boogies where some of the locals are jumping but not paying the fee. Okay, fine, no tshirt for you. But then when I see them in the food line. . . I've seen that before. I think some of us who are hardworking and are perceived to "have money" get the shaft and taken advantage over with stuff like that. One night last season at the dropzone I put in money for pizza ($10) and didn't get but one finger diddled small slice and I wasn't even told when it arrived. People who didn't ante up were digging in. I was pissed. I hate freeloaders. If you hate being poor then get another effing job to afford to keep up with the others. Not sure that has anything to do with someone being poor or not. I know honest and trustworthy people who are poor. That seems like it was more about spoiled, thieving, dishonest douchebags.

Roxx you have Westside Skydive listed as your home DZ. Was he a rigger there at either the MN or TX location? Did you call Joe Johnson the DZO? Past friends or not, he has stolen your rig, call his boss and call the cops. As former NYPD officer, I can tell you in nearly every state a larceny (theft) over $1,000 in value is a felony.

I thought they did? Tracing= Angle flying yes? I get confused.

I know some people here have speculated about the possibility of doing a BASE wingsuit jump from Everest. Seems its happening come May this year. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/mounteverest/10664395/Daredevil-to-jump-off-summit-of-Mount-Everest.html

5th post in this thread had it. This thread also alleges he didnt have an AAD. I dont know who or where that information came from, but since he was a student that would be a clear BSR violation. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=4442054;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; Pictures posted from that thread showing very frayed risers and broken suspension lines: fuzzy risers https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EiPbCcDn08E/UMrv484lOJI/AAAAAAAAAe8/lfrDzwv5cO4/w727-h363-n-k/LEFT-RIGTH%2BOK.JPG Broken suspension lines https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zKM0VflTKkI/UMrvEKIdVYI/AAAAAAAAAeY/PPT2tn2QY30/w593-h300-n-k/I%2BMISSED%2BTHE%2BSLIDER%2BPROBLEM.JPG Another shot of lines https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dsEZ6i_FeQI/UMrtxgFc3gI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/6ohNQ3-oo9M/w521-h281-n-k/BROKEN%2BLINES.JPG Those shots were posted and discussed by Stratostar in his post here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4442965#4442965

Have you ever met Allen, do you know anything about him that you didn’t find on the net? I have known Allen for over 20+ years and know him well. Worry getting yourself up to speed. That wasnt directed at you was it? It was directed at the jumper from the UK who didnt know anything about Allen nor attempted to find out who he was. Did you read the old thread at all? Did you read my reply right above your post? Do you actually read anything or do you just like to argue? In the old thread about this incident there is a clear still frame photo of the opened chute. There were broken suspension lines on BOTH risers as soon as the chute opened. They did not appear to have broken from the opening. Both risers were also very fuzzy with wear and use. Do you know this as fact? Can you name one DZ that is doing that or is just rumor out of control? Yes, I know this for a fact. No Im not going to publicly name them but Grue and I have been chatting about it in PM's.

Setting all the rest of your post aside, do you really, REALLY believe they're REPACKING a canopy with broken suspension lines? I guess it's possible but I'm extremely skeptical. As for F-111 canopies with over 500 jumps… so? I'm sure the Raven IV I used from jump 1 until jump 45 or so had substantially more than that, but it was safe and fine. Also prepared me well for the first time I did a chop with my own rig and found myself under an F-111 7cell. In answer to your first question, did you go back and read the old thread? Look at the stills from the video? The suspension lines were broken on BOTH risers as soon as the chute opened and since opening shock was negligible in the video I assume they were packed that way. Given how fuzzy and sketchy looking the risers appeared in the still shots Im not surprised.

You dont know anything about the professional reputation of the Master Rigger involved in the inspection of that rig. http://www.silverparachutes.com/about-us/ You might want to educate yourself. Agreed. 100% agreed. Thats what people refuse to acknowledge. Skydiving is a business. And sometimes business owner's cut corners on aircraft maintenance or rig maintenance to save a few pennies. Sometimes they let questionable students keep jumping to get those dollars. And then when it catches up with them everyone blames the jumper or student instead of the DZO. I even seen posters on here defend DZO's when they werent following FAA regulations on aircraft serviceability inspections or mandatory parts replacement! Things that could kill a lot of people. Any student I've put in the air on their own (student) equipment does know how to do that before they board the aircraft. All 2500 of them. Period. Good for you. Seriously. Unfortunately not every DZ is using brand new properly inspected and maintenanced equipment. And they arent about to tell their students, "Hey this rig is 20 years old and has a few broken suspension lines due to age, and its due for a reserve repack but you should be fine." They want to get paid. There are DZ's out there putting up students on F-111 chutes with way more than 500+ jumps on them. This seems to amaze some people, but it happens. This post from NickD sums up my feelings. Everyone is always so quick to completely blast the newbie or the student. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2986032#2986032 Otherwise feel to keep blasting at me, but Im done talking about this. Ive said my piece.

If you haven't figured it out already this sport unlike most in ALL about personal responsibility. There is no nanny in freefall. It's not a joke when we say "the only guarantee in skydiving is that you WILL land". Wake up to that or get out of my sport. So in your opinion a student should show up on day one knowing how to inspect a rig for damage and/or serviceability, or anything that happens is their fault? Somehow I dont think you really believe that. And if you do then I pray to God you dont own a DZ.

Just to further clarify that isnt exactly true. A waiver in most states will protect a business from normal negligence (what would a prudent professional do in these circumstances), ie accidents. It wont protect a business from: gross negligence- what would even a careless person do reckless conduct- generally criminal conduct willful or wanton conduct- intentional or utter disregard for others safety intentional acts- purposefully created with goal of causing harm There are only four states Im aware of that will uphold a waiver for gross negligence (FL, NC, IL and my own KY) and two for reckless or intentional acts (PA, WV). And IL isnt a sure fire thing as the 2012 case with Archway showed. Businesses can add the language to the waiver (you even agree not to sue for Gross Negligence), but its not enforceable in court. Edit- In my industry I attended this conference for years, and while its geared more toward outdoor recreation it would probably prove useful for many in skydiving instruction or business. The educational opportunities are stellar. http://www.nols.edu/wrmc/

You and I are in total agreement on that!

Im not defending him. In fact I said he should have ignored the damn camera and concentrated on his malfunctions, a steerability check and his EP's. But what I am doing is pointing out, as have Nigel and many other experienced people in the old thread, that there does seem to be some very questionable or concerning things involving the actions of the DZO or staff and the state of that rig. You do know it didnt have a reserve seal and thread on it when found right? Did it pop off on landing? Did an EMT miraculously cut it off? If my pointing that out and looking at a situation from both sides rather than simply throwing the jumper under the bus immediately, causes people to dislike me? Thats amusing, but so be it. Im a grown man, I didnt come here for a high school popularity contest. Which is why I use my real name and real home DZ, and not a "handle".

From the DZ statement. He was told several times – not only should he wait until at least 200 jumps before taking responsibility of another piece of gear onto the skydive, but that cameras are not allowed with any rental equipment. It was when the emergency team said they needed to “keep the camera” that I knew he tried to do something he was specifically told he was not yet qualified nor cleared for. It’s obvious by viewing his GoPro footage (contained inside a cut-out of a glove he created as a concealed apparatus to deceive his flight crew and jump masters) When you do a gear check do you look inside helmets and gloves? He had been caught doing it before. ***Just curious what rule do you think he broke? Taking a camera? Thats a recommendation by the USPA not a BSR (ie rule). And according to other videos he posted from jumps #16, 18 and others it could be argued the staff knew he had the camera. It is called “acceptable industry standards”. The same term the FAA used in their report. See Sec. 6-2 page 124 and Sec. 6-8 page 140 of the SIM. These are considered “acceptable industry standards”. For a person with such limited experience you are quick to make judgments. Sparky My experience has nothing to do with the fact its not a rule, and from what other multiple more experienced jumpers on the forum said they saw when viewing his older videos it appeared the staff was well aware he was using the camera. Its just my perception that a lot of posters on this forum always protect the DZO or any business involved in an incident and always throw the jumper under the bus no matter the situation. I like looking at a situation fairly from both sides, especially since Im a newer jumper and still rent rigs. And Im not blaming the DZO either. Seems there is lots of blame to go around on both sides. ^ This is what I mean. What about the DZO's responsibility to give the student a serviceable rig with a rigger packed and sealed reserve? What about the AAD requirement for students? Rumor was he didnt have one, according to old thread. What about the broken suspension lines? They didnt happen on that opening. Responsibility is a two way street, especially when you are operating a student instruction facility. By the way bro that video is hilarious!! http://youtu.be/a645Wx_ymsA

Just curious what rule do you think he broke? Taking a camera? Thats a recommendation by the USPA not a BSR (ie rule). And according to other videos he posted from jumps #16, 18 and others it could be argued the staff knew he had the camera. At least some other old timers have argued in the original thread it seemed that way. Flying on to his back? A failed attempt at a barrel roll is not back flying or free flying. Its a badly executed barrel roll. And shouldnt have pushed the rig beyond its operational abilities since it was a student rig. The biggest problem I saw was that in light of broken suspension lines, and what appear to be tension knots in his left hand brake lines preventing the slider from fully lowering, he did not immediately do a controllability check to see if he needed to cut away.

According to that old thread it wasnt "hidden" as it seems on his old Youtube channel he posted multiple videos of himself and either an instructor or coach from the DZ jumping with him. Seems some people were looking the other way or are blind as bats in doing gear checks.