ldk

377...10-4 over. When they brought in the DC3 the place went over the top. But it had to be....LOL

That's a great post, two damaged ski taxis and the Meridith bros didn't snuff you. Pretty good guys, I jumped alot with Ed Wilkes out of his Beach 18, good fun back in the 70's, sex, substances and sky flying.

Your statement "Trust isn't knowing what someone will do - it's knowing what they Won't do!" Is spot ON!!!!

I try to live by "Never try to eat then exit with more than you can dump @ 1500ft."

Jeannie McCombs in her time was the Queen Lady of the Sky. I knew her for only a short time...What a Lady....

Taft, is or was a DZ

Prior to the Pope being a DZ is was a "Fly in Ranch Resort" If I am correct and excuse my misspelling for I am certain I will not spell it correctly... so I'm going to take shot at it...Useabelie's. That's terrible but the best I can do. The DZ began regular operations in 1972 and closed approx. 1982. It's closing can only be determined by those who operated it. A the time there were a number of causes floating in the rumor bin. The one that I think is most plausible is that local property owners were opposed to the intrusion of their other wise peaceful Valley that was created by the DZ. That's my take...other's might be able to shed more light. The fact is...It was a blast while it lasted.

Jeannie McCombs was a Terrific Lady...I also knew her in the 70's. Was her boyfriend at that time Bill Smith. I also remember a fellow, I believe his name was Jerry Myers. The three were like glue. When the three would arrive at Yolo in Jeannie's Selby Mustang Convertible...the game was on and that evening you know Ed Wilkes, Beech 18 owner/pilot would have a party at his place in Dixon. Good people...Good memories.

When Calistoga closed most moved to Yolo. Pope Valley was a pirate DZ and didn't become an licensed DZ for maybe two or three years after Calistoga. If my memory serves me correctly...pulled a lot of silver.

Thanks for the Pictures...

I believe that a mistake might have been made when saying: that Pope valley was once the "Largest Parachute training during World War II" Still there are many of us who will agree that is was one hell of a lot of fun during the 70's and 80's in a little hide away valley just east of Yolo DZ....Back in the days before Velcro....LOL.

Pope Valley is closed and has been for some time. The runway is basically abandoned except for random local/private use. The "resort" is closed and has been in ruin/disrepair since the DZ closed. The world a we knew it in that area has sadly come to it's end.

Steve...You having me laughing so hard...I have to pull.

Pope Valley...You Bet it was the Fun.in the boonies...Sky Party Heaven. From time to time Igo past it and look and remember with Big Smiles. I have not made a jump in 30 years. Knees....But this Web site might just get me past that. Thank You! An airplane is just a one way Taxi to the Sky.....

In the 70's Jeannie drove the hell out of a Shelby Mustang, light metallic green. I had the chance to jump on a couple of loads out of Yolo on Ed Wilkes Beech 18. I thing they had the "Love" team going at that time. This was just after Calistoga was shut down and everyone went to Yolo.

No fish Farms aound Pope or Calistoga.

If Im correct it was New Years Weekend 1971, Ed Wilkes owner/pilot of the Yolo DZ Beach 18 and Maradoth sp with his 206 had made arrangements with the owners of the Pope Valley Ranch Resort to turn it into a DZ for the weekend. We loaded up at Yolo to transit to Pope. Aparently an unhappy neighboring farmer had gotten wind and set a T bar fence along the West side of the runway. I was on the Beech with about 8 others, we were the first to arrive, it was dusk and Ed didn't see the posts until we were about to touch down... then he did he powered up but still took one in the port wing....He took us up and we bailed. He went around this time landing off the runway to the east. No structural damage was found, Duct Tape, God Bless the stuff, made it possible to continue as planed through the weekend.

While I was just entering the sport in 1970, I got to know Jeannie, Gene Clark, Bill Smith, Jerry Myers and others. Realitive work was the big deal at that time. A 10 man at Yolo was my best hookup. In those days anything larger was a Big Deal, a 20 man was rare. I got into an early 40 man attempt and dropped like a rock and didn't get close. Fun times. Knees got me out of the sport.

The owner was a good friend. I jumped from that plane at Calistoga, Yolo and Pope Valley. It was the primary asset in night time "Mile High Patch" operation when it crashed on landing. I wasn't part of that group, but if my memory serves me...everyone walked back to the house where Ground Zero patches where earned as well.