airtwardo

Smoke signals. 😎

See ~ I still post!

IIRC it was about 80' or late 79'

It was an uppercut - works great, lasts a long time.

Great idea!

Just to add - I always run the go pro during my practice.

Gives feedback regarding both the physical part of the deployment as well as the actual deployment of the reserve.

I always leave the main in as if it's a total. Some of the rig \ canopy configurations these days are rather tight which in some cases acts to somewhat bind the reserve upon deployment.

Better to see anything like that on the ground than at two grand.

steveorino

I have had my PRO rating for 12+ years and have made 100s of demo jumps into High School football games, pro baseball games, etc. We have used smoke and flags. I know the basics, but is there a resource for improving? I want to develop our demo team into one of the most professional demos teams in our area. Any suggestions for taking it to the next level?

Define the next level.

I can give you some ideas on how to get where you want to go - where do ya wanna go ?

normiss

Never spent a dime on them.

Me either...

They gave me a bunch of 'em.

BillyVance

Get your own damn coffee.

Good to see you're still around. Had to make sure.

Yeah I get that a lot...

Julius C. was keeping tabs on me...had to leave Italy it was getting so bothersome. lol.

promise5

Told him you missed him and needed a big hug!!

Bromance !

Yup! Still vertical & takin nourishment!

Roughing it in Colorado...totally gutted and rebuilt a rental we've had for a few decades.

Close to being done but now it's so nice Captain Mom wants to live here.

We'll see...

Nice place but my HOME dropzone is OPEN!

Blue Skies Jumping Jack Flash - Rest in Peace old friend.

~ I've known Jack since two weeks after I started in this sport. He was the 'go to' guy for top notch rigging in central Illinois.

I'd often stop by his place driving between home and college, to get a repack or patches sewn in my Papillion.

Jack was old school cool & understood the challenges of being a jumper trying to get a degree...he never charged me and always fed me. "We'll square it away down the road, obviously you'll be in this sport quite a while."

Jack built much of the demo gear we used on the parachute team - some of that stuff is 30+ years old and still works and looks like it just came out of his loft.

He was hardcore...WWII Airborne combat jump star ~ got married wearing his corcoran jump boots.

Jack lived like he rigged and jumped - better than most.



See ya on the other side and thank you.

douwanto

What in your opinion is the purpose of the student wearing a helmet? Im just curious... I personally dont like them on the student. We use soft helmets to protect the instructor and not the student... no real protection for either in my opinion. I have a few tandems and have yet to have an issue with my students head, They can hear me better with no softie under canopy and I can hear them better as well. I guess there are instances where helmets have protected instructors from head injuries maybe from a wing or hand rail or something but not from the students Ive just never had an issue.... so far... knock on wood.

In my opinion - a helmet give an added degree of protection to the customers head.

As illustrated in the second pic above, there are instances in which the added protection could most likely be beneficial.

A soft hat is better than nothing and can soften a head butt the TI may inadvertently recive.

If we could 'knock on wood' to guarantee things will always go perfect we wouldn't need reserves...it's the time that they don't we need to lean toward the safer side.

But that's just MY opinion.

I'm curious as to the rational behind students not being given headgear?

Is for the photo \ video or are we really considering it that much if a carnival ride it's no longer deemed necessary?

Back when I was doing tandems, the students always wore head gear - just another 'step' in getting them ready for the 'real thing'.

Not for nuthin' but I bet that chop left a mark.

WatchYourStep

******This is one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard. I have know Jeremy for years and he doesn't have a clandestine bone in his body. He is selfless and only cares about spreading the love of his passions with others. I mean did everyone just miss the amazing Patrick Swayze meme he just graced us with? Since everyone here is being unappreciative, I will go ahead and say "thank you Jeremy for you magnanimous gift of Swayze."
Seriously Jeremy is one of the most talented and knowledgeable jumpers I know. On top of that he humble and has absolutely no ego. In fact I was with Jeremy when the incident happened at Wes' DZ. He had nothing but great things to say about you.
My personal opinion is that if you think that you could do better than Jeremy then get off your tail and put your name on a ballot.

That's a load of bullshit...

When 'your guy' alludes that a FATALITY was somehow caused by "safety practices" at a dropzone only open for one day - he showed his true colors.

The actual facts surrounding the incident have shown the entire thing was absolutely no fault of the DZ staff and was handled with professionalism not often seen by the first responders and investigators.

To pull the tragic death of a fellow skydiver out of the hat, make up a lie and throw it like I spear - is the ultimate in low class unprofessionalism and clearly speaks volumes in regard to the lack of fitness & actual qualifications for office to represent members that this airbozo truly has.

Being a great skydiver has nothing to do with being a fair and intelligent representative...with an outright lie - publicly throwing the blood of one skydiver at another in order to advance a campaign tells me and every other member in the organization what kind of character is truly behind this political ambition.

Not a very well thought out move on ANY level...it would appear that at the prospect of losing an argument in an open discussion this person will degrade publicly both the sport and a fellow jumper in a manner that goes beyond despicable.

Not how any of us should be represented...

I knew the deceased and I know the facts...a public apology needs to be made.

What a fucking embarrassment to play that card. UNfreakin believable!

Just for clarification I have no idea who Air Blade is?

As stated above that was an uncalled for statement.

I don't think anybody in this thread disagrees about that.


Understand and apologies for my confusion on the posts author...

I'm working away from home and have only an old IPhone as net acces - makes following the thread a challenge to say the least.

Seeing that kind of over the line lack of simple ethics involving the death of a human being...strikes a nerve within.

"Back when it was a sport" air blade would have been properly educated in the concequences such thoughtless statements have in the real world.

ElJosh

This is one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard. I have know Jeremy for years and he doesn't have a clandestine bone in his body. He is selfless and only cares about spreading the love of his passions with others. I mean did everyone just miss the amazing Patrick Swayze meme he just graced us with? Since everyone here is being unappreciative, I will go ahead and say "thank you Jeremy for you magnanimous gift of Swayze."
Seriously Jeremy is one of the most talented and knowledgeable jumpers I know. On top of that he humble and has absolutely no ego. In fact I was with Jeremy when the incident happened at Wes' DZ. He had nothing but great things to say about you.
My personal opinion is that if you think that you could do better than Jeremy then get off your tail and put your name on a ballot.

That's a load of bullshit...

When 'your guy' alludes that a FATALITY was somehow caused by "safety practices" at a dropzone only open for one day - he showed his true colors.

The actual facts surrounding the incident have shown the entire thing was absolutely no fault of the DZ staff and was handled with professionalism not often seen by the first responders and investigators.

To pull the tragic death of a fellow skydiver out of the hat, make up a lie and throw it like I spear - is the ultimate in low class unprofessionalism and clearly speaks volumes in regard to the lack of fitness & actual qualifications for office to represent members that this airbozo truly has.

Being a great skydiver has nothing to do with being a fair and intelligent representative...with an outright lie - publicly throwing the blood of one skydiver at another in order to advance a campaign tells me and every other member in the organization what kind of character is truly behind this political ambition.

Not a very well thought out move on ANY level...it would appear that at the prospect of losing an argument in an open discussion this person will degrade publicly both the sport and a fellow jumper in a manner that goes beyond despicable.

Not how any of us should be represented...

I knew the deceased and I know the facts...a public apology needs to be made.

What a fucking embarrassment to play that card. UNfreakin believable!

nolhtairt

*********So I'm hoping that things have calm down and KG has rode away?

Shirley, you jest! Just one look at her twitter page is all you need to know. It never stops.

I am thinking MR Gibbs ain't takin care of bidness

I'd hazard a bet that he's tired of her shit and just wants to do his own thing...


Ya know how many people got started skydiving THAT way!

I have two Stylemaster reserve rides...one on a 23' tri-con (with the bands) and the other on a Strong 26' LoPo.

Tri-Con opened faster & oscillated quite a bit but really didn't land me that much harder than the LoPo. I was about 220# without gear.

The high mount Stylemaster reserve opening will teach ya not to have an altimeter & stopwatch on the top panel! lol

There are a number of 'professional' announcers that travel the country doing air shows for a living.

Most have been doing it so long that they can 'fill' time with all kinds of interesting stuff about Skydiving...the history, the gear. the formations etc.

In today's 'politically correct' entertainment environment it's taboo to make anything sound Dangerous ~ instead it's Thrilling ~ just don't try it at home!

kallend

Air to ground video stream would help. Do you know if they're planning that? Otherwise the only thing spectators will see is the break-off at around 6 - 7k

Good point Doc, I don't know it that's planned...logistical nightmare though.

That would be a lotta jumbo-trons in a lotta places to be effective.

That's the reason we exit @ 5k

mirage62

Still to drop 108 people over the field.....well there doesn't need to be ANY PLANES in the air - below us.
Can't see how the exposure to large formation skydiving can be anything but positive provided we avoid some of the "normal" big way shenanigans.

I'm sure there won't be any conflicts regarding aircraft...that week is usually seeded with top-notch ATC.

Trust me, won't even be any props turning on the ground during that thing.

As far as good 'exposure' ~ 'lets' just keep everybody East of the runway!

Landing among the spectators or dinging up some hardware would certainly be frowned upon.

Might wanna keep in mind - because of the type of event it is...the place is crawling with feds who actually know the book chapter & verse.

It's a badge of honor so to speak 'earning' a gubment paid spot in Wisconsin for a week - those involved should anticipate possible scrutiny.

*story time!

Sometimes I've gotten a nod and a "nice job"...and sometimes I've had to show in date licenses, ratings & packing data cards.

Once had a guy inspect my rig & tell me I had to keep the 'conforms to AD' card on the rig itself, in with the packing data card - how that wuffo even knew there was once an AD on that model container - well it's telling.

A few years back a popular sponsored energy drink team did a short stint during the show...wing suit guys pulled ummm...LOW & and a world class swooper did his thing what is 'officially' considered WAY too close to the spectators.

The fed standing on the central platform next to the air-boss made some comments (or so I was told) and 'different arrangements' were made. That's 'No Bull'

OTOH ~ what a fantastic opportunity to show case something most would only see in a ten second blurb (maybe) on late night news...

If I've learned nothing else in the 38 years I've been doing Air Shows - it's 'the sizzle that sells the steak'.

In other words ~ the hype is what makes the real lasting impression. The back 'Story' to start, the rudimentary explanation in layman's terms of what the crowd is about to see...in depth explanation regarding the skill and the thrill.

Then build the anticipation ~ "Best men & women in the country gathered together...highly advanced skills & training put to the ultimate test....dedication and teamwork on a scale never before seen...timing & precision with no margin for error in the MOST adrenaline fueled dynamic environment..."

The 'play by play' ~ "As we see the critical all important base build, those closing in MUST be aware of absolutely everyone's position in the sky around this ultimate WORLD RECORD...unbelievably challenging in that three dimensional SKYDIVING dance floor..."

The yahoo they did it - or the oh so close..."Lets all show our appreciation as these seekers of perfection - these artists of the sky - land softly back with us on mother earth..."

Yadda yadda yadda...


~ ~ Having a pre-written script for the show announcers that's in their grubby little hands, DAYS prior to the attempt / performance is how it's done these days.

I email a copy of our narration to each announcer a week in advance of the show (any show) - followed up a few days later with a phone call to confirm they received it, answer any questions & make any necessary changes.

Baseball is fun to play but pretty damn boring to watch unless there is a talented 'color man' talking up what's happening on the field...this is the same thing -

Welcome to the big leagues fellas - It ain't Skydivin' ~ it's SHOW BUSINESS!

~ I usually stick my index under their nose & ask...

"Hey does this smell like butt to you?"

mirage62

I (for one) certainly understand that. As a pilot I really don't care a bunch about the skydiving but it was a fun way to get to see a little of it.

Sure will be interesting if they (organizers of the big way) can keep on the time schedule.

I could be wrong...but as I understand it, the attempt will be an 'attraction' somewhat separate of the show itself.

There are always things going on for several hours prior to the 'official' start of the scheduled show...gives some leeway with the clock.

We usually do a VIP tandem or two during that warm up time...EAA understands this attempt isn't a 'demo jump' but a shot at a record.

I should probably hook BJ up with the announcers now (if he isn't already) so we can get lots of and the right kind of publicity

Hymm HIM!

mirage62

Yeah, the 100 way was so super secret they would have probably have killed them if they published anything.

Sure hope the weather is good.

Keep in mind it's an Experimental Aircraft Association 'Air Show' - not a boogie or skydiving meet.

99% of the attendees couldn't care less about the sport of Skydiving or the skill involved with what's going on in respect to it.

I've been part of the parachute demonstration opening act there for 30 years...trust me, there is little concern or regard for anything Skydiving at that event.

It primarily attracts the hardcore aviation enthusiast...it was made blatantly clear from the first performance there, that the event is ALL about airplanes.

It's arguably the largest Air Show in the world - a highly technical and choreographed production that is a full 12 months in the planning.

You are given a set of 'performance parameters' that include things like absolute time specific demands for start and duration, presentation and conduct just to name a few - safety & entertainment value are paramount concerns of the EAA.

To the convention management & faithfuls alike...the airplane is the star of the show ~ that kinda puts 'us' at a distinct disadvantage.

That being said however ~ this IS an absolutely fantastic opportunity to showcase OUR sport at a venue & on a scope very rarely afforded us as a group.

I wish the greatest success to all of those involved ~ I hope 'we' do everything possible to capitalize on the exposure!