Airman1270

QuoteI started out, long ago, with static line. I was scared and nervous to some degree on my first jump, but did just fine. On my second jump, I was REALLY scared... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Me too. Of course I would have been scared even if I hadn't broken my ankle on my first jump ten months earlier. But I sucked it up and launched from the C-206, watching the airplane's silhouette against the late afternoon sky as my static-line T-10 deployed. Beautiful PLF. What was really scary was my third jump almost two hours later. As the engine revved for takeoff & the plane began accelerating, I sat by the open door, watching the runway pass below and thought "Holy crap, what am I doing?" That was in July 1983. Cheers, Jon S.

1) No packers. Pack for yourself. When you have 2000 jumps and are making eight jumps a day while training for the nationals, go ahead and pay someone else to pack for you. Until then just enjoy the process. You'll learn soon enough that there's little you can do, short of using scissors or tying knots, that will prevent the main from opening, usually without any damage. 2) Master rule #1 and you'll never need rule #2. Cheers, Jon S.

Lessee, around 30-ish jumps in the last three years, mostly low solos. About seven RW loads to full altitude in the past two years. Seven jumps this year beginning in April after a five-month layoff. This past weekend made my first dive in three months. Was planning to do some hop & pops, but met w/some friends and went up to 14,000' for a 5-way. Dove out last, flew very well. Currency is overrated. Cheers, Jon S.

Perhaps a bigger rig? Cheers, Jon S.

I remember a photo in one of the "Skies Call" books of a guy exiting a small plane w/skates on. Sounds like an almost certain broken ankle to me. How many people who might want to jump will decide not to after they see you on crutches and learn that you were injured while "skydiving?" Cheers, Jon S. (Broke ankle on first jump. No skates were involved.)

Just curious as to why you would bother doing that prior to chopping. And, of course, the RSL or lack thereof had nothing to do with losing the main, right? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ It was my fourth reserve ride, my first on my new rig (also my first under a square.) I didn't order an RSL but it came w/one anyway. In my mind the RSL is for those 500' canopy collisions. I was riding a line-over under a 220 and had plenty of time, so releasing the RSL just seemed like a good idea. Was under reserve around 3000'. Returned the next two days and spent hours scouring the woods before we found the main. (This is one reason I selected bright yellow. Nothing in nature is that color, but I learned that Autumn in Georgia can provide landscape that comes pretty close.) No, the RSL fell to the field below. I didn't realize it at the time, the subject came up months later when I got together w/my rigger after the repaired main had been returned from the loft. At this point my son said he remembered seeing something falling away following my cutaway. NOW he tells me. Cheers, Jon

Have gotten into the habit of pulling above 3000', but will on occasion take it down to 2500' before reaching for the handle. I can count on one hand how often I've been in freefall below 2000', and I always knew where I was. No AAD or RSL. My new rig had an RSL but I disconnected it before chopping during my last malfunction & it drifted away to certain death in the DZ's lawn mower somewhere. Line twists have never been an issue, as I jump larger mains. When using the old rig w/round reserve I pay more attention to spotting, as my home DZ is surrounded by trees w/few outs. Cheers, Jon S.

...In case my other posts were not clear, I was the one being hit on by a guy who would also freely talk about his girlfriend... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Perhaps this was his way of being completely honest: He's seeing someone but at the same time would like to see you. He's up front about his other relationship, rather than leading you to believe that he's not involved at all. This allows you to make an informed response. Don't know the seriousness of his relationship, but frankly if there's no formal engagement he doesn't owe anyone complete loyalty, Honesty, yes. Cheers, Jon S.

QuoteTalking to non-skydivers is even tougher when you are injured as a result of skydiving...My argument is that it doesn't matter HOW you got hurt. If I blew out my knee playing soccer it's ok, but it's not ok when I did it on a landing?... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1975: Broke ankle playing baseball in high school. 1982: Broke other ankle on first jump. Same doctor treated me both times, said I shouldn't be jumping out of airplanes. I asked why didn't he tell me to give up baseball? No answer. Cheers, Jon S.

Some of the advice seems kinda ridiculous (such as not complaining if he stays out all night) but the overall message is valid. Each spouse should treat the other with respect & kindness. No marriage ever broke up because the wife made the effort to make the home a place the husband enjoyed returning to at the end of the day. Cheers, Jon S.

...they are just bringing it up for small chit chat. If they express genuine curiosity, I'm going all out on it... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Nothing like explaining matter-of-factly the details of swooping like Superman into your slot, while they can't get beyond "What if the parachute doesn't open?" So far my brother & two other friends made first and/or second jumps as a direct result of their exposure to the sport through me, then never wanted to do it again. In recent years a bunch of young people at church have also jumped and have enjoyed telling me about it. Several intend to return. But yes the answer is "You don't." Cheers, Jon S.

QuoteWas part of a (rather large) group of skydivers who were kicked out of a restaurant when we grossed out the bikers by snorting oysters... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ That was you?

As a teenager my family was visiting relatives in Delaware. A music store employee asked me about locating some weed. I explained I didn't know, was just visiting, etc. The owner overheard part of the conversation & asked me to leave. I considerd returning to explain that his employee had brought up the subject, but didn't. Years later I was kicked off the Long Island Skydivers DZ. I was new and had been told not to bother other jumpers for pin checks. Confused, I wrote a short note to USPA asking for advice. They published it in PARACHUTIST and I was banned for life. A few years later I was kicked off the Woodstock, CT DZ following a very hard reserve pull & low opening. The DZO was concerned because I wasn't current & didn't jump much, a situation created by the Long Island incident. He was convinced I'd go in sooner or later. That was 22 years ago. Stopped waiting for my apology after learning that I had outlived him. Cheers, Jon S.

Maybe this isn't the place for details, but what actually happened? Haven't heard any info since the original report. What were the circumstances? If anyone wants to talk a PM would be fine. Lee & I ran in different circles & almost never jumped together, but did share a 2-way at the Farm several years back. Sure hasn't been the same. Cheers, Jon

Was this a first round jump? Perhaps that explains the downwind approach, with the ground doing what it normally does when landing a square. Though a brief discussion prior usually will address such things. Enjoyed the camera perspectives. On my last PC jump a few years back one of the local swoopers spiraled around me a few times real close, wish we had video. We sometimes laugh at/freak out over rounds, but notice that it was only after the elimination of round training for students that there became a need for formal canopy piloting courses to teach people how to land within 200' of a target. Cheers, Jon S.

QuoteI enjoy packing. I remember not liking it at one point. but now, it is a meditation. Make peace with packing, you are reverse-engineering a parachute jump. it's pretty cool... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I learned to enjoy packing because it means either 1) I've jumped recently or 2) I'll be jumping again soon. The rigs have been packed now for six weeks. Every week I think I'll get to the DZ but life/weather modifies my mortal plans. Try again next week... Cheers, Jon

...I need a horney little Jewish Princess With Titanic tits And sandblasted zits A horney little Jewish Princess She can even be poor.... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ So long as she does it with four on the floor! A grinder, a bumper with a pre-moistened dumper... (Love the kazoos.) Cheers. Jon S.

...I don't know of anyone who has ever looked up at their reserve and thought "damn, I wish that thing were smaller." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Yes, Bill. Nearly two years ago, my fourth reserve ride and my first under a square. Had recently "downsized" to a 220 main, but learned I can handle a 190. Cheers, Jon S.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Whose?

Guitar & bass, some keyboard (but not much.) Play in a kick-ass church band and also play at a local open-mike thing. Mostly solo, sometimes with some other folks. Have worked out what I call the "wine & cheese" solo versions of a bunch of classic stuff, such as Steely Dan's "Black Cow," Meat Loaf's "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," The Doors' "Love Her Madly," The Who's "Bargain," The Beatles' "Penny Lane," and a bunch of Paul Simon tunes. This week I arranged a very fine version of Chicago's "Saturday In the Park" and the Moody Blues' "The Voice." It's interesting going from the church band, where everyone is facing the stage & listening politely, to the bar where people are milling around, talking, laughing, and basically enjoying their evening and mostly ignoring you. One of the nicest compliments I got was about 20 years ago when I auditioned in a bar for more than an hour. Almost nobody paid any attention to me, but nobody left. Cheers, Jon S.

...Did you have a sign on your van? If you didnt...my bet would be the people you were delivering to frequently have visitors that block this guys driveway and now he is on edge about it... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Yes, could be. There was a sign on top, the van was idling, and I was wearing the company shirt. It was obvious what I was doing, and that I'd be gone within moments. If a guy wearing a baseball cap threatens you, and you tell him to go f*** off & post the story in "Bonfire," will you be accused of bigotry against people wearing baseball caps? Cheers, Jon

Never heard of Jenna Jameson, (We are talking about a woman, right?) Just my luck, there we are alone together and she wants to... sign it?... sigh. Y'know how people compare sex to skydiving? At least I can GET a skydive. And even at my age, if I have enough money I can do it more than once! Cheers, Jon S.

Thanks, love you guys. A few points: 1) I didn't threaten him, he threatened me. Not that I would return & do harm, but he doesn't know that. Why be a prick? 2) Why should I genuflect to such abuse? Did I not mention that I would have responded politely to a polite request? 3) No, race is irrelevant (I think) but I never back down from slapping political correctness in the face. (Turns on megaphone:) "KSSSHH... It is not RACISM every time a white guy notices that someone might be black!..." 3) Etc. Cheers, Jon

I was delivering pizza to a townhome Sunday evening. While at the customer's door a neighbor came out and went toward the road. We finished transacting commerce and, as I turned to leave, the guy (a black guy - relevant?) returned, showed me a badge, and said I was blocking the driveway. (Yes, I WAS blocking his car, just a little, but he could have easily gotten out.) It quickly became ugly - Cop: "Next time you park over there in the parking lot!" Me: "No, I think I'll keep doing it this way. I'll be gone in a minute and besides, look - you can get out. Piece of cake." Cop: "If you do it again I'll give you a ticket." Me: "I don't think so." (Off-duty cops don't write tickets.) Cop: "Oh yes I will." Me: "Don't you think you're being a bit petty?" (Climbing into van) "You need to mind your own damn business!" Cop: Didn't catch what he was shouting as I drove away. Funny, but frightening. Why did he need to drag a badge into the conversation? If he had just asked me not to block his car in the future I would have said "Sure, no problem." I detected sort of an uppity attitude, an eagerness for confrontation by a guy who is not used to being defied. Was this a quota hire? Don't police have to demonstrate some measure of emotional stability as part of the pre-employment screening process? Not sure his race is relevant, but we're supposed to notice these things. Out of respect for the company whose uniform I was wearing I kept my comments brief, but was tempted to remind him not to threaten me any further, as I know where he lives. Cheers, Jon S.

QuoteQuoteI love arguing with a police officer over the internet, about SPEEDING of all things.. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I'll cut cops some slack anytime they suspend the enforcement of liberalism and harrassment of citizens so as to pursue real criminals. It's not unreasonable to expect them to respond to the type of speeding violations being discussed here. As far as hypocrisy goes, what about the guys from other jurisdictions who are just passing through on the interestate? They're not responding to any emergency calls, so why are they doing 85+ in a 65 zone? If 20+mph over the limit is a threat to public safety when I do it, how is it any less of a threat when a cop does it? I used to get behind these guys and keep up with them, but around 80mph I'd had enough and just watched them pull away into the distance. Cheers, Jon S.