haggarknew

Thanks for the pic Flyjack!   It isn't the exact pic I was talking about but works just as well.

I think I should add, I mean absolutely no offense to Sheridan P. I probably have less hair than he has.

I thought there was a pic of Sheridan P. from 1972 posted online somewhere?  I may be mistaken.

As per Sheridan being Cooper, it is hard for me to get past him being bald with blue eyes.

10 hours ago, RobertMBlevins said:

Danger from guns and bombs, etc? Sure, I suppose. Recently, I've been amazed at the sheer number of hijackings that were actually going on back then. 

I liked the end of page six and into page seven...where they have become so common that the Eastern Air Lines VP lists all those facts for pilots:

Just cooperate. Fuel is available from the Navy in Boca Raton, Florida if you're going to Cuba...

A Swiss embassy member in Cuba will probably be at the Havana airport when you land. 

Here are the frequencies and other details for Havana Airport..

The Cubans have been through this many times before...blah, blah, blah. 

I thought it was sort of funny that so many hijackings were going to Cuba that an entire system had been set up between two countries basically hostile to each other. 

Although the mention of bombs, imprudent passengers (drunken passenger on 305), might be a reference to the db hijacking, that is really not what caught my attention. I am referring to the following statement , "There is always the danger that the hijacker could insist on diverting the flight beyond the range of the aircraft's fuel supply. This could result in ditching, a crash landing or an emergency landing at an airport without the required length for the aircraft involved."  I believe this statement is in direct relation to the db hijacking.

23 hours ago, RobertMBlevins said:

An extensive study of the hijacking problem was released in 1972. Runs 178 pages and covers quite a bit about them. For serious researchers only, I would guess. 

You can find (and download it if you wish) HERE in PDF. 

Thank you for posting this Mr. Blevins. I find chapter 1 page 5 extremely interesting. I believe a lot of what is mentioned could possibly be attributed to the db case. What do you think?

3 hours ago, RobertMBlevins said:

Well, they did say people could still submit their stuff. I contacted them at a point in time AFTER the alleged closure and they said they forwarded my message to the assigned case agent. So apparently someone in the Seattle FBI (if not the DC branch) is still assigned (stuck with) examining the Cooper stuff. On a side note, I did an extensive search of the Smithsonian website (it actually oversees, or is associated WITH, a whole list of museums) for anything DB Cooper-related. It comes up a complete ZERO on anything, including news announcements saying they are receiving Cooper files, public displays, images, etc...a complete NOTHING. Hmm. 

Below: A few pictures for DZ member Haggerknew.  Assorted images from different campouts around the PNW, whether Cooper-related or not. The picture of the TV/video player was my earliest effort to show media out in the wilderness. (We've upgraded since then.)

The picture of Ozette Island is actually taken via Google Maps, although I have some rather boring pictures of it from ground level. The GM image is better. 

BELOW:  Mt. Rainier from the north side. You can drive to this spot and camp. 

BELOW:  Olympic Mountains, WA State. Telephoto shot taken near Jefferson Lake, Olympics:

BELOW:  Google image of Ozette Island. Six trips there since many years ago. It is no longer legal to go there, since it was named a Wildlife Refuge. Beachcombing on the ocean side of the island was excellent when you COULD visit. Many glass floats. Camped there once in the 90's for the whole summer, one trip back to Clallam Bay for supplies. Two deer lived on the island. 

BELOW:  An early effort to have entertainment at night in the wilderness. This one was taken near Jefferson Lake in the Olympics. The Envizen unit, which I still have, will do DVD's, movies and TV shows from either flash or memory card, picks up over the air digital TV signals with the provided antenna, and plays regular DVD's. In the picture I am running an old Super Nintendo system through it. Weighs less than two pounds and came in a soft case with the accessories. Still works today, although we have upgraded to a 32 inch Samsung smart TV and a media projector with ten foot screen. Sometimes I still use it when I go camping solo. 

BELOW: A Google shot of Darland Mountain, facing west. If you could see farther north and south, you would be able to view the entire Cascade chain from Mt. Hood in Oregon, all the way to Mt. Baker in northern Washington, a distance of about 300 miles. (If you are there, you CAN.) Altitude at Darland is 7,000 feet, making it the second-highest spot you can drive to in WA state. Hart's Pass in the North Cascades is the highest, but there isn't much to see there. I visited Darland Mountain twice, the first time in August 2003 to photograph the closest approach to Mars in 80,000 years. And then I discovered my expensive film camera was not able to advance any film. I went to digital afterward and tossed out the film camera. From the summit of Darland, Mars looked to be the size of an average street light, and was colored yellow/orange. It was amazing...but no pictures for me. The second time I visited, it was just a solo campout. 

BELOW:  A picture of Mars as it appeared from Earth on August 27, 2003. Public domain image. This one was taken from perhaps 3,000 feet ASL. At Darland Mountain it appeared a bit brighter and larger, due to more altitude. And there I sat without a working camera. 

From the Jefferson Lake campout in the Olympics. This is the place the Murder of Earl Cossey video for YouTube was shot. 

Below: Different shots from the infamous 'Eclipse Campout' to Magone Lake, Oregon in August 2017. We had some folks who drove in for that all the way from friggin' San Jose, CA. Unreal...and I thought I had a long drive home after this one. The first picture is the sunset after the eclipse. The other three are shots of the sun (two before the eclipse, and last one during the eclipse) using different modes on the camera, or filters. 

BELOW:  Canon EOS using 155mm telephoto and sun filter. Note the many sunspots.

BELOW: Still shot using sun filter over a Sony HDR SR11 video camera. Digital zoom.

BELOW: Shot of the actual eclipse. Canon EOS, no filter. Note blue ring around the sun. Shot taken from a high spot, and during this time you could see the red light from sunset going 360 degrees all around the horizon for several minutes. Many people, including me, did not realize this happens during a total eclipse. 

Thank you. Beautiful pics. Awesome looking countryside. Hope to see it in person someday.

11 minutes ago, FLYJACK said:

The order of events is crucial...

His initial demand was rear stairs opened in flight,, that was with no stops in the US. 

When they agreed to land in Reno, Cooper's plan changed and he jumped earlier. He didn't want to be on the plane when it landed in Reno. When he readily accepted landing in Reno for fuel he had decided to jump earlier than planned. He then wanted the stairs down early.

 

 

Why did he want the flaps down?

5 hours ago, 377 said:

I and most other old school skydivers would be flattered if we were considered DBC suspects.

Many jumpers claimed to have been investigated by the FBI. I think most of them were lying. That’s how much of a status symbol it was. 

I’ll wave all defamation claims in advance. I had a 727 flight manual in 1971 and lots of jumps with military surplus gear  I had flown to Seattle in 71 a few months prior to the skyjack on a 727. Sigh, still no takers. What’s a guy gotta do?

377

I would consider you a more viable suspect than some of the others being promoted as such.  LOL. 

18 minutes ago, RobertMBlevins said:

Shutter's place has lightened up a bit lately I've heard. Not so the other place, but people can see that for themselves if they choose to look. No big deal...

Some pictures from previous trips:

 

 

Thanks for pics. Very beautiful countryside. It's on my bucket list of places to visit

10 hours ago, RobertMBlevins said:

One thing about Peterson that pointed me toward 'innocent' was his attitude back a few years ago, when he was still going on social media occasionally. He would joke about being a suspect in the hijacking, and make sort of light about it. Not exactly bragging, but you could tell he thought it was funny that people would actually consider him a possible DB Cooper. And when the FBI showed up at his door, he wasn't afraid. He didn't dodge their questions. He provided the DNA sample willingly. He didn't ask for a lawyer. 

But as he got older, and had to deal with people like Bruce Smith and Eric Ulis 'investigating' him, he got a little grouchy about it, especially when a certain person tried contacting his family. Someone who is actually guilty of a crime that could easily put them away for life does not enjoy the attention. Peterson, for a while, DID. 

The guy has marched in peace rallies, civil rights rallies, and jumped all over the world. Even if he had decided to pull off a hijacking for money, he certainly wouldn't have come to the party dressed in loafers and a suit. No way. One thing about Sheridan is he always showed up prepared any time he was going to jump. And he's made thousands of jumps in his lifetime, although I don't know the exact number. The idea that he would make a phony (we hope) bomb, threaten peoples' lives for money, and show up to do it without even a pair of decent shoes is definitely NOT a Peterson move. His whole life has been one of standing up against violence, injustice, and he was a teacher to boot. If you want to judge a suspect on personality alone, his chances of being Cooper are less than zero. 

Robert says:  Pics from one of the Adventure Books of Seattle Cooper campouts? Because you were talking about something else, and then I saw that bit from you sort of inserted into your comment. LATE EDIT:  The WordPress article on the recent campout is HERE.  We are totally crazy, of course.  I have deleted my access to both the DB Cooper Forum and Bruce Smith's Mountain News, so if you are one of those there making the usual nasty comments about Gayla Prociv and yours truly under phony usernames and identities...I'm not seeing them anyway. I feel pretty good about life ever since. It's been two weeks since I cut the cord, and each day gets easier all the time. I'm already planning the next campout, only this time I won't have to haul mass gear 200+ miles to do it. We're going back to the Olympics. Apps are already coming in from people who want to attend. Down with the haters, up with the positive and fun stuff. That's my angle on this whole thing. I may scrub toilets for a living, but brother...hatred is not on my agenda. 

 

no malice intended     I am a member of Shutter's forum.  I always use the same na

10 hours ago, RobertMBlevins said:

One thing about Peterson that pointed me toward 'innocent' was his attitude back a few years ago, when he was still going on social media occasionally. He would joke about being a suspect in the hijacking, and make sort of light about it. Not exactly bragging, but you could tell he thought it was funny that people would actually consider him a possible DB Cooper. And when the FBI showed up at his door, he wasn't afraid. He didn't dodge their questions. He provided the DNA sample willingly. He didn't ask for a lawyer. 

But as he got older, and had to deal with people like Bruce Smith and Eric Ulis 'investigating' him, he got a little grouchy about it, especially when a certain person tried contacting his family. Someone who is actually guilty of a crime that could easily put them away for life does not enjoy the attention. Peterson, for a while, DID. 

The guy has marched in peace rallies, civil rights rallies, and jumped all over the world. Even if he had decided to pull off a hijacking for money, he certainly wouldn't have come to the party dressed in loafers and a suit. No way. One thing about Sheridan is he always showed up prepared any time he was going to jump. And he's made thousands of jumps in his lifetime, although I don't know the exact number. The idea that he would make a phony (we hope) bomb, threaten peoples' lives for money, and show up to do it without even a pair of decent shoes is definitely NOT a Peterson move. His whole life has been one of standing up against violence, injustice, and he was a teacher to boot. If you want to judge a suspect on personality alone, his chances of being Cooper are less than zero. 

Robert says:  Pics from one of the Adventure Books of Seattle Cooper campouts? Because you were talking about something else, and then I saw that bit from you sort of inserted into your comment. LATE EDIT:  The WordPress article on the recent campout is HERE.  We are totally crazy, of course.  I have deleted my access to both the DB Cooper Forum and Bruce Smith's Mountain News, so if you are one of those there making the usual nasty comments about Gayla Prociv and yours truly under phony usernames and identities...I'm not seeing them anyway. I feel pretty good about life ever since. It's been two weeks since I cut the cord, and each day gets easier all the time. I'm already planning the next campout, only this time I won't have to haul mass gear 200+ miles to do it. We're going back to the Olympics. Apps are already coming in from people who want to attend. Down with the haters, up with the positive and fun stuff. That's my angle on this whole thing. I may scrub toilets for a living, but brother...hatred is not on my agenda. 

 

me (haggarknew) when posting.   I very much enjoy camping with my family and love seeing pics of the wild country of the Pacific northwest.

9 hours ago, RobertMBlevins said:

Paratroopers would mostly jump static line I have heard. Jet pilots used ejection seats. The only thing I ever heard in the Army was a few guys saying you got out...tried to get stable...pulled the ripcord...and hoped for the best. This was done by bomber crews in WW2 sometimes when their plane was shot down. It was better to take a chance on the chute and just GET OUT before the bomber crashed. I am not a skydiver so I don't know much about it. 

Additional on Peterson as the skyjacker:  I give seven pretty good reasons in that WordPress article I linked back there on why he wasn't Da Guy. But reason Number Seven is probably the most important:

In a nutshell...not a chance in hell he was Cooper. 

Update: I have no idea how it happened, but the article on Sheridan Peterson at WordPress where I show the seven best reasons he WASN'T Cooper, went from an average of around 50 views a day at WordPress to almost a THOUSAND. Weird, but good. I have posted the link to it previously at Dropzone and it never did that. Not sure how it happened, but appreciated. And some folks say no one listens to me. 

It's hard to get past the blue eyes and baldness. That being said, I personally would like to see pics from the campout. I enjoy seeing the pics of the mountains and forests. Looks like extremely beautiful terrain. Someday I would like to see it in person.

13 minutes ago, dudeman17 said:

I'll leave it to the dedicated researchers to debate the flight path, the winds, the placard and what-not, but it is discussed how far Cooper may have drifted after exiting the airplane, and there is a factor, from a jumper's perspective, that may affect that, especially if Cooper was an experienced skydiver. And that factor is, how high did he open the parachute.

 

So, IF Cooper was a skydiver...

In those days, skydiving was still a fairly 'barnstorming' venture, and the people involved were fairly ballsy. (Add to that the ballsiness of someone willing to hijack an airliner.) It was not uncommon for people to intentionally pull extremely low. 'Ground rush is a gas, but it sure ain't practical.' There were low-pull contests in which two jumpers would face off in freefall and play blackjack with the Reaper. Some people speculate whether Cooper pulled right out the door, at altitude. I would seriously doubt that. It's been mentioned that typical pull altitude is around 2500'. The reasons for that is, one, to give time to deploy a reserve in the event of a malfunction, and two, to give room to maneuver the parachute into the ideal landing spot. Neither of these apply to Cooper because he only has one parachute, a bailout rig that IS a reserve, and it is non-steerable, i.e. non-maneuverable. One of the factors in the success of his jump is exactly where did he land - safely in an open field, or drifting into trees/rocks/a hillside where there is a higher chance of injury, hampering his ability to hike out. So Cooper's best chance at landing safely may have been to maneuver himself in freefall (yes, you can do that) over an open field, then pull so low so as not to drift out of it.

So how far did he drift? Possibly not far at all.

excellent post