chuteless

Pulled at 500 feet open at 200 feet...several times, after being dumped from a biplane at airshows. by the time I wiggled and waggled my arms and legs to makee the crowd think the pilot had fallen out as the announcer said, it was get it out quick time. Always used a Paracommnder and a few tricks to make sure it would open.. I assure you, its a thrill to make you smile all week long. I loved doing it.BILL COLE D-41 Canada Lowest on a rserve was pull at 300ft because I didnt have enough height for my main.

I dont care what you want to call it....I think it was a great stunt. He jumped from an aircraft and landed with a parachute. What he did between those to things is immaterial. I wish I had thought of it 20 years ago....but I congratulate you Felix....GREAT Jump....well done. BILL COLE D-41 Canada

I have 1000+ hours of flying hot air balloons, but have only dropped 1 jumper. The balloon should be in a descent when the jumpers leave, otherwise the loss of the weight of the jumpers and their gear would increase a balloon ascent and push the top of the balloon down into the envelope, and the balloon would rocket to the ground, killing the pilot. This happened about 15 yrs ago ( I think in Florida). I once used the balloon as a staionary platform which had a couple dozen instruments hanging around and below the basket, while De Havilland Aircraft Co flew a DASH 8 airplane directly at the balloon, starting their flight ten miles away. The aircraft, and a technician in my basket were taking readings as to the performance of the plane, and the wing lights kept getting bigger and bigger as it approached. Soon the Dash 8 swept past the balloon, and I could have spit on its wing as it went by. The aircraft slipstream then bounced us around pretty good..This was followed by a woosh of air as a large cylinder drone being towed by the plane passed like a bullet on a cable. It is a good staionary platform for jumping, and the guy I dropped was smiling for a week. I have jumped from Helicopters for TV commercials, and it was okay, but I was more interested in the job than the heli exit thrill. Bill Cole D-41

hello Don. I too began in 1962, and still have capewells on my main. My reserve was once twill, but its now a 23 ft round, belly wart. I have used twill, and ripstops rserves ( 9 times in all) and remember your name from the good old days. my best regards, Bill Cole D-41

I doubted trhat he would make it. I am very impressed with everything he did. He really deserves a lot of credit, and is to be congratulated. I have watched the news clips, and only wish I could have been there....a greatr jump....a great jumper. if anyone from his home DZ reads this, pass on my heartfelt congratulations to him. BILL COLE D-41 Canada

After posting the earlier reply, I have given this proposed jump some serious thought. If you figure ( rounding off the numbers) he is going to jump from 6 miles high over England, and he has 21 miles to go, that means he has to go more than 3 miles across for every mile he drops. Depending on the size and weight of the "small" wing attached to his back, I dont think he can make that kind of horizontal flight ( unless it turns out to be a hang glider). At 37K, I had a 117 MPH wind, which blew me four miles east and 2 miles south of exit point. Even wind similar winds, Baumgartner would have a hard time covering three across for 1 down. With this wing, could he possibly attain a track position, or would the wing prevent it? I hope you will keep us informed about this Quade, I for one would appreciate it very much.

Through years of HALO research and jumping, I believe that over 40,000 ft ASL, one should have at least a partial pressure suit, and over 50,000 ft, a full pressure suit. Ive done at least 4 jumps ocver 30K, the highest just short of 37000 ft, and using oxygen ao them all.For the highest, I was prebreathing for 1/2 hour before takeoff. If I ever would have gone higher than 37000, I would have used a partial pressure suit, mainly on the legs, and torso. I'll bet Baumgartner doesnt make it all the way to France. Its a very interesting idea, but I think he would have to be a lot higher than 30K to start the flight .

Thats a very interesting article Quade, but can you imagine a jumper trying to function with eyes that seem like they dont belong to his head, gasping for air. I trained the Special Forces in Ecuador in the capital city of Quito, 9500 ft ASL, and when I put my gear on, I was so exhausted I couldnt do the snaps up without a long pause to get my breath. The soldiers who lived in that environment were used to it, and seemed to have no problems breathing. The second time I was there, we jumped at Salinas, on the Pacific coast...no breathing problems there. I still believe that far too many jumpers think they are invincible and are prepared to do stupid things that may cost them their lives. Its like some people dont believe in safety. Bill Cole

Started at 29 yrs, now 71 yrs Its been a great ride, I assure you.

I trained the Special Forces in Ecuador, great guys all, great country as long as you are jumping near the coast, and under no circumstances, drink the water. The Capital city "Quito" is 9500 feet above sea level...takes some getting used to if you are planning on staying awhile. a 30 second freefall will take you to 17000 feet ASL and it will exhaust you completely.

I'm amazed that so many jumpers think they can go as high as they want without consequences. One guy wrote to the Canadian Military, and said " I scrounged some equipment" didnt even elaborate on where from, and he expected the military to guide him with something he likely found in the scrapyard. Jumpers should take an HAI course ( high altitude Indoctrination ) and find out the problems that exist in going high without the proper equipment. I doubt that anyone has ever climbed Everest without some supllemental oxygen. Its far too strenuous to climb into air that thin over the prolonged period of time it would take. Wake up people....or you'll die for your unpreparedness.

thanks Sangiro. I just tried it on several other websites, no problem...As soon as DZ.com, the small wheel in the mouse doesnt cause it to scroll at all, like its slipping, yet not on another site ?????cant figure it out.

I have been having mouse scrolling problems the last three days, but ONLY with DZ.conm Forums. I can scroll perfectly on any other site that requires it, but as soon as I go back to DZ.Com Forums, the problem is there. I bought a new mouse this morning, and its no better than the other I had. I have tried a dozen websites, but this seems to be ONLY with your site. Any answers? It sometimes will scroll, but extremely slow, not at all, or in short swift jumps. Please advise me if its something with your site that can be adjusted or what. THANKS CHUTELESS

Thank you very much, LADYSKYDIVER. I very much appreciate your help there.

I am having trouble scrolling with the mouse on all forums. I just bought a new mouse...still the same. No problems on other sites. Is anyone else having this problem...is it site related?

Living in Canada, I doubt trhere is anyone who hasnt seen it. At times, so bright and from one horizon to the other. It is the most spectacular show in the world...and its free. If you ever get to Canada, especially on a bitter cold winter night, watch for it.

the only chuteless jumps on "Thats Incredible" that I have ever heard about was done by James Tyler(or Taylor) and he was the 2nd guy who did two of them. I talked to Dar Robinson and he never mentioned anything about doing or helping to do a chuteless jump. I would like to know more about this IF its true.

sounds like a plan....or get him before takeoff and enjoy your flight.

why dont you take a gun and shoot Wally...then if YOU open the door, at least u can have your rig on, and hope you make it. Good luck. Bill Cole D-41

Oosay and Uday just got their payday. Good for the USA

One of my parachute team sponsors was TOYOTA. I talked them into buying my three rounds, three squares, and a hot air balloon. ASfter 1and1 /2 years they were going to put the balloon in storage, I talked them into selling it to me. It cost them15K at the time, I got everything for $6000. I didnt have $6K at the time, so I sold the rights to another company to have their name put on the envelope, for $6000. and then went and bought it from Toyota. I think they call that hutspa. They still continued to sponsor my jumping, and even gave me an office at their headquarters. Later I got rid of that balloonand leased one to Yellow Pages for 5 1/2 years. I also flew for Labbatt Breweries ( even though I never drank beer in my life) LOL.I have also built 4 full sized airplanes, and have fixed wing a balloon lic. Lots of fun EH?

I have been receiving the last postings each morning. and I would like to unsubscribe to that service. I click onedit profile, and dont see where to go from there. Can you unsubscribe me please. thank you.

Depending on how many are jumping...if its 3 or 4, make sure the guy has his balloon descending when you leave. If he is still going UP, once he loses your weight as ballast, his balloon will rocket upwards, pushing the top down into the balloon. He will lose his heat and envelope pressure, and then rocket to earth non-stop. A few years ago, this happened ( I believe in Florida) and the 3 jumpers all landed safely, the pilot was killed.

I have 1000+ hours flying balloons, and have only dropped 1 jumper. I dont know where you are located, but air regulations apply. However, I just took the guy up and over the side he went, no papers, no permission, nothing. I made sure he was able to land near a road and a car was waiting for him. Normally you treat it like you were doing a demo as for paper work, but for 1 quickie, you can get away with it like some of the base jumps...no permission. If the pilot lands on the farm below him, he should seek the farmer's permission to deflate his balloon before doing so. Most by far, will grant permission as long as you dont ruin any crops.