PROGRESSIVE

Back in the early 80's, I had a handful of jumps from this aircraft. One word...Loud! We flew a formation load and built a 10 way. I'll have to look at my log book to see who was on it, but the formation flew surprisingly well. Which was a rare occasion back then. Pete

It sounds more like I need a "student" type canopy, rather than an accuracy type canopy. Back in the 80's we were using Mantas, from Paraflight? for students. Verfy soft landings. Now adays there are even better, more efficient student canopys. So, I would replace my Sabre 2 170, and get a seven cell, lifty canopy, with more square footage. Pete

Thanks for the advice! Yep, I have more metal in me than a damn hardware store. A lot of it in my pelvis. I am really tempted to strap on my rig and go for a jump just to see what it would be like. I did go hang gliding one time since my accident about 2 months ago. I put wheels on the base tube and basically made a trough in the landing zone with my body. I wanted to plant some vegetables in my newly made trough, but it was too late in the season. But seriously, I have never been soooo bored since my rig has been put away...Its given Lortab new meaning. Pete

Thanks for the Dana link. I've heard about this guy for sometime, but never heard his story. Wow! My legs can't perform as well has his. Reading the responses, I do think that I would have to rebuild my skydiving rig to accomodate a much larger main parachute, unfortunately. For sale, one slightly used rig. I'll have to post some pictures of my gear and place it in the classifieds here at DZ.COM Thx! Pete

I was involved in a nasty hang gliding accident last summer that left me paralyzed below my knees. When I was jumping before my accident, I was using my Javelin Odyssey with a PD 160 reserve and a Sabre 2-170. Often times my Sabre required me to run out on my landings, but with my paralysis this is no longer an option. I can walk, barely, but its more of a hobble. To help accomodate my disability, I'm thinking of getting an accuracy type canopy. Is there a canopy out there that would work with my current container? I need a canopy that doesn't require me to run out my landings. I need to have consistent standup landings with very little forward speed. I would still continue to jump my current reserve, but I would keep in mind that I would just do a PLF if I have a reserve ride. Suggestions? Thanks! Pete PS: When I was living in a nursing home for several weeks healing after my accident, I swore I'd never hang glide, or skydive again...I have since changed my mind. No one gets out of this world alive, so you might as well have fun!

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I moved here from San Diego in 1995. I enjoy it here because I love the mountains, the desert, the backpacking, skiing, hanggliding (prior to my accident), skydiving. The "Avenues" in downtown Salt Lake, Park City, Sugar House, are the happening places here. Night life is nothing like San Diego, but the outdoors here is nothing like San Diego. Liquor laws are unlike anywhere in the world. Its strange, but no big deal unless your an alcoholic. The religion here is no big deal. My neighbors have been mowing my lawn in the Summer and Fall, shoveling my driveway and handicap ramp in the Winter, and their deep in their faith that I don't share. Good people. Good Luck!

So I pounded in big time on my hangglider and I have a lot of skydiving gear that I need to sell due to my paralysis. Question: What's the best way to sell my gear on DZ.com, or in general, and ship it to someone where I don't have to worry about getting stiffed on the payment? Ship it cash on delivery via UPS? Suggestions? Thanks! Pete

That kind of qualifies you as a mile high club member...Its a stretch, but I would think it would qualify...Unless your alone.

You've got a lot on your plate. It sounds like your dealing with, although its very difficult. If I was to give advice, try not to piggyback prior problems with this latest issue. It can become too over-whelming and impossible at times to deal with the task at hand. You've made it this far. Continue to discuss with others you trust.

Its sounds like you may be very lucky in that 90% of the nerve is intact. I slammed in my hangglider and I'm currently paralyzed below my knees due to a hematoma that was formed against my spine. I'm beginning to get a little feeling in my lower legs and feet, but not much. Nerves do regenerate at a rate of 1 mm/day. Blood and nerves do not mix, i.e. bruising, which may also cause nerve damage. Exercise, and therapy that is endorsed by your doctor is the best cure. Try to "fire" off those nerves by moving the area that is affected, if your doctor agrees. Even though you may not be able to move these areas, its good to attempt this daily. After a day of walking around work with my walker, my feet are on fire at night. This tells me that my nerves are trying to activate. Painful, but a good sign. I'm personally going to look into accupuncture to help speed up the process. This may work, or I may have to live with my paralysis for the rest of my life. Bottom line, if you ask a dozen doctors what they think, you'll get a dozen different answers. No one really knows. Pete

I'd poop in my pants and start pulling handles, followed by a quick prayer. Pete

I wonder how the cat gets burbed?

Maybe she's a he? Ask her/him out on a date and find out.

Congratulations! I remember you and Tom M were doing crew for the Freedom Flyers Parachute Team, back in the early 80's. I got into crew at Staton, but would participate in it with JQ, Gary Hoffman, Quasy, etc at the Boogies. Mike, I too broke my pelvis this past summer...That hurts! I'm paralyzed below my knees, which maybe temporary all due to hanggliding. Glad your alive and jumping! Pete Anderson

Team leader? What company?

I think you had just has much fun flying this plane, if not more, than we had jumping out of it...It definitely was a blast! Pete

I saw an episode where he parachuted onto a remote snow capped mountain. He then took his suspension lines and knotted them and dragged his parachute across the snow packed mountain. The reason for this was to show that if there was a snow covered crevasse that would cave in under his weight, that the knots in the suspension lines would dig into the sides of this deep ravine and stop his fall. He demonstrated this, but there was no evidence that in-fact this method worked. It only showed him dangling into a deep ravine by the suspension lines...Yeah, right. I bet the other end of the lines were anchored down to a catering truck. I call B. S. on this show. Pete

I can't agree with you more... This plane also climbed fast for a DC3. I believe Bob had upgraded his engines.

When I was growing up, we'd jump from Mr. Coors, from Superior, Wisconsin, and Robbie's Beach from Osceola, Wis, and the beach from Baldwin, Wis, now known as Skydive Twin Cities. All my experiences with the Beach were good even though they were also known as "the flying Coffin." One time at band camp, I mean when we were flying down to Kansas, from St. Paul, Mn, to do a demo, we took a flash light and shined it out onto the wing. We were flying at night and were losing oil pressure fast. We all peered out the windows and saw a river of oil flowing over the wing. We soon landed at an airport to get more oil, and then continued on to Kansas, for our demo. Apparently, we blew a ring, cylinder, or something. Also, at Marana, AZ, during the collegiate's back in 81, we were jumping from a D18. Super clean! I really enjoyed jumping from the old D18s. Pete

It was flying for awhile at Skydive Utah! Bob had installed a huge foot rest and hand rail on the outside that allowed a lot of front and rear floaters. Even though its not as fast as Otters and Caravans, this plane is huge and comfortable when hauling a lot of skydivers. Very fun jump ship! God I miss the days when DC3s were the jump ship of choice. Just don't stand behind the props when the pilot fires up the engines. You and your new, shiny gear will be spattered with oil! Pete

Since my hanggliding accident, date night now consists of a hit of Lortab with a glass of Crown Royal, as a chaser...Oh yeah, and my wife. I love date night! Pete

Just a thought, but has anyone noticed that most of these "toys" are made in China and we're only hearing about lead based paint in children's toys? I'm willing to bet there's more lead based products out there that we're puting in our bodys that we don't know about. I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but it does makes me wonder. Pete

Hilton scored on promoting her products and movie. Letterman scored on promoting Letterman, and they're both laughing all the way to the bank! Meanwhile, we're trying to scrape up some cash to make a couple of jumps on the weekends. They were both in fine form. To be continued... Pete

I appreciate your comments. I've been skydiving since 1979, at the age of 16. Its been an awesome ride! I certainly stood out in high school. Skydiving helped me grow up and prioritize and get an education. All I wanted is to land a good job to support my habit. Now, however, my pelvis is so broken up, that there's doubt that it'll be as strong as it once was. There's a gap between the breaks that's not healing. Oh well...I'll have to learn to play golf! Blue skies! Pete PS: See my baby!