indigoSkye

Smitty was living and well at Oshkosh, 1986. Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

...opening low with a PC and landing in the peas while the rest had a long walk in the swamp. Oh that is soooo old. Of course... there is one of us accuracy bugz at every DZ! It gets you out of trouble for opening low. Really... try it sometime. '-D When in doubt, whip it out. If that doesn't work, then as we always said, Track for the Peas. ;) Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

I have no clue now. But the front mount reserve was a flat thing about the size that my computer processor is now. It was supposed to make you fall slower (than an old wart like you had). It had a strange setup for opening. a soft webbing handle at center top had a cable with 2 pins, holding 2 nylon loops which threaded through the container from back to front. the other end of each of these loops was attached to a spring which was supposed to pull the loops out quickly. That worked well as long as the knots in the loops were on the spring side, and NOT on the pin side. That resulted in a lock that was not possible to open as the grommets through which these loops were fairly small. One time I had a 5 foot tall former DI who was a master rigger, repack it. I asked him if he wanted the instruction booklet and he said "Nah, it's just like any other reserve only flatter." So I jumped it for about 6 months til my guilty conscience caught up with me & I returned it to the same rigger for another repack. We had this thing... dump your own reserve before your repack, watch the pilot chute jump out, feel the way it pulls. So like a good little skydiver I did; it felt a little tight... guess what? NO OPENsies! The knots were on the pin side. The ex-DI blushed up to his flattop crewcut and said "uh, uh, uh" about a dozen times & was still standing there as I picked the thing up & headed to the car to drive it to another rigger... any other rigger. Handsome Dave ended up with it, maybe it will end up in some museum someplace. So later, even though my repack pricing policy was always $20/ I pack, $30/you watch, $50 you help, I remembered... & always accepted anyone's instruction booklet even if it was a rig I knew well or had the notes for. It was royal Blue, Twardo. It was better than a belly wart which looks small on you but Not me. Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

Geez Twardo, it is a miracle that you lived long enough to produce offspring! Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

It is the world's worst Dutch, Twardo. good thing I speak english, Huh??

Hi Twardo, & hello to all concerned with this issue of liability insurance for demos. Please read my letter below & consider sending one also to Ms Murdoch by e mail; see AirTwardo's first post on this!!! Here is what I sent to Ms Murdoch, in the comittee reviewing this issue. Best wishes and good luck, please let me know how this goes, and if you need something else. I am keeping my fingers crossed, so GO for it!!! Always hit that 50 yard line in the middle, man!! Best to the best, big guy!! .......................................................... Dear Ms Murdock, As a retired skydiver, a former member of the USPA, a senior parachute rigger, competitor, and as an eternal lover and promoter of the sport to others, I urge you to work HARD on Friday with your committee to maintain the BEST level of insurance possible for ALL skydivers, and especially including properly qualified Demo Jumpers. The key is not to cut out insurance for Demos, but to make sure that demo divers ARE qualified for this work. Those criteria can be dealt with a bit later, but for now, the time is for action FOR the maintenance of insurance for demos as well as for the average jumper, and for the new or inept student. Demo jumpers Give better than they ever Get and are CHEAPER than buying advertisements in newpapers, magazines, or any other media!!! I know what great good these Demo jumpers do for our sport! I too, did my share of demos. Some were small, just a High School stadium or a small charitable fundraiser; some were larger, and one was into the EAA Oshkosh Airshow (1986), which is about the biggest airshow in the world. That crowd loved it when I took off my helmet and out fell a waist-length braid of bright red hair. Girls especially appreciated it... and as a woman yourself, Ms. Murdock, I am sure you know how important it is to keep young women inspired and encouraged. I remember every demo I ever made. All kinds of people came to me in wonder, asked for autographs, asked millions of questions, tried to carry my gear for me, fed me... and some of these soon became participants in our sport and members of your organization, supporting it in later years. Demo divers help our sport to grow, as well as bringing more people, and more MONEY, into the organization. Not only jumping-in, demo divers often spend much of their own cash in pitching in to make every demo a complete success. These people also talk a lot more to the public, thereby inspiring larger numbers of new people to "dive in" to a new and exciting recreational and competitive sport, as well as becoming a part of a sister/brotherhood that is unmatched in any other type of clean and recreational activity. Demo divers ARE good business. They make people interested in doing it themselves! That makes money for the USPA!!! PLEASE keep up somehow, with the insurance for ALL skydivers! Demo jumpers are the best in public relations that the USPA has! The most visible, the best in terms of ability, the most willing to shake a hand or write a little autograph for a child (or an adult, LOL), some of whom then overcome their fears and go out and TRY skydiving. They bring people into the sport and into the USPA! So please put your efforts into finding new and better ways to MAINTAIN COVERAGE for these special ones, our brave demo jumpers: the best of our best!!! Please work to KEEP insurance for ALL types of skydivers!!! Thank you very much for your time and energy. I wish you the best of luck in your continuing efforts toward our common goal. Sincerely Liz Johnson originally of Tahlaquah, OK

This insurance issue has me bugged! You do know how to get a lady stirred up, Jim, LOL with a grim grin. You got the Johnson blood cooking now, all right. I am little, but a ferocious one if I get going. The Needles article you sent me from Parachutist stated that demo jumpers who screw up cost the USPA big bucks. That means something different to me than it reads in there. That was from Parachutist magazine, April 2002, vol. 43, no. 4, in the "Capital Commentary" column . What that really means that the almighty USPA is not regulating demo jumpers well enough. If they have a problem forking out bucks for claims, then they are giving demo insurance to the wrong people!!! Maybe the USPA needs to take a look at that instead of cutting off its nose to spite its face. Instead of cutting demo liability, maybe the USPA needs to set some stronger criteria about who is eligible for the demo insurance. It is doubly sad, because the demo jumpers pay extra for this DISservice!! Maybe the USPA needs to develop a better Pro certification program to ensure that a diver who applies for demo insurance is qualified to do that type of demo. For example, jumping into staduims is tricky, because of a wind shear sometimes at the top, then an abrupt drop-off of winds, and/or a swirling effect that can demolish all but the most on-top of canopy experts. Demos in terrain that is unfamiliar may produce similarly unexpected changes in wind speed and/or direction also. If this happens close to the ground... you know. That is a poor reflection on the sport anyway. Sounds like the USPA is dropping the ball, and really letting the demo jumpers down. These people are the best (we expect) members of the entire "team." 9/11 had no business in that article. It has less than nothing to do with the sport. Too bad the insurance companies are using that as an excuse for ripping people off for insurance, even more than before!!! Demo jumpers need to be able to think clearly in a rapid and logical sequence as needed to adjust to a sudden change or anything unexpected or unusual. They need to have a thorough knowledge of the place in which the demo is to go, and to know, like any other diver, at least one very good "out." They need to be very good at accuracy landings in all contitions too. They also need to have a better-than-average understanding of many kinds of meteorological phenomena, and they need to know how to find and use that information in a last-minute adjustment or decision if needed. They also need to know how to pack a parachute for the proper opening needed for any specific dive. There are many other considerations not listed here that can be entered into the "equation" of Demo Dive. Demo jumpers need to be current in jumps, in practice, and in reasonably good shape. Perhaps submitting a specific and detailed plan for each demo, covering certain issues such as these needs to be submitted, reviewed and apporoved, before any demo insurance is allowd to be taken out. I know this would make a bunch of trouble. Paperwork is not the skydiver's middle name, LOL. However, it would help ensure that the right person is doing the right job. 200-jump wonders will have to take a back-row seat, and practice up. Drinkers or dopers will need to think about the choices that they make. I am no perfect one either, but these I think are central to the core of this. How do I know this? One time, I was asked by my club, to organize a little, informal demo into a local fundraising picnic for the Jimmy Fund. I selected my team, not by whom I liked especially, but by their attributes as skydivers. All four of my selections were people with these qualities: D license and over 500 jumps. Able to land within a standard pea gravel pit consistently without being wild in getting there. Sober the standard Airman's 8+ hours before, and completely clean on the day of the dive. In-shape physically and in-practice in terms of recent and succcessful landings after every dive. All able to spot; all sensible enough to know if they were too long or short, and not attached to the idea of landing out as opposed to doing something stupid. One person asked earnestly, more than once, to be on that team. It was hard to turn him down; he was a club member, much senior to me. But he was not current, and made maybe 10 jumps per year. He was known to be drinking beer during jump ops. He had an unreliably opening canopy and a history of weird malfunctions. He was a rigger who did not pack his own rig; I did his. And so with regret and embarrassment, I turned him down. Two weeks later, he went to Puerto Rico on a visit, and like any good skydiver, he took along his rig. Along came a chance for glory and strokes: a demo down in good old PR. So he did this, and not well. There was a problem with winds; he suffered a major canopy collapse, and fell hard, fracturing a femur and his pelvis. Not great, right? It gets worse. In large bones, such as the big thighbone (femur) and in the pelvis, there is an increased chance of throwing a blood clot that can then go to the heart and lungs. This is because they are large and have a lot of marrow. Also, a sharp break can rip a little bit of a vein or artery, resulting in coagulation in a very disadvantageous place. This kind and gentle man left the hospital, not very recovered, but bored and ready to go home. Hobbling around on crutches, a clot did cut loose, killing him as surely as if he had put a gun to his own head. Maybe the USPA can be at least as careful as I was, about who they allow to do which demos, or at least be careful about who they allow the extra insurance to go to. By looking at the diver instead of grabbing for that extra dough, maybe things like big bucks insurance payouts will become a thing of the past. Let's hope so, Twardo. Quote me, this is all true... I just cannot remember the name, but I think I know who does. But the name shouldn't enter in anyway. It was a while ago; he left a family behind as he died way too young. By being horny for glory instead of careful about what he did. Let me know if there's something else I can do. best to you always, Liz

Your shorts ARE marvelous, dear. We just like to talk about Equipment, every once in a while... kind-of like a review, get it? And yes, the filler is fine too. Thank you for the FLASHback, T. HugZ Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

I think he has R2s or something. I don't remember 3 ring releases on any front & back rig... I thought the first 3 ring was on dual backpack... where is Bill, he would know. But Twardo's got something, all right. Cute uh, shorts, T. Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

Oooohhh, LodeStalls, hacky's & Cardinal Puff, all in the same place. Yes, give us the article... a lovely nostalgic flash, thanx. Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

Okay, Okay, here's the last one for tonight; I have a hot date: Pete M. of Tahlequah, Oklahoma: "Help me, Help me, there's a bug in my ear!" Another no-jump windy day. We were all sitting around the packing table when Pete suddenly jumped up and started totally losing it! He was foaming at the mouth, raving and jumping all over, running in circles and screaming, "Help me, help me, there's a bug in my ear!!!," and he was really wild. So I tackled him and sat on top, and got two guys to sit on his legs and hold him down, and another guy to go and fetch some water in a cup. We got him with his head sideways and I poured a little water in his ear... and the thing flew out in such a hurry, we all jumped back. Ya, it was a bug, all right. About 2 centimeters, with long, hard wings that buzz. AN EARWIG!!! Pete's story continued. I moved to another state, joined a jump club there, and became a parachute rigger. Every September, the club hosted the Labor Day Boogie. As a club member I was expected to perform some work for this meet, so I volunteered for the Rigger's Check-In. Before anyone can buy registration tickets to jump there, they must have their gear checked by a rigger. We make sure that it is safe, and to see that the reserve parachute is sealed, and has the proper packing dates on it. I saw Pete, waiting in my line. This was about 20 years ago, hard to believe it's been that long, but I am still laughing about it, every time I think of it. When he came up front, I said to him, very quietly, "Pete M___ of Oklahoma?" He agreed, and I said, "I'm Lizard, your ex-jump-student... from Tahlequah. He said, "You're a R-rrrigger now???" and I said "Pete, twenty dollars, right here, right now, or I will jump up on this table and take this microphone, and tell every person in five miles about that Giant Cock-A-Roach you had in your ear a few years back, and how we had to hold you down to get it out." Pete whispered to me that it wasn't a cockroach, it was an earwig. (true). I just said, "It's a cockroach NOW, and it's fifty dollars now, too." That money would almost pay for 4 jumps from one of the larger planes, or for one from the helicopter. Pete tore his pocket half off, getting his wallet out, believing that he really did have to pay me for not telling. It turned out that he had a guilty conscience anyway, because his reserve was out-of-date. Guess who got paid to re-pack it? Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

Oh, I blush, Twardo... What would you like to hear about? How about Plugging-In?? Does anybody remember that??? AKA "Indoor Reverse-SpeedStar Boogie" It is a stormy day at the DZ... the plane is all tied down and the manifest window is very desolate... the pilot has gone home to his wife & kidz. There is NO hope of jumping any more... and nobody will volunteer for the next beer run. Yet. Let's Plug IN! First, you take an extension cord, and cut off the female (sorrry Ladies, I am one also) end, separate and then strip the two wires, leaving 2 bare ends. Then, get everybody into a circle, holding hands. The person next to each of the bare ends of this wire is the conductor. One will plug in the cord now. The circle of people complete the circuit... and volia, you are all Plugged-In! This exercise has been known to strengthen many different muscle groups, while also being entertaining. And, like many exercise programs, the dropout rate is high. But this one still feels pretty good, until the next-to-last person hands the other bare wire end to the only one left in the line... Yeee-Haaawwww! Someone please please pull the plug, all this juice has just made me... ... OOh ooh oops, gotta go cant wait seeya Ah, DISCLAIMER: Don't try this at home, folks... it requires an ex-Strato-Star jumper to survive that last big Zap. Or were you hinting about the story of Chuck Yeager in his sweaty jogging attire?? Some SHORTS, all right!!! ...next time. Maybe. Bribe me. Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

Me too, Twardo, Shorts & all, Huh. Yeah, I remember some of those goofy boyz. One of them inhaled an oyster right off of a cracker, down in Z-hills (yes, I mean with his nose... and with horseradish on it too). If you ever went to 240, I would like to know where the extra 40 pounds is... cause I don't see it in your profile... you must have it tucked safely away near the leg straps?? I love the old outlaw DZs. Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

Ach, wanneer je in Nederlandse spreekt... verzwak ik. Helaas, ben ik te oud voor je. Mijn andere held is Arie Luyendyk; alstublieft, te geven hem één kus, voor me. --Dag, vriendje... kusJe van die oud Hemel-Hagedis (SkyLizard) Vijftigste verjaardag, volgende week... en gepensioneerd maar niet dood. "Ah but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now." --Bob Dylan Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.

Hi Handsome Dave You & Joe are still my #1 heroes. I miss you both. I'm the one who stole your clothes after jump 5,000... and the one who was in charge of the mission to the farmer's market to buy 23 assorted custard pies that sent you to the showers in the first place. The one who threw the bat out of the window that was flying around in your house... And I can tell you why your horn was beeping for several months whenever you drove it on that DZ. It was a mercury switch, and I didn't do that one. I avoid cars. from Sky Lizard. My other broom is a 27 speed racing bike. Perfect speed is being there at the goat roast.