tsisson

Many dollars and lots of emotion...sort of like dogs, some consider them like family...I think the reactions of some land owners finding their land and welfare of livestock at risk are well within the bounds of justified outrage. If I were a farmer or landowner affected negatively by jumpers landing on my property, and learned that I was being branded as irrational...I'd go fully "irrational". I'm not trying to fuel a crazy debate here...I just don't understand how we as a skydiving community can justify repeated encroachment on private property and putting livestock at risk for the sake of weekend fun and recreation. If I were a DZ owner, I'd reach out to all my neighbors and establish all non-negotiable landing areas, and do everything possible to mitigate the possibility of landing there. The last thing we need is a Hatfield vs. McCoy situation between DZ owner and neighboring farmers. "Screw with my horses and I'll screw with your dropzone business license". Stop landing on the farmer's property. If you don't think you can avoid landing there, don't jump. Find a new dropzone.

Absolutely agree with your assessment of an event in the air affecting opening alti and the "need" to land safely. Growing up in a family of farmers however...I can tell you none of them would take kindly to a recreational business operation routinely putting their livestock at risk due to repeated emergencies requiring off airport landings. When I was younger in our sport, I used to feel more of a right to land wherever I needed to...but now as I've gotten older, I've grown to appreciate and give more respect to farmers and business owners that surround our drop zones. I will land in an electrified tree in the median of a 4 lane interstate surrounded by power lines before I will land on a farmers property having livestock.

I meant "their"

If jumpers landed on my property repeatedly, spooked my horses/livestock...and let's say a cow or horse got injured...I'd go ballistic. You are screwing with someone's castle...stop landing there. There is no emergency unless you are under a reserve...only a screw up with your spotting, canopy flight pattern/canopy control, or both. My argument if I were the farmer would be...these guys are not competent enough to land in there landing area, they should not be jumping as they are harming my livestock.

World's Fastest Indian

Rook's Dad...

You are just a treat...never had a mentor in life? Learn to pay it forward skygod...

What she is saying here is BUY A RACER!

Nothing but "happy customer" here...I even have one of their stickers on my refridgerator! Right next to my dog's vet number...the two most important phone #'s we have!

Amen. As long as the customer realizes there may be future issues with riggers/container mfgs/dzo's/parts availability - servicing then I say go for it. I'm considering one for my Racer, as my Cypres I timed out 3-4 years ago and I'm more actively jumping once again. Buyer beware...

Sometimes I don't get why some treat new folks like they are the biggest idiots in the world, and not entitled to the successes and enjoyment that this great sport offers. The people I looked and continue to look up to in this sport, are those who were nothing but encouraging and positive towards me and my development. Nothing wrong with giving doses of reality, but to be arrogant about delivering the message is ridiculous. Regarding packers...I don't use them BECAUSE they pack fast. My advice to someone who wants to be a great packer...learn to pack efficiently and do it right, everytime...give the customer a consistent opening and on heading. Do it over and over and you'll be THE MAN. Most packers I've encountered can deliver the goods but when they are cranking out the volume, it's a crap shoot...and I hate getting hammered on opening and I hate off heading garbage jobs. The packer that is so arrogant as to "make the new guy's life hell" is probably the same guy that packed my last shitty opening. I'd rather find the new guy, teach him what I like...and use him on the side.

No...he's a guy with about 30 jumps who wants to figure out a way to pursue his dream and someday be as cool as you.

Sabre 230 (Student): 1995 Sabre 210 (Student): 1995 Sabre 190: 1995 - 1998 Sabre 170: 1998 - 2002 Jedei 150: 2002 - 2008 Samurai 170: 2008 +

This thread has simply become a boring, hidden agenda, pain in the ass, argumentative, hair splitting exercise.

People, people, people...we are focusing on the wrong way to solve this issue. We need to focus our time, energy, and resources into developing gun resistant force fields. If the technology advances enough, we could create them in pocket sized models that could be carried by anyone who needs protection. Or we could pass a law outlawing firearms, like we've been discussing for 75 years or so...because we all know, prohibition of anything as been so effective in history.

You kind of sound like an asshole Close...I've never been called an asshole...but I have been known to be called a Dick!

Sure have...but again, there's no reason to act like an asshole in the first place. I think assholes need to be called out for what they are. I'm sure I've come across like a jackass/jerk to some people I've encountered along the way, none of us are immune to having a bad day - but generally - I am a pretty laid back and tolerant guy...but as I've gotten older and along in life - I tend to be a bit more assertive in my communication with those who treat others poorly. A little "Hey, you know you're really being an asshole" can go a long way. Why cut someone slack for behaving poorly?

It's all about the tone in which things are said...I can tell an asshole from a good guy in about two seconds. I have no patience for assholes...

Or maybe I have! 250 lbs of natural blubber keeps me warm...

Here here...I fully agree, none of us have been cold enough on the ride to altitude to warrant shoving a friggin blanket in the door! If we're going to jump in the winter, I feel we need to be prepared to suck it up and deal with 15 mins of chilly air. Dress for the weather...

SDAZ handled it very well...and the good news, the reserve was not contaminated/damaged. Reserve Pilot chute is toast, and possibly the freebag - but all is being handled. Wasn't the end of the world - weekend wasn't totally wrecked, got to come home and watch an awesome ASU vs. Wisconsin football game! And it's still warm enough that I don't have to worry about that damned blanket in the door for at least a month and a half!

My concerns replace complacency. Try this exercise...yank the door up hard while a blanket is wedged in there...then try to remove the blanket or move the door. I jump in Arizona...and had one of those highly maintained aircraft leak Jet A all over 6 of us on the way to altitude last weekend. No aircraft are "perfectly good". Things happen as you know. Be safe...

Just an observation and something the bothers the hell out of me. As it starts to get colder, any DZ's out there have a blanket that gets shoved into the gap above the door to keep the cold wind out? Anyone ever observe jumpers shoving said blanket above the door before takeoff? Think about this...as you have essentially locked yourself and the rest of the load into a coffin should you have to exit fast during the first 2000-3000 ft of climb. I personally, don't want that freaking blanket anywhere near the door for the first 4000 feet.

Cookies!!!!

Doppleganger...