poppenhager

51 years and 6381 jumps with only a bruise here and there,Guess I got lucky.Most with rounds,Around 65 reserve rides too. Pop D47Quote

Years ago we were solo from #1 because there were no instructors,and most of us were LUCKY. POP D47

Yep,I heard the jump plane at Lake wales Today while flying by...POP D47

Most aircraft in Florida could not go north all week because of a stationary front that has stalled across north Florida the past week and is still here.Charley was first forcast to land between Tampa and the Suwannee River (my area).I planned on flying my airplane north early Friday morning but was unable to because of the weather here.I would have been screwed if Charley had maintained his original course. POP

Jon,That makes 2 of us!!! Pop

The wright engines used on DC-3's were 1820 c.I. 9cyl.single row 2 stage blower 900-1550 h.p. depending on -#. The P&W 1830 is 2 rows of 7cyl.around 1200 h.p.Much smoother but not as powerful as the Wright 14-1500 h.p. I had a Lockeed Learstar with Wright 1820-86's 1500 h.p.that would haul 29 jumpers to 13,500 and back in 15minutes.(a turbo prop can't hardly better that) POP

That's correct crzjp....POP

scott, I had to put a 10in bridal extention on so I could get the d-bag centered.The KT-7 canopy bridal is set up a little deferrent than most . POP

I flat packed a Strong KT7 and rapped the tail around the top then tightly rolled the canopy as per psycho pack (easier to get in the D-bag for the big truck and 71yr. old farts).Jumped it at terminal yesterday and had a nice on heading opening.it was a lot easier and faster to pack that way.Have previousely been using the psycho pack with good results. Has anyone else used this method on more than 1 time?? POP

Windy is right,it was Tampa Bay Skydivers and it did happen.C-182 right main gear separated when jumpers were standing on it during exit.Mac Mcgraw was the pilot. Pop D-47

As I remember Lew Sanborn shot the first real skydiving free fall film for the movie short of "A SPORT IS BORN" in 1959 or 60.It wone the academy award for short subjects. Pop D47Quote

I think the DGA tri-gear you are referring to was the one that crashed in Pa.in 1966 and only 1 jumper servived. POP D47Quote

Rick,That was a T-28A that cut up the runway with it's prop for about 1000ft.Engine was O.K.but the prop died.Was cool to watch though....POP D47Quote

Well said......Pop D-47

Thanks,but the KT-7 Iam referring to is a 7 cell 250sf canopy.I know some were built for the Spainish army. POP

Can anyone tell me about the Strong KT-7 main canopy? Made in the mid 90's I think! POP

I think I saw the red & white Howard over in the Columbus area once.I jumped from the 650hp one during practice at the 64 nationals in Salt Lake City.It was called THE YELLOW CAB and belonged to a guy from Denver.It was a real (ROCKET).I don't know if West bought it from him or someone else but it was the same one that went on it's back at Xenia.I think it ran out of fuel and landed in a corn field.POP

Hey,The Howard DGA looks familiar,what was the DZ? D47Quote

Bill,I must make a correction.I looked up "LOOP THE COMMANDER"in some of my old mags and found the artical in SKYDIVER MAGAZINE 11/65 issue and written by L.D.VINCI a fictitious author.The authors note: I'd like to dedicate this article to Bob Hill and Tim Saltonstall,who inspired it;to Daryl Henry and Dave Becker,who made it neccessary;To J.D.Salinger,who might then forgive me...and finally to all those kind people whose colorful accidents made it possible... Daryl Henry wrote "COMMAND THE COMMANDER" Skydiver magazine 4/65 issue.POP D47

Hi Bill, What do you think about flairing the PC? There was an article once in the Parachutist titled "LOOPING THE PARACOMMANDER",I could never seem to master that one!! POP

Bill, You are right on when you said the PC was the best parachute ever made!! But it was a "PARACHUTE",ramairs are WINGS!!! I think I made the first live jump on the ram air at Clewiston,Fl.in 1963 using a paper shopping bag as a deployment media (OOOUUCH) and i did'nt stand up either,was still seeing stars when I hit the ground.Have'nt been together since!!!!!! POP D-47

I think TOAD SUCKERS originated at South florida Parachute,Indiantown,Fl.late 70's. Jim Lacy was #1 some of the others I remember were Gino & John Condon,Wayne Martin, Cary Troxel. POP D47

Hey Rick,So will a round (if you know how to use it)!! Pop D-47Quote

RIGHT ON!! I have used all the systems and still prefer the RIPCORD,that can be pulled with either hand! D-47Quote

Pig riggs were originally designed with the reserve on top because #1 the reserve risers were under the main risers so the main deployment would not interfear with reserve risers,#2 in case of stuck container flaps on the reseve (which did happen occationally) the jumper could elbow the container open.D-47Quote