stuntedflyer

This is a reply to several of the last few who posted... i.e. Tonto, Masher, Jasmin, Mikkey - and of course the originator of the thread. I just remembered there is a point in the OpRegs which states that the C.I. can allow a person to jump without an AAD at certain times, when it is otherwise mandatory for that person. I think it also states that the authorisation has to be written (maybe in the jumpers logbook). At present, can't remember where in the Regs it is, but it IS there - can anyone help?. We'd also need to look at how the specific reg is used - in this case whether or not it may help out ReLLik if he is only going to be doing a couple of weekends jumping. Failing that, if ReLLik gives me a Private Message to discuss.... I may be able to help him with a Cypres equipped rig as a loaner (saving money from a DZ Hire rig) when he gets here. Tonto, with your question (I know a few people answered it already), I met you at Kooralbyn World CRW meet in 1994 - we had a pie and a beer together. A CI in Australia would look at your licence folder and your endorsements and probably not even bother to ask any other questions... i.e. you would more than likely be treated as if you had an F licence. Blue Ones, Corey.

Mikkey, OK, fair call on the inferences (corruption) - however, that was not my point. My point was more about how the system has allowed certain regulations to contribute to a mindset that allows a certain amount of laziness with personal responsibility. As far as being defamatory... well, I think it would be a far cry to call what I wrote actionable in that context. However, to make it succinctly clear, I respect the two particular DZ owners I referred to, and value the contribution they make to skydiving at large. No, I will not name them here as (so you pointed out in a way) some people may infer different things from what I have written. It's my belief that you would be more than likely correct in assuming who those two DZ owners are. To clarify, I do not think it's particularly deliberate on the part of the two DZ owners ("inherently involved in decision making"), nor is it any kind of conspiracy. It would be nicer to see more people on different levels being involved in the decision making process. So, partially I see it as the system at fault, and partially that more people don't put their hand up to become involved in the decision making. The APF do a fantastic and sometimes thankless job (IMO) at administering the sport here in Australia, and the two DZ's I was referring to (IMO) do an amazing job at getting skydivers in the air and providing them with the resources they need/want. I CHOOSE to jump a Cypres, and would do so whether or not the regulation was in place. It's also understandable that unfortunately other factors have contributed to the implementation of the regulations in question (Insurance issues etc). I can see how it looked like I was throwing mud at those two particular people, so, many apologies for that. However, as I said before, those two people devote a lot of their energies (unpaid) to returning value to the sport. Sometimes things need to be stirred up. If, whether they agree with my sentiment or not, some people have revisited their thoughts in the context of the original debate in this thread then I am happy. Blue Skies, Corey.

Wendy, I LIVE in Australia.... and as I can't justify leaving the country every time I want to go to the DZ (ya know... we're surrounded by huge oceans), I either need to be totally subservient and accepting.... or as I live in a democratic society which largely encourages free speech... I can choose to voice an opinion, maybe with the hope that others too may join in. To link this to your query about rich DZ owners, and to the debate in question, try this one on for size... In Australia (smaller population base than the US), two of the busiest DZ's are owned by two of the richest Australian Skydiver's. To my knowledge, most of their money was made from the sport (and is still their primary source of income/wealth). These two particular DZ's (i.e. their owners) are inherently involved in the decision making at national level behind what we in Australia call our Operational Regulations (I think you guys call them BSR's). Would you not perhaps speak out if the people you paid your money to (i.e. YOU are THEIR customer) were able to heavily INFLUENCE that which you love most, in ways that you do not agree with?? Is this not the same situation as to why some countries do not allow or encourage media monopolies???? WE are the SKYDIVING POPULATION. WE need to SPEAK. WE need to be HEARD. I am not saying I totally disagree with some of the regulations over here regarding AAD's. I was looking at the over all picture whereby we are taking away the very things that make Skydiving an ADVENTURE sport. I advocate making it safer... but we have to understand that sometimes making something TOO accessible, makes it attractive and accessible for the WRONG type of people. *Corey quietly puts soapbox away for the moment* I sincerely appreciate any debate on this.

Bill, I thought about that a couple of years ago (as I am sure many other people did) but I didnt realise they had planned on incorporating it into their original cypres.... Why didn't they??? Any ideas??

WOW!!! Glad to hear passionate debate! I find it kinda funny how someone with an A-Licence can have a Cypres fire whilst in a headdown position on a Freefly dive with another Skydiver of similar experience - then when debriefed by the DZSO, Mr. 50 jump skygod says "Oh well, I guess that's what a Cypres is for then". Doesn't anyone else get the feeling that for a large proportion of newcomer/lowtimers in the sport that the ground just isnt scary enough anymore??? Does nobody see the trade-off in making a sport idiot-proof??? E.g. when you make something idiot proof you generally attract more idiots. Guess I might have to make a fortune by designing a mini flight-computer which corrects monumental canopy fuckups by taking control - maybe it can also flare for you too. Hmm, that means when I buy a DZ and become Director of the APF, maybe I can legislate for the age limits to be dropped to say - 6 years old.... I mean come on, do you need to be able to pack your own rig anymore? Do you need to pull any handles to have a canopy above your head? Do you need a brain any longer to skydive?? Fuck it, lets make this as idiot proof as possible and more DZ owners can become even more filthily rich off of poor over-technologied and stupid skydivers. I'm off to meditate.

Leroy, Check out the Australian Base Association website at www.basejump.org they have their own "tethered balloon" which they have used for a couple of BASE boogies. I can't remember whic part of the site it's in, but you'll have fun finding it anyway.

Here's my $2.00 worth... Driving :- Going through intersections, check peripheral vision and prepare for evasive action (grab rear risers and check sky on opening)

Dude, Whatever the case with the postage and handling, if you don't want to jump the canopy - send it back. For all the time, effort and hassle there IS something positive you have gained from this - a LIFE LESSON. People will FUCK you around - sometimes. Don't let that change your attitude, just be more cautious. So you don't feel alone, here's an account of what happened to me last year. I'd been out of skydiving for a couple of years and wanted to get back into it. My "friend" of about nine years or so had a Ten year old Cypres that hadnt had it's 8 year service. He offerred it to me on the basis that it wasnt worth him getting it serviced as he wouldnt be jumping much if at all any more. So, I get a cypres for a coupla years for the cost of a service. During this time, he was a bit down on his luck with work. As I was a state manager with an exhibition company, I was in a position to offer him work, so I did. A few months later I was made redundant and started my own company. He was that pissed because I didn't (couldn't) offer him a job/partnership, that he stole my climbing gear ($10,000 worth) from where it was stored at a mutual friends place. He then proceeded to ask for "his" cypres back in return for the climbing gear. Eventually (throwing my principles aside) I tried to make arrangements to do a swap. He said that it was too late - "there is no climbing gear any more" and that he still wanted "his" cypres back. Anyway, I still have no climbing gear, the police have tried to investigate - to no avail, and he has reported the cypres "missing" to the Australian Parachute Federation. Moral to the story - people will Fuck you around sometimes. Did I mention he habitually injects amphetamines into his veins?????

in reply to age question 29:19

Hey, Approx 250:0 But I just thought I would offer my two cents worth! It seems a lot of people in this thread (mainly lower jump numbers like me) want to be in the "zero silver club" as someone put it. Well, here's a couple of things that happened to me that may persuade you to NOT think twice about pulling silver. Sometime around jump 50: Jumping cheap nasty second hand well used gear (old 7 cell main, round reserve, $200 container) as I was poor. Shaked the crap out of the snivelling main from 2200 feet to about 1200 feet when it finally came good. (I was scared of the round reserve). Sometime around jump 150: Jumping borrowed gear on display jump into farm I was living on. Felt opening shock around 2000 feet, looked up and then canopy is twisting up very fast (I was staying on heading), slider down close to shoulders but in twists. I remember just holding the risers watching it, thinking "it'll come good" then I looked down and saw how quickly the front gate was coming up... "oh shit" - hand on cutaway, then twists started unwinding me "f**k, will I make it?". Came out of twists facing downwind, very low, heading toward barbed wire fence. Panicked and did 180 into a perfect swoop landing (first ever attempt). VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE About jump 190. Baggy Clothes jump... well, I hadnt ensured T-shirt was tucked away properly etc had I? reach for pilot chute and start dragging at clothing. Did I try twice???? NO, fumbled 3 - 4 times, started getting groundrush and went to grab handles when all of a sudden I feel activity on my back. I had actually pulled bridle out from the pilot chute, which in turn became a horshoe and cleared itself. Open below 1000 feet. I took a good hard look at myself. I spent many hours seeking the guidance of Instructors and other jumpers that I trusted. Then I spent many more hours visualising going for my reserve (I know they work because I can pack them), and a few jumps just practicing my reserve drills. The thing that alarms me the most is how much time is chewed up when you focus on the problem at pull time, rather than a really good solution (Reserve). I hope my ramblings here are thought about by some of those when deciding whether to "owe beer" or chew up valuable time trying to fix a problem. I am grateful for being alive - at the VERY LEAST my ratio should be approx 250:3 Blue skies Corey

1) During my later student jumps, I got incredibly drunk during the saturday night. My theory is freefall being one of the best hangover cures. Anyway, out of the plane at 10,000 (cessna ), doing my maneuvres, open at 3,000 feet BANG!!! SKY/FEET/SKY/GROUND/FEET... hard and wild opening. Before I realise, my guts fly up through my mouth, and I watch my vomit fall a few hundred feet and land smack dead centre of my instructors canopy!!! He was not pleased, but I still passed my jump. 2) I am known around some Drop Zones for my very stinky farts (especially after big Saturday nights on the DZ). One time, I let one go very silently in the plane a couple thousand feet before planned Jump Run... I was at the back of the plane and watched the looks on everyones faces as it hit them in waves, until it got to the pilot at which point he says "F...in Hell, Right that's it... Everyone OUT NOW!!!".... I paid for the load in a gesture of goodwill as everone had to get out early (lucky there were no students on board). 3) I followed a Tandem out which was a 40th birthday present from his wife and kids... he very obviously was only doing it for their benefit. Well, at about 8000 feet, I'm about 50 feet away horizontally when this thick stream trails behind them for about a thousand feet (ewwww!), in the end he was green and not conscious for landing!!!