SkydiveJack

I never felt ya with your top down. Or with my top up either, and that's a good thing!

Well actually it was the cars top, not mine. But thanks for fantasizing about me!

I drove around all day with the top down. What a beautiful day!!

You are correct. It is NOT the DZ that was sold.

This may or may not be of interest to you folks out west. Jack Ballistic Recovery Systems Signs Letter of Intent to Purchase Free Flight Enterprises - Purchase of Aviation Safety Company Will Expand Emergency Parachute Systems Product Line SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn., April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BRSI - News; http://www.BRSparachutes.com ), a whole-airplane parachute company, today announced that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire Free Flight Enterprises, an Aviation Safety systems company based in Lake Elsinore, California. The transaction remains subject to completion of diligence by BRS and the negotiation and execution of a definite agreement and related documents, as well as the satisfaction of any conditions to closing. The acquisition is anticipated to close in early summer. "This acquisition of Free Flight Enterprises is a part of our strategy to expand our focus and provide products to a much wider market than we have addressed previously," said Larry E. Williams, president and COO of BRS, Inc. "This is the next stage in our growth and a major milestone for the aviation safety industry. We plan to offer the same suite of products and flexibility that Free Flight is known for by all its customers." Free Flight Enterprises Inc, founded in 1976, is an aviation safety systems company that manufactures custom parachutes for commercial and recreational aircraft including ultra lights, hang gliders, & parafoils. Free Flight President Gary Douris, who will continue to manage the company's California base of daily operations, said this sale presents an exciting opportunity. "This acquisition allows Free Flight to grow with its expanding customer base and partner with a technology leader in the aviation industry." In Ballistic Recovery Systems' 25 year history, BRS has sold nearly 20,000 of its whole-plane parachute systems; BRS units have been documented to have saved over 177 lives. The forward looking matters discussed here should be considered subject to risks and uncertainties, including market fluctuations, pricing, procurement, manufacturing efficiencies, and other risks that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected. For more information, review the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB. For more information on BRS contact: Larry E. Williams; BRS, Inc: Fleming Field, 300 Airport Road; South St. Paul, MN 55075; USA ([email protected]) TEL 651.457.7491; FAX 651.457.8651 or Robb Leer media liaison at 953-842-8133 ([email protected] ) Source: Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc.

A few years ago I got BLUESKY in Michigan. Then a month later I got a letter from the DMV saying that they screwed up and someone else got it a month before me. Pissed me off!!! Does anyone know who has BLUESKY in Michigan? Jack

That's Val Thal. She flew me many times in the C-195 and the DC-3. Jack

Has anyone noticed that every year around this time there seem to be some sort of accident at a refinery? Seriously, I have been seeing this happen for the last many years. It is always used as an excuse for the rise in gas prices just before the summer. Last week I told my wife that we were due for some kind of accident and then this week it happened. In the past I don't recall any fatalities associated with the events and this seemed to keep it off the front page. My condolences to the families who lost loved ones. Jack

QuoteIts an early start to the weekend, so what is the BEER of choice out there???? QuoteI vote for Bells Two Hearted Ale. Made here in Michigan, it is an insanely hopped pale ale. I'm having one now. Life is good!!! Jack

If you look at the front of the aircraft it appears to be a bubble nose. This means it was an AT-11, a military version of the Beech 18, used to train navigators and bombardiers. It is probably the same aircraft (just a guess on my part) in the photo in the thread "First All Collegiant - 8-way" since both threads are about the Northwest and look to be the same era. Jack

our darling (4 year old) cocker spaniel may not make it through the week. _________________________________________________ I have two dogs. Losing one of them would tear me up. I'm really sorry to hear this Jim. Vibes!!

QuoteIt's -1 degrees fahrenheit with 8 inches of snow in my yard here in Michigan. You can have it all!!!! Jack

I heard they're going to ALL the French boogies though... yeah, they organise big boogies with their planes and vehicles... And the greatest they organised was in june 44 when they invited these famous US and UK load organisers... QuoteThat has to be one of the most insightful, yet funny observations I have read here in a long time! Nice one. Jack

Thanks for the input everybody. I got a private e-mail from someone who told me Frenchy was still kicking around. I believe he is expected at Lake Wales again. I have lots of good memories around those bonfires he builds! Jack

The Frenchy I am thinking of was not Roc Charmet. This is the Frenchy of Z-hills. He was tight with the Kabellers and probably went to Lake Wales when they did. He was from Canada and came down to Florida every winter. He would make maybe one solo jump a day and then make the bonfires every night that were such a great part of the spirit of Z-hills. His real name is Robert Rouveau. I think I got the spelling at least close! Anyway, I was thinking about him the other day and was curious if anyone had any news about him. Thanks for the input.

Just curious. I used to jump down in Z-hills a while back. Does anybody know if Frenchy is still around? He used to come down from Canada every winter and just make solo jumps. He was also in charge of the fire every night. Jack

I used to have a Telex ANR and it was always such a pain in the ass. Buying batteries got expensive(I fly a bunch of different airplanes at work so no, I couldn't just get an adapter to plug into a power source). I ended getting a good Dave Clark head set. I also got a small Telex with a boom mike and an ear plug that I clip on my glasses. I use it when flying passengers. They work for me but you really just need to find what works best for you. Safe Flying!! Jack Gregory

"...ALL AIRCRAFT AND PARACHUTE OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED AT AND BELOW 3,000 FEET AGL WITHIN A THREE NAUTICAL MILE RADIUS ..." This restriction includes the entry of parachutes into this restricted area, not just the flight of an aircraft. __________________________________________________ This wording might have something to do with Lew Sandborn. Years ago when he lived in Florida he was working construction at the then new EPCOT Center, next to Disney World. He tried to set up a jump into there for opening day and was refused by Disney management. If I remember it all correctly, he got his own waver and filed a NOTAM. He then jumped well off from the property and opened high over an unpopulated area. He flew his parachute over to Epcot and landed there. When security got to him they said they would have him arrested for making an illegal jump. He pulled out the FAA paperwork and showed them that it was legal. This kind of torqued them off but then they said they were going to have him arrested for trespassing. Lew then pulled out a valid ticket for opening day! All they could do was escort him off the property. I think I got the basics right, you can ask Lew for the details. Jack Gregory

I was in it but not "The Organizer". The three of us discussed it and planned it together. It was done at the old SOD Farm near Tampa. I believe Mike Lewis was in it and I can't remember if the other person was Frank Cater or Ferd. We all had been doing some two ways and just had to try to take it to the next level. It was actually a tri-plane, we climbed down the lines and let me tell you it was a long way down those cheapos! As far as just crashing them together and sorting it out, nothing could be farther from the truth. We were crazy back in those days but not stupid. We learned how to fly them and dock them. I only recall one entanglement, when I turned too fast on Mike Lewis and went through his lines. The cheapos stayed open and we discussed the situation. I was able to climb back through his lines and go out the way I had come in. I have some pictures somewhere of the tri-plane (it made the front page of Skydiving) and a 4 stack with two cheapos on top and two squares on the bottom. Ah, the good old days. How did I live this long? Jack Gregory

Anyways who else out there has crossed over? Skydiving to flying or flying to skydiving? I started skydiving in 1974 and it was my job for about 17 years. Then I started flying in 1995 and now thats my job. I think I have the best from both worlds! I love each of them. Of course, most pilots that know me think I'm crazy for jumping.... Now that I think of it, most everyone that knows me thinks I'm crazy period! Oh well, at least I'm happy!!! Jack Gregory

I used to Skydive for a living. Now I fly Lear Jets. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Jack

Anyone have any single friends named Jack? My newest mission is to date a guy named Jack. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Sorry, I'm married. Jack Gregory

Have you heard about tidal waves?

1. Jumping the B-17. Nuf said. 2. Seeing lots of friends I haven't seen in a long time. 2. Watching Johnny Gates loose it and cuss out Airspeed for setting up in his Muff Brothers organizing tent, then realizing that he was lost and was actually at the Airspeed tent. It was classic!!! Jack Gregory

When I got my Golden Retriever from the pound, he was so scared that he wouldn't walk with me out of the cage area. I had to slide him down the floor all the way to the exit. So I named him "Slider". Jack