airdvr

I picked it up used so there's no real way of knowing. It's not new by any stretch of the imagination. It flares out OK but I have trouble stopping it in no wind conditions. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

A couple of weeks ago I had some time under canopy to really take a hard look at my Tri. Noticed at the trailing edge where the steering lines are attached that each attachment point is pulling down on the tail ever so slightly while I'm in full flight. Normal or am I losing efficiency? Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

clicky Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Spaghetti...it's easy and goes good with wine. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

My fav is the guy skiing off the cliff and opening a PC with the British flag on it. Does a nice unintentional back flip before he release the skis and dumps. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

I don't think he quite gets the physical conditioning involved in driving a racing vehicle...any racing vehicle. Silly NASCAR whuffo! Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

They've proabaly all got Bushes Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

My rotator cuff is dorked due to a fall of a bike years ago. I'll second that shoulder pain sucks emotion. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Lemme guess....you're a keyboard salesperson and biz is slow. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

I'll bet its' "she trusts you". You know she has to worry a bit. Sounds like a keeper tho

I just have to chime in on this one. 2 marriages later and a number of LTR's I can state without a doubt jumpers and non-jumpers don't mix well. Something has to give. My 1st wife hated it so I cutaway. 2nd wife dreaded it so I stopped for 10 years...big mistake. In the end I ended up a divorce statistic anyways. It scares the hell out of most non-jumpers and I have to believe its even harder for women jumpers because I think most guys can't handle that they're women do something that takes more balls than they have. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Its not hindering growth, its funding it. I don't think there's been any growth at the USPA to speak of in the last few years. MFT said last year it actually declined. And funding it? Last time I checked it was $169 to make a Tandem at my home DZ. Throw in a video and its maybe $250...I don't know for sure. How many tandems are there every day at your average DZ? It may be providing big $ at the bigger DZ's but I don't think that's the case at your average DZ. TMs are often so busy rushing from load to load that they don't have time to recruit potential students. Back in the day they were called First Jump Students and every single one of them was recruited in some form. I'm beginning to see from everyone's posts that it's just easier and more lucrative for the DZO to do tandems. On a per person basis anyways. But I don't think your average DZ could survive on tandem alone. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

All good points...and well taken. To clarify a little, I was thinking that slapping a harness on someone and throwing them in the plane, hoping they might like it enough to continue might be a little short sighted. My GM was totally freaked, and I'm not suggesting she would have continued but I saw the process firsthand and was left thinking it wasn't doing much to promote the sport of skydiving. The FJ experience before tandem required more commitment to the process by the student. I'm just concerned that we may be missing some people who want to learn how to skydive but get absolutley overwhelmed by the tandem experience without making an investment in training other than monetary. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Just finished reading Mike's editorial in the latest issue of Skydiving. He puts forth the idea that alot of DZO's aren't working hard enough to "grow" the base of new jumper's, preferring to cater to the tandem business instead. I tend to agree and would like to add another thought: tandem gives alot of first timer's sensory overload to the point of not wanting to try it again. I watched my GM nearly go into shock after her tandem. It was too much for her to take. I can say for sure she would never do it again. So, is it hindering the growth? How did you make your first jump? Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Let me preface this by saying I am in no way qualified to give you advice other than my own experience. OK..now that I've given the disclaimer...when I dump it has always been my habit to sit up. Just a habit designed to ensure airflow to my PC. I never get vertical before the opening forces put me in that position. My first point of reference when I am watching my canopy inflate is the slider. I figure if I can see all 4 grommets it's probably going to come down the lines and at least I'll have something inflated. As far as counting...I hear what you're saying. I'm old school and not used to the slower opening sequence of today's ZP canopies. I've ridden some snivellers alot longer than I was comfortable with. But I also know my brain makes it seem longer than it really is. If you're habit of giving it a 5 count works for you then good. But remember that 5 seconds is only 1000 feet, and if you're dumping at 3 grand you've still got time. That's why I said to look at the slider. I think its very difficult to get a canopy out of the D-bag and not have at least something wanting to inflate. And it should be pretty obvious if its going to be trash. Don't know if that helps or not. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

While we're on the subject... 4 way chunk exit from a 182. As the jumper in the crotch is getting out his container opens and his PC goes over the leading edge of the wing. In the video you see the #2 jumper trying to make him aware then he's gone in an instant, over the leading edge of the wing. This puts the plane in a nasty spin but the pilot does a good job recovering. Leaves a nice sized dent in the leading edge. Jumper is unconscious at 10,500. Chest strap is shreaded but his only injury is a severely strained neck and back. I talked to him about it later and he said he could see the PC and bag, lines unstowing...his thoughts at that point..."this is really gonna hurt". Older jumper in his 60's...had a habit of pulling his chest strap so tight his main lift webs were almost touching. 4 way dive...all zoomies (me included). I noticed when we got up to get ready Jack had the smell of liquid courage on his breath. Never saw him during freefall. When we landed we saw his canopy way high...6-7K. Never thought much of it...must have pulled high. This was the first time he had brought his wife to the DZ...I remeber her sitting in his car reading a book or something. About an hour after we landed she comes up and asks if anyone had seen him...here's what happened: Jacl opened in a track and his chest strap shreaded. He did a front flip out of his harness and was hanging by his legs upside down at 7 grand. With no way to control the canopy it put its tail into the wind and headed west. Found the biggest tree in the woods...about 70 feet up. Jack told me later he was hanging there and it was hot so he tried to get out of his jumpsuit. In the process he fell about 15 feet upside down and broke his collarbone. When we noticed he was missing the 182 was sent up to search. When the fire department got there it had been about 2 hrs. They got a rope up to him. He put it around his shoulders and then fell out of the tree. The rope slipped up around his neck. His lips were blue and he was almost unconscious when they finally got his to the ground. First dive of the day out a skyvan. No one had taped those nasty looking hooks that kept the rear door on. 4 way chunk exit. I was diving. On set I ran to the back and dove...into a sea of blue fabric and lines. The door hook got caught in a girls container and ripped it open on exit. In the vidoe you can actually see the canopy open for a split second in the plane as I dove into it. Managed to get myself free of the canopy only to look up and see the lines wrapped around this girl's neck. I watch her struggle. I'm helplees to do anythng as I'm about 15 feet below her. She finally gets the lines off and cuts away. I turned and dove to the formation . Afterwards she has a 3" ring around her neck that is raw from the line burns. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Hmmm...sounds like the original Sabre. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Either way...can you imagine the damage this will do to the fine Jackson name. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Thanks Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

I'm in the market for a used container, preferrably with a reserve included. I see a bunch of numbers and letters after the rig...like "Odyssey J1Ks" and "javelin J4". Can somebody help an old fart out? Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Yes...Mr. Beck is not afraid to insult any particular group. www.glennbeck.com Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Not this time. Can't tell me someone didn't think of this possibility first. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

I thought the exact same thing. Seems unimagineable that someone could smuggle a bomb into a secure area. I'll be interested in seeing who dropped the ball on this one. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Democratic watchdog...now that's funny! Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

So I assume he's guilty until proven innocent. Being tried by the media is much different than a court of law. And don't throw a blanket over Republicans like that. If this guys guilty he deserves what he gets. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne