MrHixxx

I noticed the new Firefly Website is up now. Very nice jumpsuits, very nice people. Have a looky see. I've seen Sheri do some really nice custom work on stars a stripes free fly pants and swoop pants.

Sheri built me a nice TB with a tye dye stripe last year that looks great, is nice and light for summer heat, and has held up well. Can't wait to see my matching swoop pants that I am taking delivery on soon.


peace, Hixxx

Penguins, Penguins, Penguins...

Yeah, it could happen. Their on a surge with a new skipper (checks behind himself t make sure monkeys are not flying out of the butt).

Penguins, Penguins, Penguins...

Hixxx

I don't see how I could possibly pack him in my rig with my optimum 126. How exactly are supposed to install him? I don't even want to know how to turn him on before the first jump of the day.

-Hixxx

It you have the correct sitfly position with your chin tucked in, back arched, and legs at right angles, your rig will fit fine. Go sitfly in the tunnel and comeback after and your rig will fit fine.

-Jon

I charge 100.00. With the assembly, I Scotchguard the rig, assemble both canopies and pack, include a bridle extension if needed, slider stops on the risers.

-Jon

Just curious why you would say this is inaccurate. I understand this from talking with factory reps and my own experience jumping 27 cell Xaoses and owning and 21 cell Xaos and a Velo. Further, I remember Chuck Blue laying a vx 92 over a velo 96 and the two canopies having very similar dimensions.

So, just curious what your opinion is based on. But understand, I've jumped and enjoyed both velos and xaoses and like them for what they do and I am not prepared to hit someone with my dick, like some of the responses in this forum, when someone disagrees.

thanks, Jon

It is also worth noting that the velocity is a 7 cell with with aspect ratio of a 9 cell. So, you get the same performing wing with less line drag.

I have a skyworks RDS with 500 lb dacron between the slider and dbag (which has a pocket in the dbag for it). I take mine to terminal virtually every jump. I get good openings everytime and do not have any damage to my canopy from the system.

peace, Jon

Does anyone know if a Pro Cypres II can be moded to a Student by SSK? I missed their business hours today and was wondering if anyone has encountered this. I know they can mod an expert II to a Speed II.

thanks, Jon

Shiny new bikes are fun. I took a picture of my twins the other day. Enjoy...

-Jon

Back up to a mirror and look over your shoulder...

-Hixxx

Both look good. The split color schemes from UPT are fun. As long as you have one color and the rest neutrals, most design will turn out okay. In rare cases you can use 2 colors without it looking crappy with one used for panels and the other used for trim and embroidery.

Stay away from using neon for anything other than embroidery and piping (fades in a couple years).

Hope this helps.

Hixxx

I don't think everyone realizes how miraculous then women's team's performance is unless you put it into context.

They lost a key member at the end of May who was replaced mid June. With only 2 camps with the new member they go and come within a point of the defending World Champions. So, their performance was nothing short of miraculous. To get off the mat, assimilate a new member and go compete at that level in that timeframe.

Hats off to the US Women!!!

-Jon

I have an Optimum and a PDr in my closets, but they are small closets. I am way too much of a pussy to jump anything, but modern gear.

This one of the FOGs (Fuckin' Old Guy) rigs that I have for a repack inspection. After looking it over, it is in excellent shape despite being 19.

I stop repacking stuff when it hits 20 as a general rule...

-Hixxx

Because you have two balls. He's not looking at you man, he's meat gazing on your junk...

-Hixxx

It is a dubious question really. You see, Tom is an expert machinist, savant, who actually succeeded in machining and replacing all of his body parts back in the industrial revolution and swapped out his blood with a curious mixture of scotch and antifreeze. So, he has hasn't been human for a couple centuries, or rather organic.

The question of his birth is also in question since most would agree he is of demonic origin. Demon's, being supernatural, originally existed outside of the arch of time.

However, there are widespread accounts of Tom's emergence on this plane of existence from midevil times. As the tale goes, the Devil caught Tom in bed with his wife and daughter, one on each fist. Tom remarked to the devil "You are in time for the matinee, watch these bitches talk". Enraged by the ladies' moans of pleasure, the devil shot fire at Tom who quickly grabbed the bed sheet at all four corners (yes, Tom has opposable toes which he keeps hidden from mortals, another clue to his demonic origin and the devil's bed sheets are known throughout hell for their fire retardant properties) and road the swell of the devils breath up to earth. Today he still walks among us and mocks the devil by shaking both fists at him and manipulating the weak better than he can...

So, I hope this kinda clears things up for everybody.

-Hixxx

10-4, I like to have both in the interest of being thorough. Specifically, I am interested in the canopy mfg. having an addendum to include propacking.

-Jon

Javelin...

Anybody have packing instructions for one in soft copy?

Any service bulletins that I should be aware of?

thanks in advance, Jon

United would not allow me to either carry on or put my rig into baggage a couple months ago. I had to have my rig picked up by a friend and taken home. I will never fly United again unless absolutely forced.

Better send it through baggage...


-Hixxx

Taken from the Chris Saub weekly...


Let the Inside Out
I was recently informed that a young woman from my graduating class had passed away. Receiving news of anyone's passing seems to stop us in our tracks, if even for a moment, a reality check. Someone we knew or close to us experienced their "the end," causing us to realize all too well we have a "the end," in time, for us.

It wasn't so much "the end" that provoked my heart but how this young woman lived her life up until her "the end."

We didn't have a Valedictorian in our class, but as I recall three top students were asked to give motivational speeches at our Commencement, this young woman was one of those three. The speeches were about dreams, believing in yourself, striving for the impossibility, making it reality, aiming high, etc. etc... I used to think those kinds of speeches were merely cliche, just sentimental fluff. Words for a specific context... the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another.

I now realize, having grown in life, that those words are only cliche and fluff if we choose not to believe those words are true, or choose not to live what those words are saying. This young lady, who spoke these words, not only believed these words, she lived these words. In High School she had a dream to attend the Naval Academy , she did. She dreamed of jumping out of airplanes working for the Department of Defense, that was her career. She traveled the world in an elite, Naval group, jumping from airplanes. She was training for an international competition to be held in France later this year.

Before her "the end" came, she had let the inside out.

I guess we all have things on the inside, "wouldn't it be great to try that?" "Wouldn't it be great if I could do that for a living?" "I wish I could see this... or go there... or I wish I could do this..." "I've always wanted to try this..." Whatever this or that is, we have things inside us, wishes, goals... dreams. I suppose someone in our path told us "logic, common sense, these are the things that matter, not lofty dreams about accomplishing something great, or doing something adventurous. Get a job, work hard, work well, earn a living." Not that this is terrible advice, but often upon hearing this counsel we tend to say, "of course, I can't just spend the rest of my life doing that, I gotta eat. I want to get married, have kids, etc.... " So, we say no to the things inside, but we don't have to look too deep to know... those "things" are still there.

I'm happy. Though my co-graduate's life was short, she "lived." She believed dreams were true paths to take in life, she took hers and let what was inside, out. She went for it, and lived to find the impossible her reality. She held a dream and lived it. I'm happy.

I was pursuing a Law Degree, to be a lawyer. My parents sat me down and said, "Son, you love music so much, why don't you pursue that, if you fall down, Law School will always be there." I finished my undergraduate degree six months later, closed the books and never looked back.

Life. One day we will all face our "the end." I want to experience my "the end," with my "inside" empty. No more wishes, or would like to's on the inside. When my "the end" comes, I want my inside to be empty.

I've had senior citizens, World War II generation tell me, don't wait to travel. Look, I saved money my whole life to enjoy my "golden years," and now I'm too old to travel, or do much of anything. Don't wait...

What have you always wanted to do, but thought it too impractical to try, too... "eh, I could never do that." "How does that fit the family budget?" Maybe now is a time to try, start a new hobby, take a trip to somewhere you've always wanted to go. Don't be foolish, but let something inside, out.

I hope when my "the end" comes, people will look at my life as I look upon my co-graduates life, and they too can be inspired to "live," and let the inside out.

Thanks Mom and Dad,
Thanks Kelly.

To All,

I am simply in gratitude for al the help I have had in the last 11 days. Every time something came up there was someone to help. Despite the cruel enormity of what happened all involved were able to overcome and send Kelley on her way with class and sincerity.

thank you, Jon Frederickson

Made a few scheduling changes at the request of Kelley's Father Keith. The burial will now be before the funeral.

respectfully, Jon Frederickson


Viewing: May 30th 6:00pm- 8:00pm (officially, I will try to stay and extra hour later)

Crosby Burkett Funeral Home
11902 West Center rd.
Omaha , NE 68134
402-333-7200

Burial May 31st 10:00am

Forrest Lawn Cemetary
7909 Mormon Bridge rd.
Omaha , NE 68152

Funeral with reception to follow 11:30 am

Dundee Presbyterian
5312 Underwood ave.
Omaha , NE 68134

____________________________________________________

Additional Information:

In lieu of flowers the family would like her friends to make a donation
to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Kelley ' s mother died
of breast cancer when Kelley was 20 years old. http://www.komen.org

Here is a bio from Navy command of how Kelley was perceived by leadership with personal info she added about herself.

-Brother Jon




From: Stephen M. Cobbe
Date: Tue, May 20, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Subject: LCDR Kelley Frederickson USN


99 Third Fleet JFMCC,

It is with great sorrow that I must inform you that today we lost one of our own. LCDR Kelley Frederickson of the Las Vegas Detachment was in Southern California yesterday, staying with friends. She was there as part of the US Women's Skydiving Team, preparing for the upcoming World Championships later this year in France. She and her team jumped yesterday. They were going to do so again today. She went to bed last night and never woke up. Her friends discovered her this morning and were unable to revive her. She was subsequently pronounced dead by the Riverside County paramedics.

I had previously met Kelley last year during my visit to Vegas, under the Mullet Regime. I saw her most recently several weeks back with Tatu during this year's trip to the Det. I liked the way she embraced life. She and I would joke how after 7 jumps (5 static lines and 2 clear and pulls) I found the sport to be just this side of insanity. Falling and watching the plane fly away was absolutely the best. It was stepping out of the damn thing with a good engine running that was truly terrifying. At well over 2800 jumps, Kelley Frederickson was clearly made of sterner stuff... or perhaps more correctly she was the embodiment of the warrior ethos.

I have attached her bio to let you get to know her just a bit more. The other reason I do so is to give you an insight into someone who knew how to break the code when given a homework assignment. You may recall that shortly after my Change of Command when I gave the tasking, I was intentionally vague as to format. I knew it would be difficult for me to get to know all 120 of you in a unit that meets only twice a year. Thus, I wanted to give you the widest latitude in telling me your story. For those of you who gave me the standard Navy blurb, with the standard photo, in the standard format... absolutely A-Okay... square filled.

Now take a look a Kelley's (below and in the attachment). Two nice photos, short bulletized write-up. It didn't take her much time to throw it together, but it told me everything I needed to know about her... particularly the bottom line... just in case I happened to be to be especially obtuse.

I had been in command 10 minutes, hadn't even met the woman, and yet I had already figured out that she was one to watch. Pretty simple once it's laid out in front of you... isn't it?

Anyway, we can lament that we have lost such an incredible human being at such a young age, in the prime of her life. Or we can marvel at how she lived her life at full Military Rated Thrust and went out with both guns blazing. I prefer the latter... at least I will try.

For those of you who feel the need, like me, to have a chat with your Maker over the next several days... well, from my perspective, that is most assuredly authorized and encouraged.

Respectfully,

Stephen M. Cobbe
Captain , United States Navy
Commanding Officer, Third Fleet JFMCC

----- Original Message -----
From: Frederickson Kelley Ctr 59 TES/DOR
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 4:12 PM
Subject: BIO

Skipper,

Per request,

Name: Kelley Frederickson

Age:33
Rank: LCDR
Birthplace: Omaha , Ne
Family/Marital Status: Single
College: USNA, 1995, B.S. History
City of Residence : Las Vegas
Occupation: F-22 System Administrator, Lockheed Martin
Former Occupations: F-14 RIO , VF-213, Pfizer Pharmaceutical Representative
Hobbies: 4 way Skydiving competitor (member of current U.S. women's team!) working out, flying, reading history or current events, watching football
Favorite Book? Umberto Eco, Name of the Rose
Favorite Place? The Sky
Total Skydives: 2800
Life Philosophy: discipline is the bridge between dreams and accomplishment
Most people don't know this about me: I was a cheerleader at the Naval Academy
What is you most significant life achievement? USNA graduate, F-14 combat vet
What drives your competitive spirit? challenges
Explain "who you are" in five words or less: Loyal, dedicated, playful, quick-witted, passionate
What quirks do you possess? scatterbrained on the "small stuff", intensely focused on the "big stuff"
Where would you like to be 10 years from now? In command in the Navy Reserve

Friends and Skydivers,

Thank you for the support via phone, email, myspace. I apologize if I haven't responded to all of you. It has been a busy couple of days making arrangement for Kelley's return to Omaha.

The following Memorial arrangements should not change that I have listed below. So, come with and open heart and share as Kelley would have wanted. I look forward to seeing all who can attend.

Brother Jon

Viewing: May 30th 6:00pm- 10:00pm

Crosby Burkett Funeral Home
11902 West Center rd.
Omaha, NE 68134
402-333-7200


Funeral May 31st 10:00am

Dundee Presbyterian
5312 Undewood ave.
Omaha, NE 68134


Burial to follow after Service

Forrest Lawn Cemetary
7909 Mormon Bridge rd.
Omaha, NE 68152


Reception after burial, those who do not want to attend the burial may remain after the service for the reception.

Dundee Presbyterian
5312 Undewood ave.
Omaha, NE 68134

This is really a matter of preference and what you are using the canopy for.

Dacron is a good choice if you are doing CRW or softer openings are really important (injury, age). The tensil strength is lower, but the elasticity of the line keeps it resilient. It may help little if you have been wacked from not slowing down enough on a wingsuit jump before you pitched (though it would just be better to slow down more)

The negative of Dacron is higher pack volume and higher drag. The increased drag will result is a slightly slower full flight speed = slightly weaker flare.

Spectra is a more modern material with a higher tensil strength. However, due to its characteristic shrinkage from heat friction, it will go out of trim sooner than Dacron will get weak. Within 300-400 jumps it will have changed by 600-800 jumps it may be so out of trim that it opens hard and doesn't flare as well anymore.

So, Spectra is a lower pack volume better performing line set, but you may find yourself replacing it a few hundred jumps sooner.

Other than rigging, my experience is based on owning a Triathlon 175 with Spectra and a Hybrid Triathlon 160 with continuous center lines and Spectra.

Hope this helps, Hixxx