mtpohl

Just a short note that Alabama Skydiving Ctr., Pell City, AL, now has a PILATUS PORTER on staff! Plane was purchased from Freefall Express (Z-Hills, The Ranch) and climbs competently to altitude (14k ft) in about 20 min. [It might be the plane, it might be the jump pilot extraordinaire, Shawn!] Great vibes, great dz; great in-air sceneray. Check it out; it's worth the drive! Plus Rob and Laura (and all the other regulars) are really working hard to make this a most welcoming place. /M P.S.: They did 15 loads on Saturday alone!

0 in about 500. Great gear, awesome packers, and I am very rigorous in pre-flighting the equipment. (Only one issue ever in 500+ jumps that I needed the packer to fix while still being on the ground.) Tandems are fun, I still truly love doing them!

I absolutely, positively concurr about your very positive experience with Mike/Altico/Dolphin. We owned two Dolphins initially (5 yrs ago; at $600/ ea. new). And yes, we did not take much of a hit on reselling them...:); I know for a fact that one of them is now doing duty in Bolivia. Mike's dedication to the sport and customer service is nothing but exemplary! A true pioneer, he has been around for longer in skydiving than many of us have been on the planet. Let's respect our elders. There is a lot to learn from them and be thankful for. /Matthias

Video not included. But as soon as you wake up after surgery, Hans and Dave (both pro competitive swoopers) will be available for a debrief to exactly pinpoint those skills the unfortunate individual needs to work on. :) /M

As an added bonus... Skydive the Farm is just a short 15-min Lifeflight from one of the finest category I Trauma Centers in the Southeast... Femured in? Broken pelvis? Brain swelling after balls had gotten too big? Null problemo: our board-certified trauma surgeons have you up and running in no time. C'mon on out and try that toggle hook from 50 ft that you always dreamed of. :) /M

Angelika, Martin, and myself plan to pull in late Saturday. I pledged Angelika to a dz in 'bama for the day, hence our late appearance (s.b. please make sure that I have an RV outlet to keep my 20-month old cool, comfortable, and quiet). See you guys... /M

Not enough that they have this $10/14 deal going on all season. Now I hear rumors about a 4-day all-you-can-jump Memorial Day Weekend for $150 (CRAZY!!!!), and free Fridays (I don't even wanna know what that is about!). /M P.S.: I am not affiliated w/ sdFaRm, so these are unsubstantiated rumors.

Reminds me of an observation some 10 yrs. ago: driving on campus in Ft. Collins (home to CSU), I see this absolutely gorgeous woman (21 at most) in an outstanding blue-metallic Ford Mustang. The license plate read: IOUDAD. At least she was honest and appreciative. /M

But doesn't discrimination imply some adverse effect on the individual? Where is the adverse effect on you by having to pay $4 less? (I mean you can always donate it to beer, Sierra Club, or the Democrats). And no, even at $14 you will not become one of the guys. There are just some distinguishing physical and mental differences between the sexes (thank God for them). /M P.S. : Let me suggest that you PM any reply you feel necessary. And that you come out and jump with me (and/or my wife; who never ever complained about $10 jumps).

So, you are being discriminated against, because you have to pay LESS !!!!!!??????? That's a new one. Very creative... /M

Vallerina: it happens all the time in skydiving: (i) why do teams get better rates?; (ii) why does staff pays less for jumps; (iii) why can you get a discount if you pre-pay a block of 100 jumps?. Relax !:) Plus, I am sure that you can always pay $14, if you insist on being one of the guys !:) /M

I like the description of the Farm as a "skydiving resort"...that really captures it best and also distinguishes it from your standard dropzone setting (general aviation airport, lots of concrete and hangars). With the Farm one is in the midst of nature, lucious green grass, water, cow pastures...very relaxing environment indeed. I wish Hans, Harvey, Justin, Dave, Greg, etc etc the best of luck. They are putting a lot of time and money into it...and they might just be onto something very different, very new, and very good. /M

My wife raptured her ACL in Aug 03 on a botched tandem landing (passenger was ok: all smiles). At 1000+ jumps (AFF-I, TAN-I, Sr. Rigger), she has not been too proud to slide in everyone of her landings ever since on her cute behind. Smart thing to do until she undergoes reconstructive surgery in early May. /M

WOW... some 24 h ago I made a comment to the effect of "Proud to be an American...?", in response to some dude's story at first-hand experience of the PA penal system. I then clinched a bit with Clay, just for the fun of it. Now all of these comments (my and Clay's) have been cleanly cut from the threat. WHO NEEDS BUSH OR THE PATRIOT ACT WHEN WE (AS A COMMUNITY) CAN SELF-CENSOR OUR THOUGHTS. Welcome to 1984...and THIS is really scary!!! McCarthy says Hi! /M

Clay, in the two (?) years that we shared skydiving at SDA, I don't think she ever became aware of your existence...Of course, that seems to be your general fate with women! /Matthias P.S.: But then, what else would you expect of a dude that considers "Rolling Rock" beer? Do you also consider a hand-shake sexual intercourse...?