skydived19006

I use a GoPro He Hero for stills with hand cam. They have no image stabilization, so the video is considerably more shaky. I still don't see anything regarding image stabilization on the "3." Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Yeah, I think that the .750 (3/4") are what's typical. Have you seen this three cable release system? Actually, the ring I lost was due to poor rigging and a loop that was way to long, needs to be around 1" and must have been 1.5". The loop was broken and the ring gone, to which I responded "Better it broke than locked." The guy who I purchased this rig only had the one rig. He didn't have another to reverse engineer from when he lost the ring would be my guess. Not that I shouldn't have taken the initiative to change it. Regardless all that, thanks for looking! Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

It's the smallest ring in a three ring system, so for the OD is the only critical dimension. Shoobi responded to an email saying that he'd check when he gets home and likely send me one/some. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I own Eclipse tandem rigs with the third drogue release on the cut away handle. With this system, the small ring on the three ring release will get lost if all handles are pulled, or otherwise. The system was originally designed for a 3/4" ring, but was slightly prone to hang up since the geometry is poor with it floating on tubular line loop. At some point Shoobi found a .725 ring (I used a micrometer last evening to measure), and I thought that I still had a few but didn't find them. So, anyone have, or have an idea of how to obtain a few 316 SS, nickle plated, etc., welded rings with an OD of .725? I did email Shobi as well, maybe he still has a few in his drawer of stuff. Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

It would be on Vimeo, right? ;p Hahaha! Yea or Redtube! Beautiful, Since I wasn't there with ya, I'm quite content (not that it matters what the fuck I think) that it was an undie jump. Cameras are not nearly as acceptable on the sans clothing skydives. As a rule though, when someone is doing their 100 naked jump, it's customary for the rest of the load to undress as well, at least around here! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I would assert that the justification is to get a reserve that can be jumped in the same wind conditions as the main. I would venture that the goal is to get a reserve that packs in the same volume as the main for cosmetic reasons. You mention jumping in winds in excess of 25 mph. If you need a wing loading of in excess of 2/1 to have a rigid wing in the conditions then these guys must be jumping in wind more in the range of 40 mph, I really doubt that's the case. At 1.5 or 1.6 with a wing that's loaded toward the front (not designed for light front riser pressures), you're going to be rigid in wind to 30 plus, depending on gusting. But then if it's gusting 10 to 35, you're not going to have much certainty in a descent landing on any wing under any loading in my opinion. I can not see any hard surface landing at 2.2 done without pilot input being something that's not going to require a trip to the hospital. Interesting none the less. What we ("we" as in not me) won't justify in order to look good. Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

What's argument against simply converting to IAD? Is it the "Outhouse Argument"? As in we've been doing it that way for 50 years... The Wichita area made the change when there wasn't a separate rating, so no paperwork, additional ratings to earn, etc. A guy like Stokes could transition all the instructors and IEs over the course of a day or two. Though, don't tell Jay I said this, but the way he teaches placement and throw of the IAD is not a good idea. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I spent about five years dispatching SL, then we converted to IAD. The SL was PC assist, and I saw more scary stuff there then I ever have with IAD. I've never seen a PC hesitation with IAD, happened quite often with SL. That Velcro assist needs to be replaced every 5 or 10 jumps, otherwise it's useless. I had one SL student roll off backwards, and catch the PC bridle in his armpit, stopping the deployment. I remember being a SL student and watching my own PC from my back and head down thinking 'looks like it's working!' IAD is generally just a cleaner deployment. The PC is in the breeze and pulling within a fraction of a second of the student letting go of the airplane. Never had exposure to direct bag SL. Another "problem" with SL as compared to IAD, is that the students generally are trained to pull a rip cord. They'll have to convert at some point. Either that, or the DZ has to maintain SL rigs with spring loaded PCs, and others set up for hand deployment. The other option would be switching PCs all the time. I have heard of a DZ considering doing PC assisted SL with hand deploy pilot chutes, but don't know if anyone's doing it. Even with that option, you have to pack either for hand deployment, or with the PC inside the container set up for SL. SL as compared to IAD is just a pain in the butt rigging wise. With IAD, the student starts on the same configuration that he'll be jumping later, no transitions for him or the DZ. The one thing that I see as being difficult with IAD on a BOC is the practice throws. By the time the student is locating his practice PC the bag is out of the container, and it's not rigid anymore. They just have to be very deliberate in locating the practice PC. Though, once they've done those PPCTs, the real thing is relatively easy. I don't know if this has been covered earlier in the thread, so I'll write it anyway. Static line is not economic when flying a "large" turbine. Doing one pass per student at 4,000' with 4 minutes between is not going to happen with a Twin Otter. Conversely, for the small mom and pop guys like my operation, doing one load per student with two instructors isn't economic either. It ties up the airplane (C182), and I've never had the staff to make it happen if I'd wanted to. My opinion is that the training method is influenced by what works best for the aircraft than it has to do with what's "best." In other words "follow the money." Whenever you're told "it's not about the money." You can be pretty darn sure that it's all about the money. Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Ok, I'm not a rigger, and not generally familiar with reading a TSO. What's different? I skimmed through, and the last part (5) seems to jump out at me. As I read it, it seems to imply that a reserve to be considered "safe" should be loaded light enough to get an incapacitated for whatever reason down pretty much injury free. 5. Page 11, disregard paragraph 4.3.9.1., Rate of Descent Tests (Method 2). We omitted the Method (2) testing, for not providing an equivalent level of safety to current standard. This method is directed at high performance and experience parachutists in sport and skydiving activities. Novice or less experienced parachutists in emergency conditions due to incapacitation, panic, etc., may not be able to safely deploy and land. We have to consider the safety of all jumpers, not just the highly skilled, highly experienced. It is argued that the risks the experienced jumpers are exposing themselves to, are mitigated by their skill and experience. To allow the increased velocity may improve the safety of highly skilled, highly experienced jumpers, but it erodes the safety for the beginner, incapacitated, panicked, or a jumper who has gotten himself into a treacherous landing area. TSO-C23f 09/21/2012 Page 6 We do not agree that a canopy manufacturer can demonstrate that a jumper can safely land with an appropriate control manipulation while performing a flare before touchdown. This approach relies on jumper’s experience to meet the MOPS that parachutes have been certified to. This approach does not provide an equivalent level of safety. 6. Page 14, Table 1, under Marking Data Requirements, replace: Statement of Authorization under TS0-C-23e and/or (J) TSO-C-23e if applicable. With Statement of Authorization. Under TSO-C23f and/or ETSO-C23f if applicable. TSO-C23e has been cancelled Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

There's a great opportunity for a satirical response to that. That said, I'll leave it alone. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I'm at a point where I need to redo my ground video. It just occurred to me that I can also put in a little bit about solo training, and advise in that video so everyone sees it that if they're interested to please ask for more of an instructional experience. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I have shot video for several TI's that went to pull and decided we were in a good enough spot, so they just held their hands there... For a while. I appreciate a wave off and I always give the video guy one if I'm on the other side. Hell, I give the video guy a wave off when I'm shooting hand cam! He really appreciates it too! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Somewhat off topic, but I had a TI helping my at my DZ a few years back. I deployed at my typical altitude around 5,5, and noticed that he was a good 1000 to 1500 below me. I talked with him, and asked him to deploy higher, for consistency if nothing else. He said "Sure, no problem." The next jump, he was again well below me. That jump was the last tandem he ever did on my DZ. It would have been nice if the DZ management had simply required that this guy deploy above 5,000' when with video, if not on every jump. That would be the end of the problem, one way or another. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I like that, and now that I've watched the new UPT waiver video, I see the instructor doing just that. The primary thing that I'll nit pick in someone elses harness fitting, is that they'll often have the leg straps running to horizontal, or the apex at the sides to low. This allows the student to sink down in the harness on opening, and also slide around under the TI in freefall. I've now spent enough time on dz.com, since I can say that I've learned something. Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Sandy, As a vidiot, what are your opinions/thoughts on the subject? Have you shot video of TIs pulling "low"? Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Same as without video as a general rule. When Mark and I were trading tandem/video responsibilities, we both had audibles set to 6k. The video would "automatically" start to back off at 6k, and the tandem waiving at that time as well, pull around 5,5. But then you already know where I pull since you've shot video with me a time or two. Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Actually EVERY DZ uses them. Even in uncontrolled airspace the pilot is required to notify the nearest ATC before a jump. But what's required, and what's courtesy? We were having problems with the radio on my 182 (only one radio) a couple of weeks back. We talked with the controller on the phone a time or two trying to work it out, it was broadcasting noise. The controller asked us to turn it off, and keep flying. My DZ is a bit over 5 nm from McConnell AFB, and 13 nm from a Class C airport, we talk with Approach Control at this airport. We did have a functioning transponder with mode C, and an assigned code. So, the controllers would see us, know our altitude, and they're familiar enough with us to know what we do. I'm guessing that they were vectoring a bit more traffic around us, and it was more important for us to actually look for traffic before exiting the airplane. Logically, since we're within 20 miles of the Class C, the controller would generally be talking with most aircraft flying above 1200', so "the other guy" would generally have been notified that there may be skydivers in the air. ATC can also see the canopies on radar above some altitude, but I'm not sure exactly where they lose us. One of my pilots got a "talkin' to" for putting out a cross country jump outside our 5 mile NOTM area. Again, the controller had seen the canopies on his radar. On topic: it doesn't really sound like piston aircraft would be included if this were to come to fruition. But then the Federal Income Tax was passed as an amendment to the Constitution on the assurance that it would not exceed 3%, and only ever apply to the top couple percent of income earners along the East Coast. That's and example of what an us-vs-them mentality will get us!! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

The only thing that I would add is that you should not give them the paper waiver until after the video waiver and instructional video are complete. Our TIs are often on the airplane, and generally no manifest person, so the other staff (IAD Instructors, Coaches) will often get the video going for the tandem students. Once in a while someone, against my instruction, will hand the students the waiver, and instruct them to watch the video first, then fill out the paper. 90% of them will be filling out the paper waiver while the video is running, they just can not resist. When I see this, I'll ask who did it, and point out that what's going on. I see this as a legal risk, they'll say later "I didn't actually watch the video, I was filling out my paperwork." Maritn Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Two broken A-B lines just below the cascade point resulted in the only tandem malfunction I've had in over 2500 tandems. I have had as many as three broken suspension lines, but with the center four gone, the canopy tends to fold up. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

" ...................................................................... He has already proven that his testicles are larger and furrier than the next ten thousand young tandem students! I salute bomber command veterans like him. When you consider that casualty rates approached those of World War One trench-fighters (think 90 percent casualties suffered by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during one day at Beaumont Hamel). My family lost two uncles who served in FCAF bombers during WW 2. I also spoke with several relatives and men form my home town who served in RCAF bomber command. Two of them got medals for staying in the pilots' seats of Lancaster until the rest of their crews had time to bail out over (freed) France. Many of those veterans were reluctant to talk about their most miserable experiences in the tail turrets of Lancasters. As an aside, the most fun I ever had in an airplane was landing in the tail turret of of B-25 Mitchell bomber after test-dropping Aviator PEP prototypes. Even more fun than aerobatics with Mike Mangold! I saw a story of a F4 pilot who was very early in Vietnam. He was at the time afraid that the skirmish would end before he saw any combat. Obviously, he got there in plenty time to see plenty of combat. It may be a fairly common quote, but he said that not to long after he was involved he had figured out why old men cry when they talk about their combat experience. If you look at combat casualties throughout history, it's amazing. In the American Civil War of the 1860s, at some battles there were upwards of 25,000 soldiers on each side, and over the course of a few days, they had experienced 50% casualties. That's 25,000 dead in one battle alone!! Over the course of the war another very high percentage died of disease. In comparison, we have a memorial to the Vietnam Conflict in Washington DC listing 60,000 plus casualties. If one of those was close to you, it doesn't matter the numbers. Way off topic, but yes. That guy had seen real combat from the ball turret on a B17. Flying through flack, and seeing the 17 next to you break apart, etc. Hardcore shit!! Jump'n out of airplanes for sport is child's play in comparison. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I totally agree that it should have never made it that far. And, I am the DZO. Do you have policies for your office staff to help them screen for people who may not be competent to sign a waiver and consent form and what conditions should require a doctor's note to jump? We're a small weekend DZ, we don't have office staff. Well, the Instructors are the "office staff." I think that I mentioned more than once that we should not have let this one go as far as it did. I did the paperwork, but the guys SO came to me and said that he wanted to jump, I handed the paperwork to her and she helped him fill it out. David (other TI) did the training, and told me that he was not responsive to the training, again I should have looked into it farther at that point, then stopped it. Sometimes we need to stop and think about how we're doing things, this was an example of just that. More than one red flag. All that said, it is a lesson as well to all of us that right up to the point that we've left the airplane, it's still an option to stop. We do weigh all of our students, if they're over weight they don't skydive. We do age verify, if they're under age, they don't jump. I've informed more than one that I could smell alcohol on their breath, and that they would not jump. We do not have a policy, nor standard test for mental competency. I do appreciate the constructive criticism. It was a learning experience for me, and I thought worth sharing. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I totally agree that it should have never made it that far. And, I am the DZO. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I just received an email from a female asking that her reservation to do a tandem this weekend be canceled. Why? Because her friends "risk/reward" equations are not adding up. Stated another way, her friends are puss'n out on her, and she's being "a girl" not wanting to "do it by herself." I honestly thought that my above comments were fairly profound. To the point that I think I'll boil it down, and list it in my FAQs. As with the above mentioned woman, many folks may not understand why all their friends are such a bunch of pussies. This FAQ may lend a bit of prospective. Ok as a PC disclaimer, the use of the term "a girl" can obviously not be applied universally to all those equipped with mommy parts! Very many women in this sport exemplify what an independent woman can be! Skydiver chicks rock!! Love 'em! Short story: I was on my way to the DZ one Wednesday afternoon, and made the last turn onto the road we're located. I noticed that a mini van with a one occupant turned that way. She was wearing traditional Muslum head covering, and I thought 'that would be interesting if she's my 4:00 tandem student!' She pulled in at the DZ. She hadn't told anyone where she was going for obvious reasons. That chick had some intentional fortitude! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

You might touch base with the Des Moines Skydivers (Couch Freaks). They're a fairly large and successful club. They even make a large regional boogie happen on an annual basis! Hell, that boogie starts tomorrow, you should just drive out to Ft Dodge IA and do a little research!! Edit to add; it might be a good thing to have a lawyer and accountant as members who are willing to donate their expertise. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Ours was 4 feet high into the pea gravel. Yep, it sure weeded out a few.