jonstark

Sorry Harri but you'll never find a 206 that weighs so little unless it has undergone major refurbishment with weight loss as the only goal. Cessna's stated weight is for an airplane with the barest minimum of equipment. Over the years radios, wiring, insulation, debris, etc accumulates and you find yourself with a heavy aircraft. Start pulling out unnecessary equipment, wiring, etc and you may recover a bit. Jon

Can you address some of the maintenance issues that have arisen with this mod? The early adopters didn't know what they didn't know and have evidently learned a lot. Jon

By jumping with what sounds like a bad back you are putting yourself, the instructor and DZ at risk. Nobody can assure that you will have a soft opening or landing. Nobody can assure you that skydiving is "safe". A tandem student with MS is different than someone with a compromised back. Can you run up and down a flight of stairs? What would it do if you fell onto your butt from standing? Make sure to tell the DZ so they can decide whether or not to take you. Be honest!

*** Well, to be a bit pedantic, if he is licensed, then he's a rigger. If he's not licensed, then he's not a rigger. It's part of the title of the rating A rigger is "certificated" not licensed.

Remind me why exactly you want to live on the DZ anyway. Is it the perceived lifestyle? Short commute if you intend to work there? Low rent? Sence of community? Why??? Jon

$20/load

Used to be, in the olden days when we landed like a sack of potatoes, that your first stand-up was a case of beer! Nowadays many if not most first jump students land so softly they can hardly stand up. Congrats! It must feel good! Jon

$10/load You're going to have to do the math... Jon

Heartfelt sendoff Niki. John was indeed a great guy. One of the last four way jumps I made with him was memorable. We blasted thru point after point cranking away. At 2500' it seemed as though we all realized the altitude but John, Tommy, Hallett and I grinned big for a couple more points finally breaking off at 1500' landing way out, high fives on the ground. THAT is the smile I see when thinking of our friend John. Blue skies and one more point John! Jon

After me you're first!

Put notice on the DZ bulletin board saying you're looking for a rig. There are lots of rigs sitting in closets gathering dust. Jon

You may find that full hook-up rent off the DZ can be cheaper. If you're not working on the DZ it may not be worth it.

Welcome back at whatever pace you choose! You might enjoy some tunnel time prior to knock a few rust flakes loose. Jon

Forgetting HAS to be programmed into the brain! Could there be any reason to store every face you see on a crowded street or passing through a tollbooth?! Interestingly it is believed that smoking marijuana turns on or activates this brain function. Go figure! Mine has been working overtime for years even without help. Jon

I was wearing a Mardi Gras orgie/flesh pile tee shirt the day Truffer and I went over to the oxygen supply house in Deland for the 90 way record jumps. The proprietor didn't say a thing until he came out to watch the next day. He loved it and wanted to see what kind of people would wear such things. Jon

What do you want to know? I have a lot of time climbing in SoCal.

Are you thinking of Jay Hildon? Often called JayBo. He was Slots.

I pulled 23 of those loathsome critters off me last year. Hazard of the logging biz. Jon

That is why you should buy one with all the sponsorship patches and embroidery. Oh, and those handles help us lift you out of the crater.

I love the line... Please don't ask "How stupid can you be?!" Some people take it as a challenge.

At that time I was working for Lockheed Space Ops or LSOC getting the Shuttles ready for each mission. When I started the boss took me aside and told me I would be making some really good money but "Do NOT make any long term commitments." After I had been there for about six or seven months I decided to look into living on a golf course near Orlando. On that day I was just pulling into the sales office and stopped to watch the launch. Needless to say the shock of seeing the explosion and obvious loss of the astonauts that had come through our shop to introduce themselves just days before was huge. I left the parking lot minutes later without so much as a glance at the golf course. Jon

Safety!? This is skydiving for Pete's sake. We may do everything in our power to mitigate risk but there is no "safety"in jumping. Jon

Fuel costs are a small portion of the actual costs of operating a DZ. Profit margins and jump numbers for established DZs have taken several hits in recent years with increased competition by tandem mills, seasonal DZs popping up all over the USA, Groupon discounts, etc. There have been several DZs to discount their jump ticket prices but it usually doesn't last for long due to the above mentioned margin slimming. Consider a few simple examples of a the actual costs to operate jump aircraft... Outright price for an overhauled PT6-27 is $250,000. For a Cessna it ranges from $30-50,000. Hot section inspections due each 1500 hours can cost in excess of $60,000 per engine and a fairly busy DZ can fly 1000hrs a year. Changing an Otter tire can cost $400. Insurance is around $20,000 per year for a Twin Otter. Land lease, employee, utilities, facility maintenance, etc can cost a mid sized DZ $1000 per DAY whether jumping or not. ANY DZ making a little profit in the current climate is well served to put it aside for a rainy day.

That's a LOT of airplanes Van! Great market. Good luck with sales! I'm Assuming the stc will be able to be accomplished by any shop or properly rated mechanic? Jon

What will it take to make an Applicable Model List? Is that for you or the feds to come up with? Congrats on your efforts! Jon