pope

Not trying to be crass, but I do the same thing I [should] do on EVERY jump: evaluate ALL the conditions, including but not limited to wind velocity, GC or not, LZ, jumping mates, object specifics/type/location, gear and relative gear configuration, experience level, bad vibes, etc., and then make a well-informed decision about whether or not you should make the jump or back off it. BASE isn't about preset formulas...if there is a "rule" that says whatever that 45 degree floater thing you mentioned for example, and you do it textbook and still hit the wire or the tower, you're still just as fucked. Just because your friend thinks it's OK--even if he makes a successful jump right before you--that doesn't make it right for you to jump. We're ALL alone in big surf. $0.02 pope

Front float is not as hard as all that...it's all about putting the pressure on your hans hanging on to the side of the door and your foot in the front btm corner. for added stability I have also bent my leg and pressed my shin up against the fuselage. Think pushing your body out away from the plane trying to "look back in" at the student. I still say the best angle and easiest exit is hanging from the rear though. cheers! pope

When the U206 comes out at our DZ, we have a nice horizontal handle forward of the door and a small step that enables you to get out to the wheel (make sur the pilot has it braked!) which is still a challenging climb out but a perfect exit! With out handles I would do one of three exits: 1. right foot at bottom rear of door, one or both hands holding on to the door opening on the rear of the door (the lower te better), pushing on your foot and pulling on your hands, floating your left foot. 2. same (but opposite) stance from the front of the door 3. both hands in rear bottom corner of door, entire body hanging. This is obviously the most committing of the three, so make sure your spot is good before climbing out, cause you're not getting back in once you're out there, and a go around would suck in this position. Also, you might not want to try this one if you're wearing wings...they tend to get in the way when climbing out, but it's doable. I've jumped both types (cargo door/co-pilots door) and I think they're one of the most fun planes to exit while filming. In all of the 206's I've jumped, seat belts are (can be) a big safety issue for the videographer. Please make sure they are well tucked away and as far away from the door as possible. cheers. pope

they let you keep your dreads?? I'm definitely saving for a trip to NSW 5.5 yrs from now

That jump believe it or not is located in Death Valley, CA. You can't miss it. Just ask any of the locals for the "big cliff with the waterfall" and they'll tell you how to get there. good luck.

god you turn me on when you talk disease!

I think a better idea (if any) would be to set up [many] local databases (by state or major metro areas), accessed by invitation from one local jumper to another they're COMPLETELY private, and serve as a way of passing on information about who's coming to town, who's jumping what when, looking for GC, site-specific updates ("X" has a new security feature, be careful of bird's nest on "Y" etc.). This will help keep local jumping safer, keep more people in touch with each other, and help promote more unified local scenes. That way, the networks are there, and one need only "tap into" any part of it to find a local to jump with, letting the locals themselves sort out the details PRIVATELY and SECURELY. Then again, it works pretty well the way it is. It's great when I get an email from a friend who says: "hey my buddy is coming to your area--can you arrange some jumps with him/her?" That system rocks. whatever. /worthless chatter. pope

I did, but I also brought a Mastercard just in case. either way, I found that cash was more widely accepted. Seriously, I usually say "business" whenever I can. pope

I use them now, but I haven't in all situations. I prefer to not use one IF I don't need to, but in a working environment, the reality is that I often need to change tapes, batteries, plug in connections, or access certain parts of my cameras during a busy day that I can't afford to not be able to modify in the field. I used to carry a short phillips head in my kit, but I'd really rather not! Right now I've switched from the stroboframe to the cookie liquid mount. These things are SICK! I love them! cheers. pope

I use them now, but I haven't in all situations. I prefer to not use one IF I don't need to, but in a working environment, the reality is that I often need to change tapes, batteries, plug in connections, or access certain parts of my cameras during a busy day that I can't afford to not be able to modify in the field. I used to carry a short phillips head in my kit, but I'd really rather not! Right now I've switched from the stroboframe to the cookie liquid mount. These things are SICK! I love them! cheers. pope

I have a room in TF I'm looking to cut my costs on. Spitting distance to bridge. send me an email at chris AT triaxproductions DOT com if you're interested or want more details. cheers! pope

Oh yes! I remember the "Cookie Monster" too! cheers! pope

All you have to do is remember what you are supposed to be doing: Telling all the people watching their DVD (including the student!) the STORY of that person's skydiving experience. A bunch of non-sequiter shots might be great shots, but probably isn't an accurate representation of their experience at the dropzone. You also have to remember that you ARE A PART of their experience at the dropzone, camera on or off. These customers are paying a lot of money to document their experience at your dropzone, and it's up to YOU to make that happen for them. The "interviews" are just a quick controlled way to get that story told effectively. My best 3 tips are: 1. listen to what they say--often times they'll cue you in on what should be said next. Ask open-ended questions whenever possible. 2. keep it short, and don't EVER let a "talker" take control over the camera time! 3. Be creative! People always feel like they've gotten more for their money if it's not formulaic feeling. I've used a puppet many times--it's a lot of fun, but it's not for every customer. pope

I'm pretty sure that in NZ it's actually "BASES" (Buildings, Antennae, Spans, Earth, and Sheep) and the REAL nazis break it down into the "velcro gloves on/off" categories. Neil, weren't you BASES #1? Or was that Mulumba #1? cheers mate! pope

Don't take it to badly man-- But since you can't get laid, and homeboy was rubbing it in, why don't you just buck up and RUB ONE OUT? Or you could always travel and/or get a whore--up to you. good luck.

yo Spot; Did you check out the RED camera display? WHat are your thoughts on it? Did they have a working one? Is it still at $17.5? What's the skinny? cheers! pope

I've heard that they've already tested 200GB on Blu-Ray, while HDDVD is already maxed out. BluRay is the way! now it's just a waiting game for those prices to plummet. DSE? you were at NAB, care to comment?? pope

Yikes! That's not a very big camera at all--even to side mount.

What do you mean by this? Maybe I'm just being dense (probably) but please explain... cheers! pope

I agree! I got the original up on my wall! Thanks again! pope

Maybe the rule should read "Don't jump from the rail unless you have acquired a film permit from the proper authorities." Which, I would bet dollars to donuts that they did have. pope

be careful with this kind of post. You never know who you'll kill...but then again, if you're gonna take this as advice, maybe you deserve it. pope

If that were the case, there'd be about 25%+ that wouldn't be jumping! case by case basis, IMHO. pope

Polarizer is a good suggestion... other than that there are too many variables in your question to throw you a succinct answer. What do you mean by "whiting out?" slightly "overexposed?" Mostly white screen? Are you shooting with the sun at your back when it happens? Is it before opening or after? Do you have your "nightshot" locked in the "off" position? My best advice: RTFM and turn your autofucus off. cheers, pope

OK, due to this thread some friends and I went out the other night looking to tip some tunnel instructors. But we now suspect that the ease of tipping your tunnel instructor is merely an urban legend. We tried, multiple times to tip many different tunnel instructors, but no matter how hard we pushed they wouldn't go over! Even some of the scrawny ones! Just too damn coordinated I guess. Finally they lost their patience and kicked our asses. Then they took our wallets and told us to go back to the dropzone. Through our unsuccessful evening tipping tunnel instructors, we surmised two things: 1. It only really works with cows, and cows don't hit back. 2. It's probably way easier to tip a tunnel instructor after you get out of the tunnel (but only if they refill your coffee at least 5 times). That's the last time I go tunnel instructor tipping! pope