diveout

pm sent

So far my Troll 322 has treated my really well (see PCA/ static line from 195'B once, 210'E twice, 159' Sx3jumps)... Can't wait to air out my new Flik 354. Should have it in a few weeks.

Yea, I got that e-mail too -along with the masses. I wonder what the current status is of the "conferences"...it actually sounds sort of hopeful. Maybee the new director will see fit to **direct** a planning process that can allow for permits to be issued on a regular (even if it's spendy to us) basis. It seems like, purely based on her position that she ought to be able to recommend or even initiate such a thing.

Now that we've spotlighted the point. Are there any members of the BASE community who are working to get our poop in a group? Does anybody know if the ABP...nevermind. What now? Is anyone goint to chime in and say, yea. I got it. I/ We recognize that there is new leadership at the top and we're working on it. Or: I got my best guy (or lady) on it, or something?

From 1st post that started this thread: WASHINGTON - The National Park Service's new director says the agency will increasingly look to outside sources for money to help maintain parks. We're much more business-savvy than we used to be," said Mary Bomar, a career employee who became director in October, in one of her first interviews as head of the agency. "NEW DIRECTOR...HEAD OF AGENCY" it seems like an important set of new ears may be able to at least listen first before telling us no. Even if Ms. Bomar is a career NPS official she may be more friendly than the old establishment in terms of our cause.

Do you think it would be progress? Or would the man just be sticking it to us in a different way? I think it would be VASTLY better than what we are stuck with right now... I say it would be a huge step forward. We could even take it to the extreme -Picture the headline all accross the BASE forum from AP press release: NPS ok's charge of $2,000 per jump from well-known national park cliff _(insert favorite object here). They are now putting themselves in a position that gives US leverage. They have admitted 1) that they need and want OUR money, and 2) that they have a price. The next step is just to negotiate the price down in our favor (see massive group discount).

We shouldn't HAVE to sneak around at night, or dodge NPS rangers for fear of arrest to "take what we can get." We know that charges could be somewhat serious and we know we'll be spending a night in jail if caught. If I show up to an public land, and my exit, freefall and canopy ride have .00000001% chance of hurting and innocent bystander (or park visitor, or wildlife) why not take my $500 bucks and give me the month to have at it with the big E's in the area...Add to that -we could easily and quickly come up with a "retainer" call it what you want of like $5000 to $10,000 to cover the cost of rescue and/ or recovery if the stuffy old powers that be want security. It's a win-win, they get more $ for whatever they choose and I/ We get to play on the cliffs: It just doesn't seem like an arrangement that is so freakin' difficult, or unwanted by the other side, or outlawed, or whatever... What is the next step in the progression; and how does and average joe like me (probably most of you -with a few spare minutes to type to a message board at the end of the day) take??? I'm asking because I want to move our collective foot forward.

Am I just being optimistic, then...thinking we have a chance to do something now, with a focused effort and a few bucks? Who's minds need opening up to the fact that BASE would be a great attraction? How long until they retire and start drawing their pensions? What elected officials and attorneys do we have on our side? It seemed like a small victory for our side when the management policy showed a specific change (essentially removing the "parachutes are bad" language). Still the brave and the relatively few will risk getting busted for the chance to get to some of the most amazing jumps the planet has to offer. If we're willing to risk that won't we make a few phone calls and fill out some forms to make the weekly permit application a reality? Maybe we're just a lazy as they need us to be...we aren't squawking loud enough, often enough, or in the right direction.

At one point or another the ABP had a letter writing campaign, if I remember right. Couldn't a small group organize a system for applying for special use permits on a regular basis (once a week, or biweekly) stating our intention and willingness -as a group- to put up a given amount of money ($2,500-$5,000) as a sort of deposit that would begin to cover potential rescue costs? In my dreams I imagine in the next 5-10 years, when BASE is open on NPS territory: **Something like** 3 hours to exit, for 3 days a week, for 3 months of the year. You would pay your $100, or $500 or whatever for the right to jump as much as you want from certain locations during a certain time frame. Does it sound like I'm taking crazy pills? It seems like a reasonable progression to get to this point. Are we really that far away right now? I hate having to leave my own county for true big wall jumps; to avoid or lessen the likelihood of arrest and prosecution. Back to the point, though /how many people/ would pay say $500 a month for your park specific pass, or $5000 for the year for an all-parks pass? I bet in a few short years that number could easily be 50-100.

PM sent

I have a small mesh slider on my mojo 280. I've jumped it slider up about 25-30 times and most of those were 5 ish second delays from just under 900 ft. It comes down smooth but by no means fast. I don't use a direct slider stow -unless I'm jumping it terminal. I'm looking into a large mesh slider for it now, becasue of the type of jumping I use it for most of the time.

I've made several skydives and a few BASE jumps using bungee cord in my Phoenix Suit. It felt like a noticeable difference in perfomance. I had them pretty tight, but I didn't notice any real restriction at any time at all comared to flying the unmodified suit. I did notice that with the leg bungee, the pants would tend to want to come unsnapped in frefall on long skydives. I came up with a system to attach the pants to the liftweb of my container at each hip. That way you won't find them flapping around your ankles at a bad time. I have not jumped with a static system.

My 1st E jump...Thanks to the supercool crew who took me along, loaned me a rig for this jump and then sent me this pic.

you gotta be kidding, right?

Yea, Thanks dude you are one dedicated hi-speed organizer. Even after swimming around in the green SDO pond you were RUNNING in the near-dark setting the course up for the follwing morning. Kudos. Thanks judges and other pilots as well.

I've found some companies won't issue you a policy all together if you admit to BASE. I'm looking for the same thing and I think the best you could do would be a company that would pay out for skydiving but exclude incidents from fixed objects. Anybody got that?

That was a hell of a good time that day. We had great conditions and Steve and I each got several good lauches. I'm a little disappointed that they didn't publish the photos of some sweet 2-ways that we did. Cool to see it was noticed. Some of the quotes seem a little different from what I remember, but overall I think they did a good job with it. Also, the caption is wrong, that is me -but not in California, that photo was taken in the Oregon.

I second that: Try to get some software so your pc will play it. My disk doesn't work in any conventional player I've tried. HOwever, my Dell desktop and my friends Sony VAIO laptop both played it fine. It will leave you speechless... If airfare were cheaper right now I'd be planning to see some of these locations first-hand. Thanks to the VKB guys and keep it up!

I'm the guy from Oregon. Here are my thoughts: I have nothing but respect for Jaap for doing a thorough job of checking me out when I asked him for some information. I did not consider it to be insulting, disrespectful or anything close to it. If anything it made me feel BETTER about the situation, Japp himself and our communication in the future. Checks like this HAVE to be done...period. As a relative newcomer I welcome it for myself. What right does anyone have to be offended or upset, if someone wants you to prove that you SHOULD have the basic skills needed to survive our sport? None. Just like you shouldn't go lying about your credentials in the first place.

I'll chime in as I'm 220 without gear. I also jump a Troll (MDV DW)305 now -I love it. I have a Mojo 280 that I've used on mostly slider-up jumps with clear, open landing areas -also frequently landing into a moderate headwind. I wouldn't want to land it on pavement or rocks. I can easily see getting a 320+ in the future for more technical jumps and tight or knarly landing areas. Bigger is definitely better canopy-wise, but not in terms of pounds. I really like and emphasize the previous advice: 1) think hard about the types of jumps you plan (or DON'T plan) to do. 2) Use good boots 3) PLF's are OK

I've had the same problem, there's a couple vids I'd really like to see too, andybody know what's up?

Here in the NW CPC we had a guy who attended most of the comps under a Katana 97. He was having FUN...everyone knew it was unlikely that he would win, however he make some nice turns and beat out more that one competitor during more that one event. He didn't make 20 hop-n-pop's a week, wear weights or go 350+ feet, but he surprised a few people and had a good time doing it. Swooping is FUN, one need not fly a cross-braced canopy to have fun, even at the competition level.

I vote 89 stiletto also, they're proven and there's a few of them out the for demo and/ or purchase

That right everyone, the local kid who is the NW district organizer took second, I think, and won $1,500- in the advanced category at Denver. Stu, I just want you to know I'm going to train next year... Then I'll beat you at every regional event instead of just two, you little bastard. Nice flying at the national level. You kicked some ass: You deserve it. edited for spelling

I was wondering what I was going to start, sheesh! I base my original post on the reputation, research and people involved with performance designs as well. No one can honestly say that any other company has the resources or facilities at their disposal that PD does. I love my Xaos 21, I've got about 1000 jumps and 10 ground-launches on it. It has a more efficient stabilizer design than my velo, a better lineset design, along with cooler colors, but guess what. If I'm gonna enter a swoop contest I'll have a Velo over my head until something better comes along. The JVX may be close, only time will tell. For now I'm sure that it's not worth $2500...not to me. It does fly awful nice.