StearmanR985

I will definitely work on being there for you guys. Ah, the Otter is so comfy....

So I did a quick H & P today from 4K. I waited to watch our rigger pitch and watch his opening then I depoloyed. I was under a nice canopy right at 2K. Great, no problem right? Well, I haven't done an H & P for awhile so I am just kicking back, stowing my slider, watch our rigger as he swoops me while under his canopy. do a little rear riser work....then I take a peak at the ground and realize....hey, I am kind of low and not near the LZ. Doh! I am at 800 feet and there is no way I am gettin' back to the grass. So I take a cross/down wind sliding in the weeds on my ass piece of crap landing. Two hours later, I am still picking weeds out of my pants. Lesson: Having fun while under canopy is great and all but don't forget where you are, the wind direction and YOUR ALTITUDE. Yes, I was a complete dumb ass today. I am quite surprised I didn't get hurt a bit actually as I came in pretty quick on some very hard ground. Thank goodness for all the milk I drink. Damn, can't believe I did that.......

Thanks weegee. I am going to try and talk Ken (RV owner) into doing it again and see if we can get closer.... Jeff

You cut me deep just now, you cut me real deep JP. Oh, ugly but FAST.

We are the teenagers of skydiving?? I listen, it just takes a while... Jeff

There we go.

Oops. The attachment didn't work damn it....

A week ago Sunday I had the opportunity to fly in an RV-6. Before we finished our fun we called up Stretch and got permission to fly formation with our Beech 99. Pretty cool stuff!!

While it initially seems like a good idea, it's actually quite inefficient. Remember the less distortion of the wing the better, not to mention you're now also going against momentum by changing the wing direction. Jim Slaton had a good tip on not forcing a bad situation. You can recover some of the excessive altitude by using both fronts, but I'd advise against counter rotating, not only for loss of performance but also traffic consideration factors. The best approach would be continuously evaluating your altitude as you did the turn and extending or shortening the turn speed to keep you in the correct altitude for that part of the turn. Sometimes we're just too high. Better to go and try again than force a situation. Blues, Ian Hey Ian, I tried both of these techniques out this past week and guess what? It worked right from the start!! Not only was I able to hit the mark but had some good canopy speed as well (again, for a Tri that is). I have also begun to incorprate harness input as well. Now I know a Tri doesn't respond too well to harness input but it does make a little difference, and it is fun too. I am having a blast!! I have only been able to get a 20 to 30 foot surf (knees/toes scraping the grass kind of thing) out of this thing but intend to keep working on it. I wanted to thank you for your advice. Jeff

Hmm, Around here: Long Spot = Pitch higher

How did that Saturday end up being? I called in the morning and was told the winds were at 20+ mph. So I went to my home DZ instead but then I believe Stretch took off with the 99 to go over to you guys. I take it I missed out some great fun, yet again?

I needed that!

Oops, my bad. I just figured it was something wrong with my system.

So, about 1 out 3 times I try access anything on the site I get this Proxy Error message after about 40 seconds. I hit the Back button and try again and sometimes it works sometimes not. I have noticed more and more of this over the past few weeks. Can anyone help?

FlyingArab, I don't want you to think I am trying to hijack your thread with my own questions.

Ian, Interesting point. Damn, I thought I was on to something. Oh yeah, no worries about traffic I am quite aware that S turns on final are a no-no if traffic is around. Both dangerous and rude. On the serious side. With my Tri, I don't get much out of the double fronts (could be my technique ), that is why I attempted this manuver. One thing I would like to note is that my transition from left front to right front was fairly gradual and smooth. Reading posts here and speaking with Ed (my T-AF instructor), I am aware of canopy distortion and recovery so I didn't just snap from left to right. The canopy picked up more speed and my landing was the fastest I have gone under this canopy, so far that is. So I really thought I was on to something there. I do realize that the idea is to set up at the proper altitude so you don't have to do stuff like this. But, I still suck!! And with all the stuff I have read about low turns I am being quite cautious. Can be frustrating though when I keep setting up too high, again and again and yet again. Just looking for a way to keep or even gain speed as I continue to practice and get better. Keep the suggestions coming please, Jeffrey

I am still quite new but have been working with fronts since about jump 30. I only do about a 120 degree turn but have a tendency to set up a bit high. A question: Ramon, if I am too high what do you think about purposely over turning a bit then using the other front to get back on line? Providing traffic is clear of course. Basically kind of an S turn with fronts just prior to flare point. I tried this on Saturday and my canopy seemed to pick up even more speed (for a Tri that is ) with the 'second' turn. Jeff Edited for spelling, DOH!

You have your religious perspective...I have another. Again, I say to those who haven't experienced depression so badly that suicide is a solution, "thank God!". Ah, I misunderstood your original post. Please accept my apologies.

God and suicide don't go together.

I voted 'other' Bill charges us a buck per charge over here for card use. Doesn't matter if it is for one ticket or 50 tickets, its a buck extra to use a card. Seems quite reasonable to me. Jeff

I share shadowjumper's viewpoint. Even though a close family member of mine commited suicide just a few years ago. Apparently, this option is beyond my comprehension. However, I certainly do sympathize with the family and friends this individual left behind. Especially after watching the pain my family went, and to some degree are still going through. James, You make a good point. But besides depression and/or emotional distress a severe amount of self guilt, whether justified or not, my cause someone to choose this way out too.

I will be the guy with the large grey ice chest. And I will try to accomodate your request.

Disclaimer: I SUCK!!! But okay!!

That's one. How old is your son? My daughter is 10 but she won't be with me this time.

So I stole a few moments away from work and finally paid a visit to Byron yesterday. Figured out the correct route to take nfor next time , filled out the waiver, got the tour and met Vic, Connie, and Fara (sp?). It appears that I will finally be able to spend the day, and maybe part of the evening, there this Saturday (and hopefully order my new Pilot!!!! Bonnie?). So I am wondering, who all is going to be there? I will have a FAT ice chest full of beer and wine (requested varieties anyone?) in tow...... Jeffrey