larry

I feel for you. I posted earlier saying winter sucks in the north if you can’t afford a jaunt to the south. I was told I’m a wimp because I stop jumping in the winter. I would jump but for two things. 1) The DZs in my area (SW PA, USA) rarely do anything on the weekends. 2) Nobody can tell me a winter jump (though it may be fun to experience a few times) can beat an entire day of jumps like you get in the summer. -Larry

not as old as some listed here, but surely older than most... 92 Pisa COE-D (9-cell zp) only 200 jumps, is actually in good shape considering it's age -Larry

47 DOH! -Larry

Please don’t hold back on any boobie posts! Though I know you’re joking, you do know what I mean. Like the scene from Animal House where “flounder” is trying to pledge a frat and asks the poker players, “you guys playing cards?” LOL -Larry

I too have been reading for a long time but have few posts. It's not that I'm shy and I don't really like being labeled a newbie, but I think it's better to post only when you have something meaningful to contribute. I’m not talking about the people here that are well know and often post with their opinions or to chat with a friend. I’m talking about people that post in this and other forums because they need some attention, those that write just to get a response not because they don’t know the answer and often don’t really care what the answer is. It’s sad and embarrassing. So anyway, I think there is nothing wrong with people that have been here for a while and only have 30 posts or less. IMHO -Larry

http://www.skydivenet.com/fatalities/ This is the page I go to learn about what caused a fatality and if there is anything that can be learned to prevent me from doing the same thing. As stated in the disclaimer of the site, it is not for whuffos that want blood stories; it is a place for skydivers to learn from the tragic and unfortunate losses of others. -Larry

Thanks everyone for the advice. Since my gear is in pieces right now, I’m going to scrub the container as suggested, maybe try some Shout on the stain. -Larry

buy a copy of "The Skydiver's Handbook" click here for amazon site with this book (at $14 this is a steal, well worth every cent) I agree with this wholeheartedly. I still use it every once in a while to check something out (not that I’m an expert or anything with only 31 jumps). You are going to love it, the best rush in the world. Even sex is not as good as jumping; the only thing better is sex while jumping. -Larry

Just got my first container a few months ago (javelin). It is in good shape as far as being safe and undamaged, but it has a pretty nasty grass stain on the main flap right where the color patters are. I want to use some kind of stain remover to get it out but do not want to shorten the material's life or damage it. Any suggestions on what I should use? This is a real newbie question but I honestly don’t know. Also, is it ok to get it wet and scrub it with a stiff brush? I think I saw somebody doing that once at my dz. Thanks for the info! -Larry

Fab, Nice background photo. Any chance of you emailing me a copy? [email protected] Thanks Never mind, downloaded it off your website. Hope that is cool with you. -Larry

mine...

31 A39180 It’s not the quantity it’s the quality. Or is that just with sex? Either way, I’m not getting enough yet. -Larry

It’s also the shoes for me, Felt a little nervous when last years shoes wore out and had to jump with a new pair. After the first jump though, they were now my new “lucky jump shoes.” Been with me while falling fast from 13K so they’re initiated. -Larry

This is great, the old server was a real dog at times! -Larry

My DZ does not do much in the winter except for a currency hop and pop about once a month, closest that does more is a bit of a drive. In any case it doesn't compare to a warm, clear day followed by a night of fire and beer outdoors. Know what I mean? -Larry

used to love it… now that I jump, live in the north and can't afford a jaunt to the south… SHIT! -Larry

trippin, The life insurance I have through my work will cover me in a skydiving accident as long as I was not doing it professionally (as a JM or a paid demo jump, etc.). I am covered if I were to bounce doing a recreational sports jump. So to answer your question, it is definitely possible to get life insurance that will cover you while skydiving, but I would ask the insurer before I got any new coverage. -Larry

It really sucks that we can’t jump, but I can understand it. I heard they caught two groups of five people in New York, each trying to board a commercial plane with knives. They were all Arabic and some were pilots. What’s to prevent more of these terrorists with pilot’s licenses from renting a plane or chartering an aircraft? I don't know what can be done... -Larry

FYI: If anyone is curious, got a hold of someone from PISA, was very helpfull. Sound like everyone in this thread had the right information. He writes: Hi Larry, You've come to the right place. The COE-D parachutes are ones we manufactured some years ago under licence from Bill Coe of Performance Designs. We sold them in Europe , not in the USA for a number of years but have since stopped production. The suggested all up exit weight is 260 lbs. Yes , your COE-D could be any combination actually - TOTAL ZP ; Hybrid mix or total F-111. The 1992 canopy is getting passed our record keeping of about 7 years. If you give me the serial number , I "may" be able to give you what was incorporated into the design. No the COE-D design is not a Sabre which came out in 1987 or so , but rather Pre-Sabre or the original PD 9 cell. And certainly you can pro pack the canopy. As you may be aware, its a pretty straight forward 9 cell so there are no tricks or special ways to pack it. Anything else you'd like to know ? BLUE SKIES NED P.I.S.A. -Larry

I am relatively new with only 30 jumps, but I too am going from a Nav 280 to a Sabre 260. The advice I have been given is that the Sabre is less forgiving to low turns. It is more high performance, but not so much so that it is out of the skill range of novice jumpers. Also, with the decrease in canopy size (which is much greater in your case) you will come in faster and tend to swoop more when you flare. If you are new like me, you might want to wear a radio again for a few jumps. But I’m definitely no expert; I will be interested to hear what the more experienced jumpers have to say. -Larry

Thanks prost, that would be great! I think I’m going to go ahead and order it along with some other stuff today. It sounds like a good first chute at a nice used price. -Larry

Paul, cheif rigger at Skydive Acadiana http://www.skydiveacadiana.com/equipment.html It's possible, they sound rare... -Larry

zp-top and f-111 bottom would not be bad that is the same as the Navigator I jump now I'm going to email the seller one more time for clarification -Larry

I appreciate the advice. I am in contact with my local Instructor as far as what I should be jumping. He has not heard of it before either, and is also looking for some specs. If it is an F-111 I wont get it, I’m looking for a 260 ZP. Have not seen this particular chute yet, but the rigger I'm buying it from has it advertised as ZP.... Thanks again. -Larry

Pisa COE-D ZP 260 all light blue 200 jumps DOM 9-’92 If anyone has any information on what model this is or better yet a link to where I could find information about it, I would greatly appreciate it. I searched the web but found nothing on this model of Pisa. I have 30 jumps and am looking to buy gear. I weigh 230 with no gear. I’m worried it may be too advanced for my skill level. Thanks for any help, -Larry