htrammel

I imagine Uncle Don Yahrling stomping out his cigarette butt and grumbling "there goes the fuckin neighborhood". BSBD Scotty.

I just finished this book. Good read. Looking forward to seeing Zero Days Dark Territory: The Secret History of Cyber War by Fred Kaplan (Author) ISBN-13: 978-1476763255 ISBN-10: 1476763259

Looks like vortex ring state aka settling with power. Happens fast and low. The recovery procedure is very counter-intuitive.

Okay. Looks cool. But stop calling it a HUD. By definition, a HUD does not require the pilot to divert vision. This is not a HUD, it's a display. Pretty cool one, but not a HUD. BTW: was Jeb wearing one when he hit the planet? Good job not dying, dude. Glad you're back in the game.

Just found out I got a 4 year assignment in Beijing. Should be there by June/ July. I've never been there. Anyone have advice/ suggestions? Things to avoid? Things not to miss? Thanks!

I remember sitting in the back of Lucaya Air next to Bird. It was a boogie in Palatka and the winds were HOWLING. As we broke ground I mentioned that it might be too breezy for some reserves (many still had round reserves then). Bird looks me in the eye and says, "Hell, it's too windy for our mains." I was jumping borrowed gear and a camera. You could see my shadow backing up as I landed on the taxiway. The sound of my flip-flops trying to keep up as I ran with the canopy got faster and faster. Finally, on the video you can hear me say "Sorry dude." as I chopped the main. St Pat's Boogie if I recall.

I did some work on that bird when I was with United some years ago. Good to see she's finally airborne.

Excellent Quasi-eulogy. I only met Frenchy a few times at Z-Hills in the 80s. My favorite memory: During climb in one of the DC-3s at Turkey Meet (maybe 89?) some jumper was looking out the door and his gold necklace was ripped off his neck by the wind and gone. Frenchy, sitting by the door quickly looked out, down first then at the horizon, then foreward and aft. He did his normal solo exit around 6 or 7 grand and i didn't see him until around the fire that night. He walked up to the jumper who'd lost the necklace and reached out his hand with a gold chain. D'is yourze? He asked. The jumper was elated to be reunited with his jewelry. Frency just mumbled something like "Don weer diz sheet to jump". Wow! A frigging necklace from 5 or 6 grand. Wow! BSBD Frenchy

*sigh* - BSBD.

Send me the info and I'll forward it to him.

We get those??? For free??? I love my job even more, now! Thanks for posting that Nick. Everyone involved did a commendable job. I too, loved the "me and the good lord" line.

Mad Props!

That's not what I have written down Here's the exit shot. HW Appears to be Norm Kent flying camera.

Crap! Guess we better bring Wilkey out of retirement to keep an eye on you. Just kidding. Nice job!

We had that at Palatka for years. The Georgia Pacific paper mill. Too bad it smelled like ASS!

I saw that, too. First reaction was "CRAP, now I'm gonna have to wear one of those blue corduroy jackets!"

BSBD Rickerby. Wow? Natural causes? Who'd a thunk it? ht

Thanks for the refresher. I've got lots of time working PT-6 engines, but it's been a looooong time. Nice to get a recurrency lesson occasionally.

You rang??? I am attempting to make myself available to the folks in DC who will have to answer the NTSB recommendations. Don't know if I'll have any luck, but I feel that we should have ASI's who know the sport involved in the regulatory and surveillance process. Anyone should feel free to PM me with input/ comments/ concerns. If it's too long to type just give me a phone number and I'll call you. I'm with the FAA and I'm here to help

and maybe even "Ghost Riders". These are FAA Inspectors that pose as paying customers just so they can check things out incogneto Ummm...really?

I can't wait for the part where they beat me up for lack of oversight.

The live webcast is about to start http://www.capitolconnection.gmu.edu/ntsb/live/ntsblive-cc.htm

Agreed. Turning and trying to get to clear air is/ should be instinctive. Had the same experience many years ago. Saw my opposite in the 4 way pull in place, knew from his expression we were screwed. But still instinctively turned 180 degrees right. Pulled in place once I saw my proximity to the planet. Saddled out at 700ish and watched a team mate tracking below me. He had a very short ride. We all opened between 1000 and 500, all on our mains. Good thing we were jumping F-111, "low performance" stuff.

My favorite was during the women's indoor volleyball. One of the players had just taken a pretty hard spike to the head. The commentators were explaining that in recent years the air pressure in the ball has been lowered in an effort to reduce injuries. One of the announcers says "She should be happy that she's not playing with some of the balls I've played with". Indeed.

thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! Really, beautiful!