dgm458

A few randon thoughts from a guy who read the random thoughts of the buzzing anvil: As a disclaimer, I am not a GWB supporter in any fashion, so don't take this as though I am taking up for the guy. Gas prices, good or bad, are not the doing of one man (GWB), but rather the result of actions taken by an entire administration. Politicians depend on money, in the form of "donations," from people like you and me. The problem is people like you and me can only afford to give so much to so many whereas oil and gas companies and their executives can afford to give much more. As a result, their thoughts and wishes are given more consideration than ours. This has multiple effects. Not only will it effect the price at the pump, but also the dependence on oil and gas rather than "alternative fuels." The dramatic increase/decrease in the price of gas is usually associated with the rise/fall in demand of the product. An increase in demand usually comes in the summer months. It's warmer out, daylight hours are longer, people aren't in the house as much and thus use more gasoline. The more gas that is depleted from the pumps, the more trips from the gas truck are required. This results in either overtime for the truck driver and those associated with the distribution and processing of gas or additional hiring, which will result in a necessity for more money either way. We all have to mow our lawns, but how many of us use an electric lawn mower? Wasn't it Los Angeles that outlawed gas powered leaf blowers used by lawn trimming companies? Anvil stated that the price of gas isn't really out of step with inflation, but rather is sort of a correction in price that hasn't settled yet. The working people of America would be better prepared for the price of gas if it wasn't so dramatic of an increase. Many people in the workforce receive Cost Of Living Adjustments to their salaries, which is primarily based on the Consumer Pricing Index released in the Wall Street Journal. Some pension plans even give COLA's to retirees. These wage increases/decreases are based on inflation that has occured during a specific time span, one month for some COLA's and six months for others. My COLA recently had a decrease because of the "relaxation of energy prices." In short, today's salaries are not adjusted to these gas prices so therefore we are not prepared for them. To say that they are simply playing catch up is true to only a certain extent. A loaf of bread in the 60's was less than ten cents and now it's a dollar a loaf, a 1000% increase. My dad said he paid less than 17 cents for a gallon of gas in 63 when Kennedy died, but now we're paying $1.90, a 1000% increase also. However, my salary is adjusted to me paying $1.55 a gallon. Congress has the ability to take steps to better control our dependence on gas and oil and to better control the price of both. We have the technology to produce engines that get 30, 40, even 50 miles per gallon with conventional gasoline. California passed SMOG legislation, so why doesn't Congress pass legislation with fuel economy requirements? We don't do this because of where the money comes from. Too many people would lose jobs if we steered away from our dependence on gas and oil, with no guarantee of re-employment in the gaining industry. A majority of these people would be unable or would find severe obstacles in finding employment in another industry because their industry is all that they have ever known. That's just the blue collar workers. White collar workers have much more clout now than ever before. 20 years ago, over 60% of all revenue was paid back to the blue collar worker and only 12% to the upper exec's. Now, less than 24% is paid back to the blue collar workers and more than 43% is given to the exec's. Just my .02....I could go on and on. As a result of higher gas prices, I have found my self hitching a ride to work with my brother from time to time. We work together and his rice burner get much better gas mileage than my big truck. david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

Keep saying this in your head when jumping..it helped me. Pelvis down...pelvis down...pelvis down. As for your legs, click your heels together to bring your legs to a symmetrical position. It really does work Dorothy. david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I am also a "newbie" considering doing some packing to help support my addiction. I've learned to ask these questions and made some of these observations. Different brands of containers close differently. Some go bottom, left, right, top. Some want bottom, right, left, top. I've seen one that closes top first. Ask the owner of the rig about the closing order of the flaps if you are even the slightest bit unsure. When you S fold the canopy, do you fold it into the bag or outside of the bag and then insert? F111 canopies are easy to fold into the bag, thus making it much easier in my opinion. ZP mains are a bit tougher to do this with, depending on the size of the canopy compared to the size of the bag. I saw one (bag) this past weekend that my boxers wouldn't go into. How he got a ZP in there I'll never know. Some people likes their lines at the bottom of the container, some like them up against their backside. Ask. david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

Just my two cents... OSC was a student dz. Heard of fun jumpers being "put on hold" unless you are there first thing in the morning. If you jump at OSC, call and see what time they start flying. Used to be at 9 am. I haven't jumped there in 9 months and they have undergone some changes, I've heard for the better. Might try to PM tonyhays for info...he's a regular there. There are two dz's in Tulsa..Skydive Airtight and Skydive Tulsa. SD Tulsa is actually south of Claremore and I believe they only go to 10K. Price ? Airtight goes to at least 12.5k for $20 and is fun jumper friendly. Actually located in Skiatook. Two other dz's in OK depending on your location. SD Hinton is majority fun jumpers, located 45 miles west of Oklahoma City on I-40, exit 101 . We fly a C-205 and 172 (usually the 205). We are sometimes slow, depending on how many show up. On the 5th a lot of regulars are expected for a b-day party. Big cook out going on. Weather permitting, should be plenty of jumping that day. Rain is forcasted for OK on the 5th as of right now. We usually start flying between 10 and 11 am. $15 up to 5k, $20 up to 10k. SD Pegasus is in Chickasha, about 30 miles SW of Oklahoma City on the turnpike (toll road). Never jumped there...high tension powerlines right btween the runway and landing area. Private dz. Price and altitude? In a nutshell, there it is. david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I caught this guy breaking in to my van when I was fishing about 9 years ago. I was 18 or 19 at the time. I had heard a car pull up by where the cars were parked, but never pull off. There were about 12 of us at the river fishing and I had set up near the vehicles. I decided to go up and take a look and I'll be damned if this guys ass isn't sticking out the back of the van window. I holler at my wife (g/f then) to go get everybody and I take off and tackle the m/f. We're wrestling on the ground in the sand, exchanging blows, going back and forth. I was wearing denim blue jean shorts and this guy grabbed the knot where the denim sews together under the crotch thinking he had my nuts, saying "Whaddya gonna do now bitch?" I headbutted the guy in the face and politely reminded him that I was not his bitch. About that time everyone else showed up, including Ox, a bar bouncer that I knew that tagged along for the party portion of the fishing trip. Every time this kid spoke, Ox punched him in the mouth. Found out he had two friends asleep in his car waiting on him. He had already broken into three of our vehicles by the time I found him. We had him hogtied when the cops showed up and his two friends in tears. The cops didn't even cuff him...they simply picked him up by the ropes and hauled his ass to jail as is. What a night. I had to go to the ER because the moron bit my hand pretty bad. That's OK...Ox gave him one helluva dentistry bill. david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

When I do hop n pops, I exit with one foot on the wheel of the cessna, holding the strut, and just jump off. I deploy immediately, belly still somewhat facing forward. It can cause a snivel. I was told to not let my slider stick out very much when packing if I am planning a hop n pop. I'm also curious as to what qualifies as a half jump. Tandem? Base? david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

First off, I have no plans of being an immediate camera flyer (have less than 50 jumps) and I know very little about photography. We did some 7K' hop n pops at sunset yesterday and were discussing some camera/filming options that would be needed to get some nice sunset pics. What type of camera(s) would work for good sunset pics taken while under canopy? I've seen some pics that catch a good skyline, but nothing can be seen on the ground because of the lack of light. Does the camera have to be digital? Can a regular 35mm camera be used? If so, what speed of film should be used? What about digital video cameras...can you print still pics from them? How? Thanks for any info. david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I've never been a great big fan of the canopy ride, always wanting to pull low and get down quick. That said, yesterday a buddy and me did a sunset hop n pop from 7K and it was great. We would have went higher, but the sun was already down and we had a new pilot that climbs sssslllloooowww. I had a camera attached to me and snapped some photos of the sunset that didn't turn out too bad. I didn't even unstow my breaks until 3500 it was so awesome. david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I am a new jumper, freshly off of student status, passing my A test dive last weekend. My gear purchases have been slow, tuned to my needs as a new skydiver and also based on what I can use for free from the dz and other jumpers that offer. Aside from my log book, my first purchase was a new Pro-Tec helmet from Para-Gear. I think their prices are normally kind of high, but they were running a special price at the time and all of the helmets at the dz were nasty and flat out stank. Yes, I know I misspelled that. My next purchase was a jumpsuit, used. I paid $50 for it, used with no booties. It has no white, so my grass stains and dirt stains don't show up as well. My next purchase was used gear from Sunshine Factory. I found a steal on used gear ($1200) and couldn't pass it up. It came with an AAD with 4 yrs left. At $20 for gear rental per jump, I'll save a considerable amount. After I purchased the gear, I also bought new main risers and a new pilot chute/bridle/bag assembly. Just days ago I purchased an altimeter, FT-50, from ebay. I think I paid $100. I also liked that the yellow band extended to 4k. My next purchases, in order of preference: gear bag, Z1 Helmet, and main canopy. If anyone has any of these and are looking to sell, PM me. Canopy preferences are a 9-cell, around a 190. I already own gloves, shoes, socks, and underwear. I did have to buy a new pair of underwear after a hard opening ripped a pair. dgm -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I chose other because I think it depends on the type and severity of the injury. I had a hard landing about 8 jumps back and cracked my tailbone (hairline crack). It hurt like a mo' everytime I sat down or leaned back, but I was jumping two weeks later after successful dirt diving. It never hurt when jumping and I've made damn sure my landings were all good with lots of pre-planning and setup. dgm -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

Hey Junkie, It took me about 12 jumps to "master" my arch. I say that like I'm a pro....only 30 jumps now. When hanging from the strut, after release make a point to keep looking at the plane as you are falling away. That will help with the arch. Also, don't kick your legs. A lot of students look like they're trying to swim. Any leg movement can flip you over in a heartbeat. Livin life, dgm -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

Stickers are found mostly in rural, non-urban areas. Otherwise known as grass burrs or sand burrs. There are even bigger stickers called goatheads that grow on a flat, ground based vine. Basically, it's a form of grass that produces a "seedling" that when touched, "sticks" to your skin or articles of clothing. They have razor sharp points that can break off underneath your skin and cause infections. I read in a medical journal or magazine once about a woman who had to have the tip of her finger removed because of the infection caused by the sticker tip lodging into her finger and not seeking medical attention. -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

The buddy also got me into the sport, which is why I wasn't so hesitant to go hiking through muddy, horse shit filled fields to find the freebag. Found it next to a pond in an alfalfa field next to the dz, probably 300 yards from the lz. As thanks, he bought our dinner. What a guy ! david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I recently bought a Racer, made in '98. It's has velcro on it, which I thought would be a problem. I haven't gotten to jump it yet (still a student and has no RSL), but my brother took it free flying today and it worked great. I cleaned the velcro, taking all the fuzz out, for a better lock down and plan to keep it that way, replacing it when needed. I also plan to have a rigger install some small walrus teeth on it for a tighter pack. I think it fits like a glove, and I'm 6'1", 180 lbs. my .02 david -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I am also a "newbie" who happens to jump at Skydive Hinton. I live in Tuttle so it's almost an hour drive for myself. Coming from Durant, you're looking at about 3 hours. I went thru the IAD program, starting at another dz and moving to Hinton in the middle of my training. I've got about 4 jumps remaining until I get my A license. My brother just got his. I'll tell you the pros and cons of Hinton. The people are friendly, laidback, and very helpful. My training instructors, Jeff and Marcus, are always willing to answer questions and dirt dive. Marcus, my brother Mike, Cody Guest (runs the DZ) and myself all dirtdived for about five hours one day waiting on the wind. My old dz wouldn't have done that. I believe Marcus was the S & TA for the World FreeFall Convention in Rantoul of '02. Hinton has two planes, C-172 and C-205. We usually fly the 205 but if Marcus is doing a lot of tandems we'll fly both. If our normal pilot isn't there we may also fly the 172. It's a very small DZ that's not so money concious. Some DZ's will only fly if they have a full load. Not Hinton. We've gone up with only two jumpers plenty of times, and usually IAD students go up alone with the instructor. The worst thing about Hinton is the wind. There have been entire days with no jumping due to wind. The area is flat, about 1500 ft above sea level, and the winds can just howl thru those plains. I do not think that Hinton is currently offering AFF training. I do know that the instructors are planning on getting AFF certified this summer. If you want to tandem in Hinton (Marcus is excellent and will give you the ride of your life), just call to set it up. It's by appointment only since Marcus drives in from Amarillo. Marcus did nine tandems a couple of Sunday's ago and I thought those guys were going to pee their pants they were so stoked. Dallas is a much larger and much busier dz. It may also be closer to you. I don't know much about Chickasha except that there are high-tension power lines running between the runway and the lz. But, that doesn't stop most folks because they run a pretty busy static line program from what I hear. I believe the airport is owned and operated by the dz. There is also Oklahoma Skydiving Center in Cushing. They are no longer USPA affiliated, but they run a very large student program. I started there. ----Edited to add prices--- I believe the rates are as follows for Hinton: Tandem $175 IAD School $150 Students jumps $50 each 5-pack $200 (best way to go, buy 4 get 1 free) 20-pack $800 and they will probably knock some off of the school. Gear rental (after graduating student status) $15 Jumps to 5000 $15 Jumps to 10000 $20 I didn't look these up, so they may be off a little. -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

With a grand total of 25 jumps, my wife has been out several times to my new DZ (only an hour from the house), my oldest daughter (13) and a friend of hers came out once to see the "cute guys," and my youngest comes out frequently with me. My wife would like to do a tandem, but doesn't want to pay for it. The only activity my oldest will ever be involved in is the motion of getting up from the couch to answer the phone, and my 8 year old dirt dives all the time. My brother jumps with me (started about the same time), but my parents are skeptical. We lost our sister at a young age and my mom can't keep the "danger" of the sport out of her head, so she worries about losing another I think. She likes to play with photography so she may come out to take pic's some day. Dad will never come. Thinks it's stupid. David

I don't know how many jumps on the main. I only know of one on the reserve. The previous owners name and city are on the reserve so I plan to try to contact him and ask. David -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

Purchased some used gear this past week. It's at the rigger now getting inspected and repacked. What can everyone tell me about the gear itself...not seeking opinion on wingloading, just the gear. Container is a Racer, DOM 1998. Cypress DOM 1996. Main is a Raider 220, DOM 1987. Reserve is Firelite 175, DOM 1993. I weigh 180 lbs. I've been "educated" that the Racer is not a good container for freeflying, but is rather intended for belly to earth type freefall. Suits me fine for now. I just want my own gear to jump and I couldn't afford too much. Got a family, 2 kids, 2 week vacation to Hawaii in July, and house payment starts in June. Money is TIGHT. I know nothing about the canopies other than they are manufactured by Flight Concepts. What is their performance like? Thanks to all...David

Along the same lines, a DZ that isn't a student factory is a good thing. I'm still a student myself and have already seen how this plays a roll. Experienced jumpers getting packed with a load of students so they end of going solo from 10K because all of the others hopped and popped @ 3500. Not my bag. This many students causes the JM's to not be able to keep up. You lose the one on one attention for those who really want to learn. dgm -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

Ditto on the "where do you get a manual/card for the Cypress?" Bought mine used. Can you simply write to the manufacturer to get the info? dgm -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I'll try to add mine about up.. Jump course $130 23 jumps since $1100 Protec helmet $35 Jump suit $50 Used gear $1200 Inspect & repack ~$100 Travel $200 Gifts to wife* $200 Total $3015 *(time spent at dz instead of w/ her) More than I should have spent, but not enough. dgm -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I have seen a 12 year old tandem. It was when I first started...I thought it was weird but I didn't even know what BSR's were. dgm -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

I changed DZ's in the middle of my student status, but I wasn't AFF. I did the IAD. My old DZ seemed to be milking money out of me and only one JM would give one on one attention outside of the plane. My new DZ is great except for when no one shows up to jump. Very small DZ, sometimes only 2 loads going up (not very often). JM's are awesome, all giving special attention to your needs. Went dirt diving for over 6 hours one day with JM while on wind hold. At my old DZ, this was either dinner time or nap time. dgm -------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

According to the jumpers highlighted in the news story, the JM only said "Emergency" or "Prepare for an emergency." The pilot then said "Everyone out." At that point, supposedly the JM exited the plane "in a perfect dive." Again, according to four people with less than four jumps collectively (one can't remember a thing; another was already out of the plane) dgm

The rigs at Cushing are all IAD with Cypress for those who haven't yet understood that. I read something about Static Line...not in use in Cushing. As for the jump course; knowing who gave the course (same guy that gave me my 1st jump course) I have a VERY hard time believing that emergency procedures were never covered, even for possible aircraft failure. I remember them vividly and I took my FJC there just 6 weeks prior to the crash. Each jumper must pass a written test before they are allowed to board the plane. The plane normally sat 6 people, 1 pilot, 1 JM, and 4 others, most of which were usually students. The two in the rear of the plane sat with their backs to the tail; jumper behind pilot faced the rear; first out the door would sit facing the rear with their back up against the panel protecting the dash; JM would be between first jumper and the jumper leaning back against the rear of the plane. Mike Palmer always compensated for weight. If the load had larger jumpers, only four would board other than pilot rather than five. Usually, the largest jumper would sit in the front and exit first. The NTSB prelim reports that the plane entered a flat, counter-clockwise spin, meaning the door is on the outside of the spin. There simply is no way that I can imagine in that particular plane for the JM to get anyone out without first exiting the plane himself, there simply is not enough room. With the door on the outside of the spin, it is possible that the JM didn't even jump, but rather was thrown from the plane. The newspaper article is misinformed along with uninformed. They spoke with at leas two USPA officials, including Chris Needels. You think they would at least get the basic facts correct. On Monday evening on the local CBS affiliate, KWTV-9, a story will air showing interviews with four of the jumpers; the two that went down with the plane, the one that was "sucked" out, and one that remained on the ground awaiting the next load. It also appears biased and misinformed, based simply on the information given from the four people who collectively have less than four jumps. In other related news, immediately following the crash OSC withdrew their USPA membership. Their insurance had also lapsed a week before the crash for non-payment. Rumor has it that Palmer is shopping around for a buyer. At least one other DZ owner has reported that.