argon

Well, for me NO. April 24 tandem after 20 year layoff-fractured tailbone compression fracture L1 (30%) and very slight compression L2. I was a passenger. 20years earlier. 15 second delay under round T10 and belly mounted reserve-landed in orchard,good PLF but got stung by a bunch of bees.I'm still going to try later this year or maybe a trip to florida this winter and try again!!! *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

You sir are an inspiration. A true class act. Many of your posts have been enlightening to me. Hope you heal well and wish you the best. A true pioneer-period,many alleged "skygods" that talk their shit today should pay homage. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I got ramp checked in my Pitts S2A at Morristown,New Jersey airport in 1987. They checked my emergency parachute and then one in the passenger seat. As well as my personal documents and aircraft paperwork. He was actually quite shitty until he found out that I was a Police officer and then he wanted to sidestep his piss poor attitude.I have since been checked over 5 times at various airports throughout the country. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I had a burst fracture of L1 in 2000. I had L1 replaced with a cage, and a fusion from T12-L2. I was jumping again around 9 months later, with very minimal soreness and no loss of motion. I did suffer loss of feeling in some areas around my hips, as a result, and that feeling has not returned, but the inconvenience is very minor. A word of warning: reinjuring such a fusion is far worse than the original injury. I snivelled in around two and a half years later, and the fusion shifted, fracturing T11 and L3. At that time, the doctor told me that had I never been injured before, I likely would have sustained only minor injury from that accident. The second accident has left me with significant daily pain and minor loss of motion. Bottom line: once there's metal in your back, you are forever more susceptible to re-injury in a similar manner, so be careful. I have 12 screws/bolts and twenty inches of titanium rod as a result of a L4-S1 Fusion(Non-skydiving related.) as well as extensive bone grafts removed from my left ileac crest-which still hurts like hell when its damp out this has resulted in chronic painand a loss of flexibility. On April 24, I suffered a fractured tailbone and a subtantial compression fracture of L1 due to a drilled in tandem landing (I was the passenger). Surprisingly the fusion remained perfect,the neurosurgeon that did the surgery and advised me on the other injuries stated the fusion is VERY unlikely to ever be damaged due to the substantial bone growth around the hardware. This healing took 5 years and I will never be pain free. After 4 months the L1 fracture has not completely healed yet but there are no neuro problems and none expected. Each case is different but the fact that metal exists in your back isn't the problem. It is very common to fracture a lumbar vertabrae when large axial loads are placed on them regardless of the previous injury. 9 months is absolutely not enough time for any fusion,instrumented or not to fully heal.In fact when I got checked after 2 years the fusion was still growing more bone.I am not a physician but my wife is an advanced practice orthropaedic nurse and most family friends are ortho surgeons. Bottom line-its still up to you to take the risks.Technically when a bone is fractured and is COMPLETELY healed it is stronger than the original bone. Also in my case a titanium cage would not support the previous injury and pedicle screws were used as well as a triple laminectomy. In 9 months I still could not walk and still wore a torso brace and an electronic bone stimulator. I still want to jump-I guess I'm fucking nuts but there is something about this sport....I think there are situations that the best of athletes would be injured with a high enough vertical load. At this point in my life I appreciate everyday and could only hope for a chance to really learn and train seriously to be a safe and active jumper. Those with the "go big or go home attitude" need a few weeks pissing in a tube and full or drains to realize that ground is far too hard to fuck with. Gravity sucks. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Doesn't help, even went out asnd dropped a ton of cash on a new mattress-tempurpedic-nice but I still wake up in the middle of the night and go to go stretch out on a 75 cm exercise ball to relieve the pressure,its bad-having gone through the spinal fusion- a 7 hour surgery-tons of rehab-forced retirement from my law enforcement job-pain management etc. spinal injuries are rough. I hope I can eventually get back.This latest injury has really been persistent and just doesn't want to heal- I guess that what happens after you turn 40. ;) *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I suffered a compression fracture of L1 on April 24 as well as a fractured tailbone. L1 is still not fully healed. Prior to that I suffered a previous spinal injury-not skydiving related that ultimately took a L4-S1 instrumented fusion to repair. It took me over 5 years to return to a level of fitness that I would have attempted to jump or do anything real athletic for that matter. For what its worth the fused area was not injured by the last incident. My latest injury was on my first tandem jump after a 20 year layoff of the sport. I really want to skydive,but right now I wish I could sleep through the night without back pain. Good luck. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Do you really think that without all those FJ students and "only one time" tandems -all those turbine jump planes,first class DZ's with amenities would exist? Fun jumpers couldn't possibly pay the freight.Hollywood is fantasy land-ever been there? I think the more the merrier! Anything to make the sport more "mainstream" benefits everyone in the sport. Its come a long way since the 70's-that's for sure. Did you ever see the "buddy jump" done with Johnny Carson on the tonight show about 30 years ago-Bob Sinclair(I think). *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Regardless of your politics,my views are quite obvious and I agree this isn't the forum. But when a half assed political or rating oriented stunt causes a Knee jerk reaction-which we all have seen-by both sides of the aisle-affects the status of general aviation it affects the skydiving community. If every load has to file IFR or is handcuffed by more regulations you can kiss this sport good bye as we know it.Remember the state of airspace immediately post 911. And for those that think this is good journalism-try pulling that shit for yuks on your own.--can you say Federal Grand Jury. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I would expect nothing less from NBC. Left wing assholes that never report anything unless it has to do with bashing George W. Bush. They have always been anti-general aviation and anti-law enforcement.Unfortunately the little charade pulls valuable resources from real threats. There are enemies among us,and anyone thinking that the increased security posture is purely political are certainly entitled to their opinions.General aviation is something we shouldn't take for granted and any one of us that spends times at airports should always be alert- giving politicians a reason to limit general aviation activity affects us all.PS Tom-you aren't going out on a limb- losing the ride up,really takes the fun out of the ride down. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

If you can afford two kids and a mortgage. If you can afford to pursue any activity using discretionary income,especially ANY sport which injuries can and do happen then it should occur to you that health insurance is VITAL to your family.The fact that even routine illness has the potential to bankrupt you without a healthcare plan points out the fact that Joan should have rethought alot of things. Skydiving is the tip of the iceberg. Asking for donations is indeed noble-but as other posts have already stated there is simply not enough information available. I can only wish her a speedy and successful recovery. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Groups like the American Motorcyclist Association as well as the AOPA lobby hard about these hidden clauses. A large part of the population are morbidly obese and then of course there are the cigarette smokers-where does the bullshit stop-that's the best thing about "mainstreaming" so called extreme sports-the more people know the more people realize the risks are very calculated and and the sports are practiced by people that really are concerned about living. But to answer your question-I can't see how you can do anything without health insurance. Just a routine illness,such as a kidney stone,appendicitis or a home accident could bankrupt alot of people. GOT TO HAVE IT. PS: Don't you just hate it when these fat bastards get HANDICAPPED permits so they don't have to exercise their fat asses at the mall? *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

First and foremost-best wishes and thoughts for a full recovery. Next,getting "indignant" won't accomplish anything. If you are still receiving chemotherapy agents you can rest assured you will NOT get any medical.I went through a substantial spinal fusion surgery(not skydiving related)in 1998. Although fully healed I was denied a 2nd class medical until certification from my nuerosurgeon as well as other consultations were received by my AME as well as Oklahoma City."Dumbed-it down",well,this is a PUBLIC forum and signing the form prior to your exam mentions alot of legal shit about not telling all the facts-blah,blah,blah-enough said about that OK?Worry about getting well-this is probably a battle you will not win. Once you are in remission and no longer on any meds you'll still have to jump through a few hoops but I think you'll have success. For know-just get well. Again best wishes. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Don't quit-just stop for a while. The sky will be there long after we are all gone. As far as expensive hobbies go-skydiving is the shit-absolutely the most bang for the buck. Relax,take a deep breath and realize money is always a problem until you get a good steady job. As long as you are healthy,you are ahead of the game. I waited 20 years!!! Then I took a tandem jump--unfortunately the landing resulted in a broken back for me--I'll be back maybe not this year but ASAP. DON'T QUIT-you'll hate yourself for a long time. Blue skies. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Sorry my thread got a little out of hand but believe me,I really do learn alot here. Compared to most of you I have no experience-flying parachutes. But I do have alot of flying time in alot of airplanes with very high wing loadings. Obviously the option to "go around" is not there when your approach has gone to shit under canopy ! But I think I have alittle more insight on the concept than my experience level would suggest without knowing my background.--Its NO shit, I watch you guys under high wing loading with absolute awe. To me it is some bigtime crazy,high skill shit. But to be honest I didn't really expect to get so fucked up on a tandem jump. I look at it as a good thing because I think alot of people think they can't get hurt doing tandems or jumping student gear.But to be honest in this case I had a feeling things were going to end up the way they did and I had no power whatsover to change the result. I appreciate the opinions-I want to learn as much as I can from enayone who is willing to help. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

in case anyone else is still confused by this, in anything but high winds, think of it this way.. if if you arrest the horizontal speed first, then you have no speed and therefore no lift and cannot arrest the vertical speed. That's makes sense-watching other tandems that day I could hear the tandem master telling the passenger-"Not yet,Not yet allowing the canopy to gain forward speed prior to them telling the passenger to flair.If the winds are gusting,don't you want extra horizontal speed so if the gust decreases and your headwind decreases-can't that extra drive make your flair more effective and keep the vertical component under control? *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

No shit!! Just think how many airline Captains are out there depressed and won't take meds or get help because they are worried about losing their medical.As far as the previous posts-yep,those damn computers and paper trails can get you if they were to check. Privacy laws,patient doctor priveledge usually do keep you safe--question is-do you feel lucky? *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

funny... when i start to flare my stop vertically but still ahve horizontal speed.. when i continue my flare that's when the horizontal speed is abated.. I have a question for experienced canopy pilots. After flying a downwind,left turn onto base and another left turn onto final-which was a very gently flat toggle turn-now heading into a very gusty wind is it safer to fly the canopy with some brakes or would it be prudent to allow the toggles up and try to get some forward drive? Would this forward speed be able to be converted to lift and make the final flare more effective arresting the vertical descent. I remember distinctly being in about half brakes with little forward drive-no flare whatsoever and a very sudden drop? This is something that I would prefer to avoid when the decisions are mine. All I know in airplane terms there are times you don't want to be low and slow. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I don't know, I had set aside the time and the money to get my "A" this summer at the least. Broken tailbone and smashed L1 as a result of a tandem jump landing screwed me this summer. I wish I could have had the opportunity to burn out. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I was told 17 gusting to 22. Typical blustery New York spring day. I've got 1500+ hours in alot of complex aircraft-I'm not a canopy pilot and was NOT flying the canopy but was holding the toggles waiting for the tandem masters commands. He never said anything-- when we turned final we had very little penetration into the wind toward the target.Kinda hovering over the peas,I was looking forward and not toward the ground. The wind was very gusty in the pattern. I was told we just dropped in with very little at all of a flair. I hit heels first,then my ass at that time the tandem master mashed me flat with his stomach and chest to put it mildly.After about 15 minutes,ambulance dudes etc- I chose to stand up-probably not too smart but shit happens. I learned alot though. No animosity toward the tandem master though-just disappointed that the bone isn't healed and time is the only cure-you just don't realize how fuckin' hard that ground is until yu hit it too fast...oooppps 1130-time for a pill.... *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

23 years as a pilot,around aviation since childhood-I've been a member of USPA for 15 years,other jobs,serious medical problems all have resulted in not being able to do what I really wanted to do-jump. Never meant to mislead anyone and certaintly don't offer ANY advice. One thing is for sure-things were alot different of my first jump then they are now. All I know is I NEVER hit the ground as hard as I did in April--and that was under surplus round T10 canopies and I was doing the steering. Just remember enjoy it while you can. Shit happens.There may be a day when you can't jump anymore but you'll still may want to follow the sport and even participate in a different way--does that mean you still can't say you are involved?Believe me,the time was there,the money was there and I had a goal to get at least my A license. I see you made about 100 jumps in 1 year-be glad you are healthy enough to do it. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Did a bunch of static line and hop and pops 20 years ago.Took a long break,now I have the time and at least enough money to jump. In april I made a Tandem jump on a "windy" day. Jump was fantastic,great time during freefall, nice opening and canopy ride. The tandem master "handled" the landing. Result: able to walk away(barely). Fractured tailbone and 30%+ compression fracture L-1. Bone still not healed. Next time I think I want to do AFF. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

The FAA medical branch have issued waivers for all kind of bizarre shit. They call it "a waiver of demonstrated ability". Parapalegics,one eye pilots-but when you admit to using ANY antidepressant drug of any kind you are DISQUALIFIED-period. Even though the lack of side effects of the SSRI drug,zoloft,paxil and prozac etc. have been known and documented for years. The applications are disclosure documents-I'm sure plenty lie about it and genereally the only way the FAA finds about about it is after the toxicology comes back from your autopsy. They make you jump through even more hoops to get your second class(every year) and even more for your first class(every 6 months)required for Airline Transport Pilot certificate(ATP). *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Here's my story-I waited 20 years from my last jump,now I'm retired,I have the time and the money to really get my shit together. On April 24th, I made a tandem jump on a very windy day. Well, after a phenominal jump my tandem master flew the approach and we basically landed like a bag of cannon balls into the peas. My first statement was , I just broke my fuckin' back-ambulance dudes,etc were there but once I realized I could feel my feet I declined the ambulance ride and drove home.Results:30-40% compression fracture of L-1 and a tailbone fracture. Almost12 weeks later the bones are healing but the summer is shot. MY advice-don't fuck around go get checked and don't even think about jumping again until you are 100%. That sky is going to be there long after all of us are gone. Just my 2 cents OK, I've already had a non skydiving related L4-S1 instrumented spinal fusion. DON"T IGNORE BACK PAIN. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Just relax, the sensation is indescribable. NOT A ROLLERCOASTER-LOSE YOUR STOMACH thing OK. Just follow the tandem masters instructions and enjoy. Actually I think 10K is too LOW--once you experience the freefall you'll wish it would last longer. Cheers. Blue Skies. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

at 17,lets say you get hurt-they will be responsible for the medical bills. At 18,you'll be responsible.If they don't have health insurance one little inury,surgery and a hospital stay could possibly bankrupt them. You waited this long-just wait until your birthday then give yourself a nice birthday present. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL