Ronald

Is there any information on the influence of volcanic ash in VFR parachuting flights? Mount St. Helens was some time ago, how did this affect the (turbine?) planes in the region, was there an altitude limitation and for how long? In Europe there seems to be a lot of different rulings now.

As IPC delegate from the Netherlands I can give the following comment. The Netherlands submitted an agenda item regarding a possible inclusion of wingsuit records within the IPC structure. At present only formation records with grips are recognized. The wingsuit formations in the US, and elsewhere, as such can not be recognized by the IPC. Assuming the US was making a formal proposal for wingsuit records the Netherlands put forward an agenda item with a possible alternative to the US proposal. After discussion here at the IPC meeting in Lausanne it was agreed to propose to start a working group. The initial focus is on no-contact wingsuit formations, and on how to judge them best. Not more. The proposed people in this working group are Larry Bagley (USA), Jackie Brewer (South Africa), me Ronald Overdijk (NED), Taya Weiss (USA) and Jarno Cordia (NED) with the possible addition of a sixth person. Taya and Jarno will act as advisors. The proposal has to be ratified by the IPC plenary meeting. Expected time for that is tomorrow sunday 31st. Ronald Overdijk IPC Delegate The Netherlands

AFAIK, it is EU regulations that ATC people are personally liable for accidents due to their work. For some years now. The problem is that in Holland Airspace Class A is so low compared to other countries that skydiving planes, which fly there on a " controlled VFR basis" (which I think is comparable to class B). That means that a skydiving plane is mostly flying VFR, and sometimes getting directions. Then, if an accident happens between an IFR (airliner) and an VFR skydiving plane, the controller is liable, while they can not control is as much as they want. As the juridical department of Dutch CAA does not like to be liable at all, from their point of view it makes perfect sense to get rid of us.... Ronald

Sony HDR-CX6E (HD Camcorder): This one does not have a firewire connection any more. So, if more camera's don't have that any more the IPC has to come up with acceptable wording, guaranteeing quality and format. Ronald

Check out www.outdoorgames.ch. This weekend, base jumping is there. Of course, it is always there, but now with a competitive element of pictures. Ronald

I was not there. But I have been to quite a few base events. If you are invited, you listen and accept the conditions. If you have a comment, you voice that politely to the base contact / responsible person. You do not voice your comment in an inapropiate way to the people who allowed the jumping in the first place. Period. Ronald

It is not that the german base group is closed, it is that there are so many base jumpers around it is impossible to invite everyone. Ronald

Ask Gary

Yes, it was extremely nice indeed! A big, big thanks to Hannes & Ecki, and Ute + ground crew, plus of course, the very nice people which gave the necessairy permits. Ronald

Have you done this on a slider down jump? It seems like too slow of a rotation for slider down. Tom, not myself. But I have seen people doing it (live, and on video). It can be slow, so if you want to be sure, practice on a slider-up jump is well advised. Ronald

I have seen Martins video "pull higher" quite a few times, and so this one in Ukraine. IMHO, in both video's the mistakes are made right on exit, leaving head down / trying to initiate the frontgainer using the momentum of the exit itself. (yes, I did that myself too). Now, I try to exit looking at the horizon, and right after leaving ground/concrete/steel, initiate the front movement, curling up. That only gives you your own body momentum. After one or more loops (and yes, they are not so fast as the other method) you stretch out when you are head-up. Much better for me. With the extra momentum you get the other way, it is very hard indeed to stop your gainer, especially when you try to stop after the head-up orientation. Most of the times you end up doing one more flip.... And that in combination with this underhung wall. Ronald

Send me a PM, there might be some possibilities. Ronald

1. make a SOLID grip on PC 2. extract pc to full arm stretch palm up (PC above hand). Add: keep your arm fully stretched up to throwing the PC 3. release, rotate arm counter clockwise. A very experienced swedish jumper thaught me that, for windy conditions. If you keep your arm stretched with a tight bridle changes that your bridle ends up caught on your body somewhere are much less then doing BOC. IMHO, I think it a sensible advise. Ronald

Mmmm, 1 pilot died so a little bit less of smileys would be nice.... Ronald

Mmmm, on the west coast, the beaches on Pulau Pangkor are not to bad either. Not very touristy, and nice and cheap bungalows. On the East, the Pulau Perhentians are the best. Weather wise, the monsoon in august is on the west coast.... Ronald

In Malaysia, drugs can be penalized up to death. Anyone? Ronald

I jumped the german (and belgian 105 meter version (from the top). I jumped them with the blades turning. Actually, they make a lot of noise, and are allmost more impressive than the jump. Also, if they turn (fast), the whole structure moves from left to right. Of course, I jumped them with the wind in my back, so the blade behind me. The construction (being a pylon or a construction) is between you and the blades. So in case of a 180, you have to evade the pylon/construction and the blades. That will make you work harder to achieve that result Of course, if they pylon is that high, you can make a nice delay and make sure you are open at the lower height of the blades. My 2 cents, Ronald

The quality of the jumps is such, you could almost suspect the people who posted it, did it in order to explain the concept of "irony". Ronald

Just got news about the Russian Xtreme Project. Valery Rozov climbed and wingsuit jumped one of the Torres del Paine (southern Chile) monoliths. He will be back in Moscow march 4th, so I assume we will hear & see more after that date. Anyway, I take my hat of (again). Ronald

If you succeed in emptying the blue hole diving spot, yes there is Ronald

Be warned though. A german base jumper on his 10th jump flew into an A close by some days ago and had to be rescued by the firefighters. So, likely to be a little hot. Ronald

I say that because that is a (rare indeed) fact, and for sure that is the way police, law enforcers and law makers see it. We can stick our head in the sand but that is not going to help. Ronald

Just sent this one through the senators website. For all discussion going on about reacting yes or no, I chose to react. Ronald --------------- Dear Senator Golden, It is with sadness I recieved information about your bill proposing base jumping to be classified as a felony offense class D. Of course, I do understand base jumping has a percieved air of illegalness around it. Especially as some jumps are made trespassing, or even sometimes endangering people. However, there are to my knowledge current rules as to deal with those breaches of the law. The intended bill will put an innocent sport activity in line with serious sexual offences. I can not help bu think this is shooting with a cannon at a mouse. There are few base jumpers around worldwide, and even less in the USA. Generally, no harm is done and no damage created. We all love this sport and want it to be safe. I personally would like to be it available for my son, if he wants to practise it. I kindly urge you to retract your bill. Respectfully, Ronald Overdijk The Netherlands

Embassies are not supposed to help you in case you are in trouble by your own mistake / behaviour. That might include base. Be warned. Ronald