rapper4mpi

This quote appeared in a weekly DZ newsletter: "So... there I was, beautiful Saturday, getting all geared up for my fourth jump, and someone runs into the hangar yelling "HOLY S**T!!!!! Frankenotter just groud looped!!!" Picture below... The landing gear snapped on the left side on landing. All is fine, though. It should be repaired and flying back to CSS today. More importantly, noone got hurt. Mario is an AWESOME pilot for saving it from more extensive damage.... Anyway, thought I would pass this along since I hadn't seen it anywhere. -Rap

I have well over 300 jumps on my Sabre 170 manufactered in 1999. After refining my packing, testing all variables and talking to as many people as possible I finally requested a larger slider for my canopy from PD. My original slider measured 23 x 31 inches. I called PD and asked them about getting a larger slider. They were so easy to work with and continue to have incredible customer service. Within 2 weeks I had a larger slider 26 x 31" and this has solved my problems. I can actually watch the canopy open, and the speed is quite comfortable. I've tested it during hop-n-pops, and barely out of a track deployments. With almost 100 jumps with the new slider I've had no problems. Any canopy from PD is worth buying, knowing they stand behind their product. -Rapper

I'm an instructor at a S/L dropzone. It is not uncommon for students to pull unstable on their 3 second delay. In fact, it can be HARDER for them to pull stable because they don't have the time and relative wind to really help their arch. Your biggest hurdle has been your inability to stay current, not your lack of skill. It is so crucial to stay current in those beginning 50 jumps or so. My suggestion would be to really give yourself a weekend where you concentrate on your exits and make as many jumps as possible. As long as you are being safe and have good judgement, you'll be fine. Good luck! -Rap

Where can I find the results OR what were they? Thanks a million. -Rap

Results posted here: http://www.ranchskydive.com/pondswoop/index.htm -Rap

Results posted here: http://www.ranchskydive.com/pondswoop/index.htm -Rap

All I know now is Clint Clawson 1st, Brett Willard 2nd and Andy Ferrington 3rd. -Rap

All I know now is Clint Clawson 1st, Brett Willard 2nd and Andy Ferrington 3rd. -Rap

Does anyone know of, or know where I can get the results from the Pond Swooping Nationals? The ranch website is not updated. Anyway, thanks in advance! -Rap

Does anyone know of, or know where I can get the results from the Pond Swooping Nationals? The ranch website is not updated. Anyway, thanks in advance! -Rap

I was there from the first Sunday until the following Friday. The dropzone was amazing, fun things to do everynight. It has to be the most comfortable DZ IO had ever been to. On the freeflying front, they comepleted a 20 way head-down on the first attempt, but didn't hold it long enough for the record. There were also several 2 point 10-ways going on. The planes were fast, the skies were safe, and everyone was so friendly. I never had to leave the DZ all week. The weather was incredible and on the first day when it was too hot for this Northeasterner, I sat in the lake-sized pond most of the day! I will be back next year for sure. -Rap

Abreviated results are at www.redbullwingsoverchicago.com. Mike Swanson came in 5th under the Big Air Sportz yet-to-be-named crossbraced-airlocked canopy. He was the only competitor that did not get wet after all 6 rounds. Except when Dave Brown threw him in. The competition actaually went pretty smoothly and on Saturday and Sunday the weather was great! Let me know if you want to know more. -Rap

If you are truly interested. Contact someone at the Freefly Training Center. The coaches can be reched at www.freeflytrainingcenter.com Although I would advise against it at this point, this is a good place tos tart so you can be safe. Jumping with Space balls is a lot of fun. -Rap

I recently saw vintage footage from 1982 od Roger Nelson and his 10-way speed star team doing sit-flying, very cool! -Rap

THanks for all the info. See you all in a few days! -Rap

So folks, heading from Vermont to Skydive Chicago on Friday. For those that have jumped there or locals, what advice can you give me in regards to: What to bring, tips on how things work there, etc... Any info would be appreciated! -Rap

I'll be there, driving all the way from Vermont, then heading down to Summerfest. Keep in mind though, those times are approximates. With the crazy winds coming off the lake, the swooping could be much later. -Rap

Yeah camping is free. They will also have nightly events, like bands, film festival, DJs, etc... I see Summerfest as the more relaxed alternative to the WFFC, but both should be fun! -Rap

I agree, this event it going to be amazing to watch, plus I've never been to Chicago! The cool part is that they are swooping over water onto a small barge, should be interesting! -Rap

I just go off the phone with Skydive Chicago manifest. They said registration was $25.00 regardless of when you show up, and that jumps are $18 for the otters, but didn't know about the DC-3 or Helicopter. Hmmmm, has anyone heard any different? Thanks. -Rap

Is anyone planning on checking this out at all? I know it is during the beginning of Summerfest and WFFC, but it should be quite a show. All the top factory pilots. Cross-braced airlocked canopies, and an incredible show. Let me know. -Rap p.s. check out the site below. http://www.redbullwingsoverchicago.com/

Here's in interesting inside scoop on this second article. Roger invited the newspaper to his DZ after the first article surfaced last week. He met witha reporter, showed them around and gave them the facts, about his DZ, about his past (which the first article had many inaccuracies in), and about the accidents. What happens, the paper screws him again. Roger tried acknowledging the first story with facts and understanding (which in the PR world is the right thing to do) but the reporters put another spin on it and could ahve possible suceeded in damaging his business. I would not be surprised to see a lawsuit for slander, which could of course be very hard to win, but this is pretty bad. I feel bad for Roger, and I'm sure he was totallu unprepared for this, but should seek expert help at this point in dealing with the media. I wish him luck. -Rap

The only thing that i don't like is that the risers do not come with toggle keepers that cover the ends of the toggles. Even on the newests Odysseys the toggles "poke" through. This is a problem if you plan on using soft links and have a toggle fire. If you ask for the mod, however, they will make them fully covered for you. I don't expect to see them standard for another 6 months or so. -Rap

Yeah, I agree, I like to see the smiles of my friends. -Rap

I thought you left? Glad to see you back! :) -Rap