rgoetsch

Let's hope that the weather on Thanksgiving will be like it is today- bright blue skies and 56 degrees! Yes Jumptown will be having the thanksgiving boogie-with Turkey dinner at 5 PM on Thanksgiving. I copied this from a note sent out from Gary Pond- club president- "New England jumpers: Here is your chance to get in some plane formation experience. Jumptown will have available two Otters for Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday through Sunday). On the better day(s) we will have discussions on formation techniques. If you are doing a six way, three will leave from each plane. We will use the green light signal for climb out with expected exits 15 seconds later, then the green light will come on again, the next group will climb out and so on (the same pass). Hope to see you there." Stop in and see us. . rg "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Yes Jumptown will be having the thanksgiving boogie-with Turkey dinner at 5 PM on Thanksgiving. I copied this from a note sent out from Gary Pond- club president- "New England jumpers: Here is your chance to get in some plane formation experience. Jumptown will have available two Otters for Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday through Sunday). On the better day(s) we will have discussions on formation techniques. If you are doing a six way, three will leave from each plane. We will use the green light signal for climb out with expected exits 15 seconds later, then the green light will come on again, the next group will climb out and so on (the same pass). Hope to see you there." Stop in and see us. . rg "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Actually- there are only two of these Otters. They came from the Norwegian military. They have a little flag holder outside the pilot door -the Norwegian flag was placed in it for ground ops when VIPs were on board. The owner still has the "first class" executive interior One of them is at Jumptown (Orange, MA) the other is at Frontier Skydivers in Newfane, NY. "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

It's that time again! Stock up on long underwear and save your appetite.... Thanksgiving is almost upon us! Jumptown's 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Boogie is sure to be the best one yet! Join us in Orange, MA on Wednesday, Nov 26th for an afternoon jump and stay over for jumping and dinner on Thursday. The traditional Thanksgiving spread will be put out at 4:30-5:00 on Thursday, Nov 27th- last couple of years we have had about 25-30 people for Thanksgiving dinner. If you would like to join us pls contact me ([email protected] or just hit reply to this!) or Diane at Jumptown. The usual $10. donation to help cover food costs is appreciated- along with whatever side dish, dessert or beverage you might like to bring along. Jumping continues (as long as the weather permits) for the weekend -so come on out an play or just stop in for coffee and leftovers! Who knows how many Otters we'll have around... plenty of room for all! The coffee and hot chocolate will be steaming all weekend and you can keep warm by the fire so kick off your holidays with some good times at Jumptown! -rose . "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Not to argue- because these are just opinions- but I think the opposite. I think I am just as diligent if not more so than a jumper. jumpers are well aware of how they trash pack their mains and how little you really have to do to a canopy when packing. They do this day after day and the damn thing still works.... so why do you think a jumper would fully realize the need for consistency and care in packing? If anything I stick to the rules more because I am not interested in my husband or friend being a "test jumper" of something I "think will work". If you think being responsible my husband or best friend's life is inconsequential to my life- you are wrong. Many military riggers never step foot out of a plane. Just one more opinion... :) . "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Hmmm.... so now I am just your "pilot's wife"... :) (And John is just your pilot/??) :) To the person asking the question- if you are interested-- Do it. if you are going to do it- do it right... and keep working with active, current riggers. I decided flying was more fun than rigging so I let the rigging slip to the wayside but still have fun at the dz. Instrument/commercial checkride on Monday... :) rg . "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

a couple of times a year we have "Crock Pot" night at the DZ (Jumptown in Orange, MA). It is the same idea as a "Pot Luck Dinner" but a people have stuff cooking in their trailers or in the clubroom while they are jumping. After jumping everyone breaks out their crock pot dish and we all get to eat some great food! "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

If you don't have a little extra cash you have no business owning a plane. It is as simple as that. I just came from the hangar where my 182 is undergoing an annual inspection- instead of finding somewhere that will do the bare minimum I encourage the IA to look for EVERYTHING. Why would I take my investment and let it deteriorate to nothing and possibly kill my friends?? If you keep up on the 100 hour inspections and monitor, do thorough preflights and regular preventative maintenance you can cut down on costs that only get worse if you leave the problem until you HAVE to fix it. Even if you do all of this- it is still EXPENSIVE to own and operate any aircraft - if you can't handle it-get out of the business before you kill someone. You might also do everything right and hire experienced pilots and still have a crash- it happens. We dropped the jump insurance on our 182 this year because the cost of skydiving policy was $8000. (for $100,000 coverage) Without skydiving the cost is only $1400. Since we only used it to back up local DZs and fill in when needed we opted to drop it. The high price of skydiving coverage is because of the amount of losses incurred in skydiving- every time you hear a "gear up" landing , ran off the runway or a stall/spin into the ground the insurance companies start uping the ante... THAT is what is putting operators out of business. Who is to blame? The operators that put inexperienced pilots in piece of shit airplanes and hope for the best. I have seen people refuse to fly in certain airplanes with certain pilots- good for them! The general attitude needs to change. It is not cool to do fly bys or buzz jobs, get as low over the trees as you can, squeeze in one more load so you are low on fuel but the tandems get finished by dark... Good luck on your crusade, Chris... there are people paying attention! "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

The CASA will be there Fri (around noon, I believe is the plan) -so there will be an Otter and a CASA for the weekend. The additional Otters are coming on Sunday evening/Monday morning for the 100-way. I spent the day at Jumptown and there is quite a good vibe going- even though the weather didn't cooperate for night jumps. There was a crew of volunteers/club members doing odd jobs and prep work for the boogie next week. It's all coming together beautifully thanks to a lot of hard work by club/BOD! :) "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

one more thing to add- know the terrain of your dz- just because your altimeter says you are at 1500' you may be climbing over rising terrain which would put you lower AGL than you think. I've seen quite a few airports with surrounded by hills that could add an extra couple hundred feet to your "safe exit" altitude as you read it on your altimeter. "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Students operations will be "business as usual" for the weekend so you shouldn't have a problem getting a few jumps in. Even though they wont be jumping with Students on Monday and Tuesday (during the hundred way attempts) you should try and stick around-- it is pretty neat to watch and always fun to participate in the celebrations! . "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

The CASA will be arriving at Jumptown on Friday, August 15th through Tuesday, August 19th. As usual, our very own Spankin' Otter will be there as well. So will Guy Wright, Boxman, Joe Trinko and for you freeflyers - the Sugar Gliderz. Schedule - Base Practice with Guy Wright - Friday, Saturday and Sunday RW Load Organizing with Boxman, Joe Trinko, Gary Pond and Tom McLaughlin - Friday, Saturday and Sunday (organizers will be available for all levels- you do not have to be on the 100-way to participate) The Sugar Gliderz - Freefly Coaching and Organizing - Friday, Saturday and Sunday 100 Way Record Setting Dives - Monday and Tuesday Fun Jumping for those not involved in the 100 way - Monday and Tuesday More 100Way info- www.newengland100way.com If you have questions about the weekend please contact Diane Pond at [email protected] or at 978-544-5321 . . "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

ya- I'm a little suspicious of a 8 or 9 person aircraft with the same horsepower as my 182... It seems a bit expensive for the amount of work you can do with it. Two loads of eight jumpers an hour... takes a lot of tandems to make the payment.(you can do that with two nice 182s for a lot less money and more flexibility) I wonder what the insuance will be like... they charge $8,000 a year for a $100,000 C182 jump plane... does that mean you would have to pay over $30,000 year for insurance? I guess anything that is new costs a lot and hopefully you make up for it in maintenance savings. Is this certified in the US yet? I didn't see anything on the website that said it was... "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Chris- I'm just teasing you about calling the categories "levels" - It has been a difficult transition for everyone to get used to- not just the jumpmasters. It's hard to change the "sales pitch" that you've been doing for the last 10 years from "7 Levels of AFF" to the explanation of the categories. The levels were a lot easier to explain! :) Did Howard tell you he's buying me a SuperCub??!! :) -rose (the girl with the cutest dog in the whole wide world! - that everyone borrowed to take for a walk...

Good job, Howard! We've spent all season making sure the instructors and jumpers that grew up with AFF know that Jumptown is doing ISP- Catagories- Now that we've harassed all people that should know better we have a new student trying to take us drag us back into the past... :) And Howard- stay on the couch as long as you want---as long as you are perusing Trade-A-Plane for my Super Cub! Have fun in the tunnel, Chris- :) "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

It is ignorant to think this could not happen to any skydiver walking around on the ramp. What there are no "stats" on are the "near miss" incidents... the heart stopping- pilot shitting themselves- "oh my god..." incidents that happen all over the country every year. Skydivers and ramp crew think they are not at risk- they think the "loader" is unnecessary or is a convenience. How many camera men have you seen strolling around the ramp for the cool and groovey shot...walking backwards... or the kids of some jumper playing ball on the ramp??? Ya, they grew up on the dz...and it is not a busy airport but if their dog ran out to the plane or their hat blew off they would chase it- right into the prop! Or the jumper that runs from the parking lot to make the load. Don't be prop bait- stay out of the operations area. It doesnt matter who you are or how long you have been jumping- YOU DON'T BELONG THERE! We don't give observer rides but if a student or anyone lands in the plane they do not get out until the pilot has completely shut down- if it is not a shutdown they do not get out until the "loader" brings the step and escorts them. If the dz hot fuels- NEVER approach the fueler. I've seen this happen with very experienced jumper.... the fueler is inches away from a spinning prop -he does not need the distraction of worrying about you hitting the prop. Do not approach the pilot window to tell him where you want the spot. All of these are completely unnecessary risk that are unacceptable and are commited by some of the most experience people on the DZ... because they think they know how to "do it safely" Don't say "that is the stupidest thing I have every heard- Even in my limited experience working on a DZ for about 12 years and have not worked on the busiest or the most active places and I have seen all of these things happen. I am just fortunate to to not see an actual accident. We preach constantly about the dangers.. and have a loader and a fueler and steps with a safety guide attached...and we still have people try their hardest to get around it... Sorry for the rant- it's a pet peeve of a frequent loader/plug puller...ramp police... "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

I'm just passing this along in case any folks from the surrounding area would like to get involved. There is more info- only a limited amount of slots - contact Steve for all the real details. Thanks rg Team Alchemy with Mike Swanson, Rook Nelson, and Alaska Jon, will be coming to Jumptown in Orange Ma. (www.jumptown.com ) on the dates of May 30, 31, and June 1st. The cost for this event is $300 per jumper not including your slot. This fee covers all expences for team Alchemy's travel, slots, pack jobs, ect. Any leftover money at the end of the event will be returned to the jumpers in the event. There is no set format for this year. If people want to group fly, one on one, hybrid dives, ect. GO FOR IT!!!!!!! I need reply's and deposit (Non refundable) of $150 by April 1st! Balance due by may 1st. Send checks or money order made out to "Jumptown" and send to: Steve Juaire PO Box 19837 Johnston, R.I. 02919 Please feel free to contact me with ANY questions at you might have at [email protected] Steve Juaire "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

We have Precise Flight Speed Brakes on our 1969 C182. They cost just over $4500. for parts and installation. They do make a big difference in descent rate while keeping the engine temps where they are supposed to be but we have had some minor flap skin damage as well. We don't use the plane for jumping full time- so we don't use the brakes too often. There are two different types of Speed Brakes- one pops out above the wing -for use with electric flaps. The other type is below the wing -for manual flaps. I have heard that the manual type is hard to find these days. the other consideration is an AD... don't have all the info, but I heard that you cannot use the electric flap- above the wing type if you have wing extensions. Hope this helps a little. It is a bit costly and possibly bad on the flaps. Unless you are running the most efficient show in town and the jumpers are waiting to pile in the plane in record time it might be better to do a little slower descent and not worry about the brakes??? just my 2 cents... :) "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Only One Week To Go!!! 3rd Annual Jumptown Thanksgiving Boogie!! Jumping to start Wednesday afternoon! A couple of turbine aircraft....including Jumptown's own Spankin' Otter! Plenty of pilots and airplanes! Load organizers for all levels- no one left out! Formation loads!?! Bring out your old skydiving videos- first jump videos, etc to share with everyone! (It gets dark early...) Thanksgiving Dinner at 5 PM on Thursday- (please RSVP to Rose or Diane Pond if you plan on attending) As everyone that attended before knows- A good time had by all... no matter what the weather! Bring all your winter clothes.... *Camping available for the brave. Shower facilities and restrooms available. For anyone interested in staying over check out the Jumptown website for local accomodations. Floor space is usually available in the club. Please pass this on to anyone not on email. :)

I guess it came from the FAA office of Certification? I also think it is valid for all series Otters. "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Thanks to everyone that had suggestions for us- We have a new supplement from the FAA- if any DHC-6 owners need a copy of this supplement pls contact me with a fax number and I'll fax you one. -It would be easier if the owner or someone designated by the owner, did this so that I don't get responses from the owner, the pilot ,the dzo and twenty jumpers, all relating to the same aircraft :) Thanks again for all the help and suggestions- Rose Goetsch [email protected] "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Well- you would think all these people would have it- but no one does.We have talked to just about every Twin Otter operator in the country.... DeHavilland (Bombardier) even said they didnt have a supplement that we already had a copy of (for the 300 series.) We think we have things sorted out with the FAA... rewriting a few things, etc. Thanks for the suggestions. rg "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

Our 200 Series Twin Otter is sitting on the ground and we are in need of help. We are offering a $500. finders fee to the first person to fax us a valid copy of a certain page from the Flight Manual. We're asking every Twin Otter pilot or aircraft owner we can find to look in their Flight Manual for a page called: "Flight Supplement for Flight With Left Cargo Door Removed" The page should be located in "Section 5- Supplements" The page that we need has the part number "PSM-1-62-1A" on the top of the page. This is what specifies it is from a DHC-200 series manual. We can also-possibly-use the same page from a "PSM 1-6-1" manual. (the old combined 100/200 series manual) We have the 100 Series and the 300 Series pages already. The 337 for the lexan windblock is useless if you cannot fly with the standard door removed. Thanks for any help- please pass this on to any pilots you know that may have a copy of a manual. The supplement is not in all of the manuals.If you have this page -PLEASE reply or call Kevin, John or Rose @ 978.807.4091 or 978.874.1935 "If you're not on the centerline -you're out of control"

It's $5 Friday at a Drop Zone near you! The following DZs would like to express their thanks and gratitude to all the experienced jumpers that made the July 4th week such a success! Come out on Friday, July 12th for $5 jumps- AerOhio- Rittman, OH (www.jumptoday.com) Boston Providence Skydiving Center -Lincoln, RI (www.skydivetoday.com) Jumptown- Orange, MA (www.jumptown.com) Frontier Skydiving- Newfane, NY (www.FrontierSkydiving.com) Please contact the DZ directly if you need more info. Come out and enjoy a beautiful day of jumping- Thanks!!!