BlindBrick

Couple of isses here, but to explain them I need to give a short primer on current stealth tech. The fundamentals behind current aircraft stealth tech are a three step process. 1. You contour the airfcraft so that any radar beams that strike it are reflected at an oblique angle. This works because traditionally the radar receiver is in the same place as the radar emitter. There are always going to be some surfaces that can't be sufficiently contoured, so you need another method to deal with them. This is where steps two and three come in. 2. Is a coating of paint that has been specially formualted to absorb as much radiation in the radar bands as possible. this takes care of the majority of the problem but not all which is where step three comes in. 3. The final piece is electronic counter measures. ECM comes in several types, but stealth relies on a type called deceptive that rather than the more familiar approach of just trying to 'white out' an area with radar "noise' instead emits signals designed to confuse the radar return thus muddying what little return escapes the first two steps. Now the first issue. There are many indications that the current stealth technology is a dead end. Computing power has advanced to the point that it's a fairly simple mattter to build a network of radar emitters and receivers to achieve passive detection of current stealth platforms. This works because as we saw the primary tool of current stealth technology is redirecting the radar beam away from the radar emitter since traditionally that's been where the receiver was also. With a networked array of recievers, the coordinating computer catches the misdirected signal from multiple receivers and then performs triangualtion to fix the actual position of the aircraft. Real world applicability? An F-117 was lost in operations over Bosnia in what the USAF has claimed was a one in a million lucky shot. What most people don't realize is that that region of the world has some ofthe most notorius software virus makers on the planet, and a bit before the F-117 shootdown the "Warez" rumor mill was awash with rumors that those guys had developed something that was really hot but not a virus. Second issue Stealth only works against radar. Shortly before the Soviet fall, the USSR spent a huge amount of money devloping the best infra red detection technology in the world. They then developed that tech into seeker heads, sensor suites and fire control systems. The seeker heads were then mated to russian short and medium range air to air missiles which had the advantage of Russia's undisputed mastery of rocketry seasoned with a few truely innovative ideas filched from American designs. The Soviet Air Force also moved away from centralized ground-based tactical control of fighters once it became apperant that WWIII wouldn't begin with a massive spamming of B-52's and B1's. The net result is that the Soviet Air Force's fighter corps developed into a true hunter-killer force that hunts its targets with a virtually indetectable sensor suite and then prosecutes the attack with some of the world's best AAM's mated to the world's most manuverable aerial warfare platofrms. the net result is that enemy planes are ganked before they even know what has happened. Fast Forward a decade and now that technology is for sale to everyone and their dog. fast forward another five years and a signifcant number of Russian pilots have entered the market as freelance advisors who teach the doctrine and tactics needed to get the most out of the sold systems. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Well unconventional does neccessarily have to equal wmd. The 911 attacks were highly uncovnetional. Suspect that you may have meant to insert a “not” in that first sentence, yes? Yeah, I was trying to formulate the thought while multitasking and forgot the "not", sorry about that. Appreciate the expansion & clarification. the dichotomy is from the difference between the perfect and the real world. In a perfect would you do get to be that flexible. In the real world you get to work with what you have on hand and in that case, you better have enough of it. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Ian Hogg's observation actually, but I agree with it since without the hyper-sensitivity to WMD's today's society possesses, chem munitions just are really all that effective nor worth the hassle of decon. A caveat, I'm more familiar with WWI tech than the war situation as a whole, but to me it strikes me that the greatest failing was the inability for high command to think outside the box. People are always lambasting generals for fighting the last war, but I think WWI was a bit different. I think there was a concerted effort to adapt to the new technologies, but that the planners' imaginations could not compete with the actual brutual efficiency of the new gear. IMO, this caused the various high commands to fall back into the mindset of more traditional doctrines that ultimately produced the horrible meatgrinders that most people associate with WWI. My call? The only certainty in war is uncertainty so try to mitigate that. Spend obscene amounts on your intelligence assets, train your military to be utterly adaptable and brutally streamline your procurement process so that the right kind of gear can be fielded in a timely manner. Nothing new, namely if your serious enough to be engaged in a true war, than desperation is going to force you to try new things. *** Or more simplistically, why hasn’t Al Qa’eda used chem,* radiological, or bio weapons? (*setting aside momentarily the use of chlorine-coupled IEDs by AQ-affiliated insurgents in western Iraq in 2006-07). Does this suggest that the impetus to escalate to chem, bio, or rad weapons is over-hyped? … insurgents aren’t running out of materials for IEDs. Well unconventional does neccessarily have to equal wmd. The 911 attacks were highly uncovnetional. As for not using WMD's, isn't AQ a victim of their own success? They've gained enough noteriety that normal attacks generate the kind of press they need while their noteriety also means that everyone and their kid brother is milking their intelligence networks hard for any sign of loose WMD's which makes the risk associated with acquisition very high. I think this line of thinking falls prey to the common misconception that asymmetrical warfare outside of the spec ops field must equal terrorism. I don't have to use WMD's to win a hearts & minds campaign but there are some very valid points for using wmd's on certain targets to make the government of a superior force sue for peace to avoid having their defenses comprised to a point that they are unable to function at a level sufficient to discourage foes with more symmetrical levels of force. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Another lesson for future wars can be taken away from the site. If you are going to pick a fight make damn sure you got enough material to finish it. A shortage of exsplosives for artillery rounds was the leading imeptus for Germany's introduction of chem warfare. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

I jump out at Siloam Springs. I didn't go to Hillbilly Boogie since our Beech 18 is now up and I didn't feel the time and gas for the 240 mile round trip was worth the extra 500 ft of altitude the boogie was giving when I only had to drive 20 miles to get to Skyranch. You've got my phone number, give me a call if you head over to Skyranch and I'll meet you there to do some flocking. The dz is easy to get to, just take US 412 east from tulsa until you get to Siloam. you'll go through town and about a mile past Wal-Mart you'll come to the AR 59 junction. Turn North (left) and the entrance to the airport is a quarter mile on the right. To give you an idea of the travel time, Grill drives it in about 75 minutes, coming from the East side. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Whats there to see there, one can not find out by opening a wingsuit (of any brand) to see exactly the same thing? This may just be me, but to me it goes against the spirit of the agreement he had with Tony even if it doesn't give a competitor an advantage. And to answer your question Jarno, there's not, but you can justify a lot of screwed up stuff by saying "I just did what someone else could have." Of course, I was raised in an area that seems to always been thirty years behind the rest of the country, so maybe I'm just being too old fashioned. You guys just need to apply some ponies, beer and waffels to modernize me. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

I noticed that but was was more concerned about the part where he promises to keep Tony's wing rib tech confidential and then posts pics of the templates. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

With the help of Matt Younkin and the rest of the Younkin Airshows crew, we've spent the last eight months lovingly restoring a Beech 18 to her former glory. Now grab your coat and tie and your prom dresses and come help us celebrate the return of a grand dame to the skies. We have a 5 piece horn band playing your favorite big band hits from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Cocktails, Dinner and dance at the end of the jumping day Saturday. Car key cover charge. Beech 18 jumps $25 to 12k with the incomparable Matt Younkin at the helm. Chopper jumps $45 We will start flying on Friday after 1 pm and not finish up until dark on Sunday. Brush up on your dance steps and come have some fun. "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Isn't most, (if not all) solo gear TSOd to an exit weight of 254 lbs? (except tandem rigs of course) Or maybe Im wrong Only TSO 23C gear has the 254 lb weight limit. 22B gear (Vectors, Mirages, Racers, ect.) has no limit and 23D (Icons, R-Max's, Angel Fires ect.) gear's limit is whatever the manufactuer choses to test it too. Also take what you read on here with a grain of salt. Some of the dzo's who proclaim on dz.com that large people don't skydive, have never hesitated to sell me a lift ticket. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

I'm 350 lbs exit weight and 5'11. My descent rate in my Super Mach is about 120 but my forward speed is screaming. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

am i the only one that sees the flaw in this statement? Back when I was in college, there was a snafu on living arrangements made for me on a summer intership and I went from being a 295 lb couch potato to having to cycle 30 miles a day 6 days a week through the Front Range. By about the fourth week, my weight stabilized at 280 so vigorous cycling is not a guarantee for massive weight loss. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

If they are within the limits where is the a larger liability than people with other types of physical conditions that we allow to jump? I know that you cited the risk of breaking bones, but honestly if we let osteoporosis-ridden grandmas celebrate their 70th birthdays by doing a jump, how can we deny the heavy jumper who might actually have stronger bones? And how is that any riskier than letting the jumper you know is on BP meds continue to jump? The answer is that it isn't. These people are allowed to jump because they have been informed that they are at an elevated risk, but they have chosen to assume the extra risk. Where do you see the excess wear? Is it on the rig or the canopy/risers? I am honestly curious because while I have seen wear on links and linesets that weren't designed for the load that was put on them, I haven't spotted any excess wear on the stitching, joints or hardware on the container itself. You are working under a flawed assumption. You are only looking at the physics and not the physiology. Bone density in load-bearing bones increases as the normal load on them increases which counters the failings of the cube/root law to a large, but not total, extent. Heavier people are at a elevated risk, but it's not as dire as the simple math would suggest. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Are there any instrucotrs jumping reguarly at Dallas? -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

The two I know off the top of my head are R-Max 288: 317 lbs AngleFire 246,280 & 300: 330 lbs. I think there is one or two more, but I'd have to dig True, I was more addressing the misconception of the the 254 lb "limit". -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Phree, TK & Martin reread your TSO's. 23C has a 254 lbs limit, but 23B does not have a weight limit. There might be limits on the canopies (though I know of at least 2 Cat D sport reserves rated above 300 lbs), but 23B containers do not. In fact, Jeff from Mirage has sent me test data where the G3 handled that kind of weight with flying colors in oder to satisfy my dzo that the rig wasn't going to disintegrate around me. Since that time, I've personally put a couple of hundred jumps on my Mirage where the exit weight was around 350 and deployment speeds typically varied from 140-175 mph. I know that that is on the extreme high end of the curve, so I inspect the gear reguarly and have not found any difference between my rig and those with a similar number of jumps used by jumpers of more average weight. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

I've jumped L7's and 9's for about 120 jumps and have a reserve ride on each type. Lasers are good canopies. Nothing spectacular, but solid workhorse type F1-11 designs. Packing the Laser 9 reserves weirds you out at first though. The first few times you flake one, you'll know you did everything right, but will still be wondering where in the hell the extra liens came from.

Ya know, given that Spot and I are the resident Native American birds, I think we should each get a copy of the suit as repatriations for the unauthorized use of our cultural IP/TradeMarks. What do you think Spot? "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Avatar -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Does anyone do a shuttle service to/from Tampa International? If so, does anyone know what they charge? -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

If people would just take the time to read At's profile, they'd know that renting gear is almost never a viable option. Remember that not all of us in this sport are of "average" size. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Again, BE SPECIFIC . . . or this conversation is over. I believe the axes our fine fisherman is looking to grind are along the lines of: Seat rails not inspected Not offically logging whether the on/off switch actually works Running an engine/prop combo on a 206U that's only approved a plain 206 ect, ect. The sad thing here is that there any potential lessons to be learned from this incident are likely to get buried under all this "cloak & dagger" hiding in the shadows bs. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

What I wondered about was if the front panel of a suit was modified to incorporate two ram-air that channled air over the top surface of the leg wing, to take advantage of the Coanda effect, if there'd be a noticeable increase in performance. Always figured that for most people, the extra drag would negate any advantage, but for those of us birds who's guts produce more drag than a Caravan's cargo pod, maybe the inlets would not constitute a whole lot more drag. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Nice suit. Now you need to come over to Siloam once we get the Beech up in a few weeks. We've been getting some jumpers from Cushing, and they say there's three or four birds over there that are planning to come over to Siloam once we start going to 12 grand. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

Lol, I guess DSE and me can vouch for that. Seriously, compared to my Prodigy, my SM1 is more agile, faster and doesn't put so much strain on my arms that I have to ice my shoulders down after a 3 flight day. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

I'm not one of those "naturals". I'm just a guy of average ability who took his FJC just after passing the recommended minimum number of jumps, and Jarno's view has been my experience. Until recently, the basic freefall and RW skills were what I needed the most. When I transitioned from my beginner suit, I was so focused on flying the regular suit that I effectively forgot the basic skills and ended up fighting rather than flying my suit. I was fustrated and scared enough that I was seriously considering selling my suit, but I'd bought it as a way of fulfilling a promise to my son's memory. So, I decided to spend a few jumps just getting comfortable doing the basic freefall/rw skills in the suit before deciding whether to get out of ws'ing or not. Somewhere along the third of those jumps, I found myself confident and relaxed enough that I was flying the suit without having to try to. Since then my only issue has been learning when to turn back towards the DZ to avoid contracting an acute case of get-home-itis. -Blind "If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."