brianfry713

Happy birthday Leah. Tonight we're going to fly in the tunnel. After that I'm not sure yet. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

piisfish, if you're serious about trying a TARD out of an airplane (which I don't think you are), don't. Don't even try a TARD when it's windy out (which the door of the airplane definitely qualifies as. Unpacking your pilot chute or your main anywhere near an open door of an airplane is a good way to get yourself and anyone else in the plane killed. Besides, why the hell would you cutaway before a TARD? The OP would be best off landing in the airplane in most cases or just staying on the ground. For the rest of you, if you're below 1,000 feet, you're probably best landing in the plane. Even if the engine(s) quits, gliding landings are usually not fatal. I glide my parachute to a landing every time. I'll try to make it simple for you because it's a simple system: Handle #1, main pilot chute. Handle #2, cutaway. Handle #3, reserve pilot chute. If you're below 1,000 feet, and don't have a good main, go straight to handle #3. If you're in freefall with nothing out and no handles pulled below 2,000 feet or so, go straight to handle #3. Otherwise don't pull them out of order for any reason besides maybe a canopy transfer (which is risky at best). If you do like the OP suggests and pull handle #2, then #1, then let the RSL or skyhook do it's thing, you could get entangled in the mess and die. The static line student fatality who cutaway his main on exit and got flipped upside down as the main left and the RSL pulled the reserve and the reserve PC entangled with him all the way to impact comes to mind. Keep handle #1 in the pouch and the main in the container while you're in the plane. That's what it's designed for. The time you think you may save by going hand held is not worth the extra risk of entanglement, premature extraction, unstable exit and freefall, malfunction, and death. Besides, you need the half second it takes you to get to your handle in order to clear the airplane. I have a hard time believing that (assuming it works at all and you survive) a static-line main to skyhook or RSL deployed reserve would open any faster than a normal reserve deployed by a pilot chute. Reserves open quick using them correctly without doing something stupid. And you should probably ignore everything said in this thread because at least half of it is idiotic. The best thing you could do next to talking to someone in person who knows this stuff (Instructor, rigger, gear store owner, coach, or experienced jumper) is read it here: http://www.uspa.org/publications/SIM/2008SIM/SIM.htm http://www.unitedparachutetechnologies.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=27 http://www.unitedparachutetechnologies.com/PDF/Support/Manual/09354(V3_Manual).pdf http://www.unitedparachutetechnologies.com/PDF/Support/Manual/09109(skyhPackIns).pdf If you jump something other than a Vector 3, go to the manufacturer's website and read the manual. I don't know much about the DRX yet except that it's coming soon, it's something like a Skyhook except it might not have a Collin's lanyard. One of the points of an RSL, Skyhook RSL, or AAD is that they shouldn't emergency procedures most of the time. Pull your handles in order. Don't be afraid to talk to people at the DZ. If they're busy, find someone else you trust to ask or try again at another time or DZ if you have to. Or just find Bonnie. You're posting about it so I'm guessing it all worked out well, but I can't help but wonder how the rest of the story of the Otter with no elevator played out. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

The not so serious answer (like many here), is the rig doesn't work without a data card, that's like trying to start a car without a license. The serious answer, is if you can, contact the previous rigger, get him or her to make and send you a new card. They should have extras and have all the information about the last repack in their logbook. You'll probably lose the entire repack history of the system, but the last repack is all that really matters. If you can't wait or contact the previous rigger, then get a new A&I&R. I also notice you jump an Infinity. I love mine, but I don't like the data card location. I lost my data card out of it during two freefly jumps in a row. My rigger was nice and made me a new one (twice), which I no longer keep in the rig. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

A&P - Assemble and Pack. If you're assembling it you're not really repacking it, but packing it for the first time in that rig. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

billvon, did you also learn that 42" is a big PC for a King Air exit? I would use a more appropriate PC for close to terminal, such as a 32-36". Everyone else, it's Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). It's often pronounced "fisdo" but there is no I. I also don't see why some other skydivers have such an issue with people jumping B.A.S.E. gear out of an airplane. It is reliable and safe, even if it's only got one parachute. I agree it's not the best choice for skydiving but it is for B.A.S.E. jumping. You should be checking everyone's data card if you care so much about the FARs being broken and making sure no one is overloading a reserve or jumping an out of date or pencil packed reserve. I would argue that if you want to pull low, a B.A.S.E. rig is the way to go on any jump. boyd38off: If you want to let your friends jump out of your aircraft with a B.A.S.E. rig on go for it. You are probably not legal doing it without FAA approval and risking your FAA certificates. You can check with the local FSDO first if you want, people may have gotten FAA waivers to use B.A.S.E. gear out of aircraft in the past. Either that go by the motto: Beg for forgiveness not for permission. If you wanted to do it illegally, and you seem convinced that you can and get away with it, it's probably better if you don't post about it in public. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Pilots (especially DZ pilots in my experience) don't always land into the wind. Other skydivers also don't always land into the wind. You should be able to see the difference in your ground speed facing different directions if there is a significant amount of wind, or just look at the wind socks, other clues, check it before you take off, or take your best guess. Landing downwind can be fun if you are capable of it. You shouldn't be jumping a canopy you can't land in a light downwind. If the winds are strong, you should be able to tell the direction or not be jumping. You can also tell by ground drift if you are in a crosswind and be able to point yourself more directly into the wind if the landing area permits it. If there is an established direction you should follow it if you can or land in a different area. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Skydance Skydiving in Davis, CA does 30,000 foot HALO jumps 1-2 times every year. There used to be a long story about it on their website, but I can't find it on there anymore. I haven't done it yet, but I believe they require a D license, FAA 3rd class medical, a chamber ride, a fresh shave, and no beans or booze the night before. I think the cost is somewhere around $400. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

For TI's that are required to have a 3rd class medical, as of yesterday it is now valid for 60 calender months after the exam date if you were under age 40 on the exam date. If you were age 40 or above on the exam date, it is still valid for 24 calender months, same as before this new rule. If you have a 2nd or 1st class medical is it valid for 3rd class medical privileges for the same amount of time as a 3rd class medical. As I understand it, all of us in the US once the 2009 SIM is published in September 2008 will be required to have a current USPA TI rating renewed every year, at least a current FAA 3rd class medical, and a one time manufacturer initial rating. The official FAA notification: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16911.pdf Table explaining how long medical certificates are now valid for: http://download.aopa.org/epilot/2008/080723medical.pdf The AOPA story quoted in the OP with the links: http://www.aopa.org/flightplanning/articles/2008/080723medical.html BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

The hearing test for my class 3 FAA medical was the doc covering up her mouth with a piece of paper and having me repeat a sentence that she said. If your deaf friend wants to become a TI, have them check with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) doctor before they fill out the FAA paperwork. I'm sure AOPA, USPA, and the FAA could also answer your questions about whether they will be able to get the class 3 medical and any limitations it may have on it. Or you could post or do a search here to see if there are any deaf TI's out there. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

I had a fibula plate and 6 screws removed about 3.5 months after they were installed. I did two butt slide landings skydiving a few weeks before the hardware came out, and I was back B.A.S.E. jumping 2 weeks after the removal surgery. My ankle is not quite the same as it was before but doesn't really slow me down now. I can tell that I broke it but I can still run, ski, climb 1700 foot ladders, and swoop. My ortho said that because I had a large plate and a long screw through the tibia it'd be a good idea to get it removed. flygirl1 has a tibia rod and hasn't decided if it's coming out or not yet. As I recall the doc said to wait a year and then decide. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Humps: Jumps: Beer owed

Congrats Marcel.

I've never been skydiving around there, but I hear there's a tall bridge nearby. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

I got this email from him today after I responded to him asking "Hi, Could you please mail me back if you still have the complete system.. please get back to me with the price and the condition". I'm only selling a canopy. "Hello, Thanks for your swift response, I'm so glad to hear from you and would say that am really interested in buying the (comtainer) and i will be happy if you can sell it to me because my son has been troubling me because he want to use it in Australian so i have get it for him. i have a Dhl account for shipping pakages and with that i will use to ship it down to my Location. Pls kindly get back with your final asking price and i will be glad to issue out the payment to you which will be in bank draft/check for the payment. If you are okay with my arrangement,pls kindly get back to me with the following detail's FULL NAME: ADDRESS: ZIPCODE: MOBILE NUMBER: I await your response soon, Thank's and GOD bless you and youir family. Regards" BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

flygirl1 and I doing a tandem last weekend at the American Boogie in Davis, CA BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

I can't wait. I'll be camping out Friday late afternoon until sunset on Sunday. You should be able to find me night jumping, drinking beer, fun jumping, doing tandems, updating Neptunes, helping out, hanging out by the bonfire, or whatever else. They usually have a beer truck so keg stands may require a few more people to help. I think it's usually a light and dark brew local to Davis but my memory is a bit fuzzy. BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative

Have you tried http://flightaware.com/ BASE 1224, Senior Parachute Rigger, CPL ASEL IA, AGI, IGI USPA Coach & UPT Tandem Instructor, PRO, Altimaster Field Support Representative