freefallin14

I seriously had a CT get in my airplane a while back and ask me where the "Chem Trail" button was... http://www.chemtrailcentral.com/, http://www.workingtv.com/chemtrails.html I wish I was kidding. I am not the only airline guy who has had this happen. Apparently there is a sizable amount of people who actually believe airlines (mine included I guess) are part of a conspiracy to spray them with....something. I had so many great responses brewing in my head for this wackjob but choose a more diplomatic (and HR safe) response .

Joe Bennet at Skydive Monroe is who did mine, I just looked up their website however and they have closed. Not sure where he is anymore, you may want to pm skymonkeyone, he is who led me to Joe Bennet several years ago.

Anyone (including CSC regulars) stop to think that not only was this guy putting himself and his student at risk, but also putting the entire dropzone's business at risk for his own self amusement? What would happen if he went in doing one of these "stunts"? We have waivers and lawyers but at the end of the day, the media gets their hands on a video of this stuff, and the entire dropzone is under the microscope. He can have an attitude of compliance, and stop after he got caught, but he still selfishly put other people's well being (physical, financial, having a home dz) in jeopardy. I'm sorry but if you are stupid enough to do this (as if the tandem business needs another black eye) then you deserve anything the USPA dishes out. The FAA would be even harder on something resembling this.

"Look at all these questions, yet all I hear is, “our planes are great because we have an onsite mechanic” … HOLY SHIT if that’s not the scariest statement of the century. So is this a burnout that couldn’t get a real job with the airlines…the jet engine too much for his reciprocating engine brain? I’d rather the aircraft are taken to a national company with the resources available than to Joe Bunda of the greesemonkey crew. Oh I know we all like Joe, but there is a reason Joe works for the DZ and not the big boys." Stateofnature, you sir, are a ..... Get your A&P, a commercial, maybe a few instructor ratings, and then come speak on this forum about how we shouldn't feel safe in our twin otters. You don't have a clue about the grounding incident, and you don't have a clue about the maintenance done at most dropzones. Talking about some burn out that couldn't get on with the airlines? I know this may come as a shock, but some mechanics would rather work in GA than commercial. Until you've been at both, you cannot possibly know the benefits/negatives to both. I would rather work on a Citabria than 737 landing gear assembly any day of the week. Find a DZ/owner/pilot/mechanic you trust and their word is the only true way you know if an aircraft is airworthy, because their eyes are the only ones that have seen the inspections done. Good thing it’s overhauled and upgraded … ummm can you tell all of us EXACTLY what that means? - sure, it means that the STC has been performed in accordance with the FAA approved documentation. What part is upgraded in the aircraft that makes it better and a non-upgraded one? -look in the STC/337, the FAA won't approve a major repair or alteration without some considerable research, engineering, and/or flight testing. Was there something wrong with the non-upgraded version that people have been wooled over for 30 years? -probably not, but the 737 has gone from JT8D's to CFM56's. There was nothing wrong with the JT8D, the CFM56 just makes better economical sense, and results in better performance. Such is the case with the twin otter engine upgrade. What parts are changed? -look in the logbooks, only way to know. How many times has the same engine been overhauled? See answer above.

Any riggers live downtown Chicago that can repack a Wings and Jav this week (needs to be done this week, am leaving for Florida sat and procrastinated until now.) Bret

Just wanted to say I saw the IMAX movie Adrenaline: The Science of Risk at Six Flags Great America last weekend and it was just amazing. Definitley worth seeing if you are at Six Flags anytime soon. Lots of freeflying (Alchemy) and base jumping in Norway and it just is awesome to see in IMAX. The sound and visuals are really somthing different to experience on a screen that huge. Birdman stuff too. Anyone know if this will ever be available in regular format?

I started my skydiving at skydive indiana where rodman was and a lot of the jumpers there had helmets painted by him. His work really is amazing. My girlfriend has a aviator helmet he did which gets complimets everywhere we go. I am planning on having him paint my batrak this winter. I believe in addition to airpseed he did the japan team helmets and a few others too.

Just got my 120 back from Joe Bennett at Skydive Monroe after having the H-mod done. Price was $150 plus shipping back. He got it on tuesday and it was back here this morning (friday) in Chicago. The works looks very good, and I am off to the dropzone for the weekend in a couple minutes. I will post a review after I get some jumps on it.

I have always thought that the song Motorcycle - As The Rush Comes (Exclusive Demo Mix) would be an absolutely awesome track to go along with skydiving visuals. It is off the DJ Tiesto - Nyana cd.

Sorry Hook, but this guy is bs. Making that strong of a statement (Atair makes some of the worst canopies on the market) without ever jumping one is complete crap. Now add in the fact that he is obviously telling other jumpers, other jumpers who might take his word since he works in a gear store, that really ticks me off. But since you are correct as usual in saying this is a cobalt opening thread I will go on to say that my 120 has been sweet. I have about 300 on it. The openings have actually seemed to get better over time. In those 300, I had 2 that really slammed me. Like base canopy opening. I have no idea what caused them. But that hasn't happened in over 150 jumps. The openings did take some getting used to, but are great. I have a lot of good video of mine opening and if I ever figure out how to post it I will. They are an elliptical canopy and need to flown through the openings. Bad body position caused my only real problems with it. 3 times early on I had line twist start to spin the canopy but I got out of it before things got real ugly. I have never needed to chop it. I pack the nose wide open and roll the tail quite a bit. I am considering getting the canopy H-Mod'ed. I am still considering this but not because of opening issues.

I have seen a few of these jumpsuits out there and they look awesome. Anyone know of a contact or website for them? I know Brian Germain had one at the convention and I have seen a couple around CSS. Thanks Bret

If you've never jumped any of them, than I am sorry to say it but you have no business saying they make some of the worst canopies on the market. The sabre 2 and pilot open and land better huh? And you know this how??? Someone told told you? You watched someone land one better? You can't say they are the best beacuse you have nothing to compare them to. Quit bashing Atair and actually try one before you form an opinion and make a statement based on other people's experiences.

"Ive seen the rebel 2000 for as low as $145 recently." Where???

I am in process of quitting, so I try not to buy my favorite. Makes it that much harder. I buy my least favorite (anything non-menthol and cheap) when I must have one, but my favorite used to be Parliament menthol lights, otherwise known as P-funks.

Try to find the new remix of Coldplay's Clocks, the ilicit remix. Brand new, very very good. Bret