mags

I am totally impressed by what you guys have pulled off up in Chicago. I am not as active in the sport as I once was, but I can appreciate the significance of the challenge that you guys have overcome. I can remember when the "end of the day" big ways we were doing at Pahokee were pretty much the deal, 2 point ten ways and the like. I also remember being the last one out on the state record at Richmond, and having Rook motion me in from the base for a way successful 9 way. The idea of being in a formation like that (69 way) is almost incomprehensible to me. Congratulations to all the team members and organizers on a truly impressive feat! You guys are proof of the dedication to progress and the livelihood of this sport. Christian

I can't believe this thread has gone on without the mention of Charlie Mullins...... Charlie was getting DZO's in a twist all over the US when he was still a teenager doing some of the first "hook turns" under the first high performance canopies.(Nova) If it was not for his Father's aircraft and the rare service it was providing, he likely would have been banned from said dropzones. Charlie was the first person to fly a canopy under 80 sq', 70sq' and 60sq'..........Charlie was also one of the first pilots to test and help develop the early line of Icarus Crossbraced canopies (FX) He was jumping a 69sq' in 1996, and in 1997 moved to the 58 sq'FX.....(when guys with 150 Stillettos thought they were hot shit)...He was test flying "non production" cross braced wings before anyone really had any idea about it except for a select few........I think Leblanc and Presse were some of the only other people at the time pushing the envelope as Charlie was, but he was a teenager then...something to be said for that. There is an add for the Nova in an very old "Parachutist" (circa 1993) of Charlie swooping a ditch under a 77 Nova water in it (actually the water that was above ground of the septic tank) at his family's dropzone in TN. when he was I think 16 and already had about 2000 skydives. That was about 11 years ago! During that period of time, alot of people criticized Charlie about his aggressive and what some people deemed (wreckless) style....People were convinced that he was going to kill himself and/or someone else..........I suspect that most people were just jealous that he was a better skydiver at 16 than they would likely ever be, or that his father owned the premier jumpship in the country out of which he jumped for free.... Love him or hate him, his contribution to the niche of high performance canopy flight should not go unmentioned. Christian

Not that anyone asked, but perhaps this guy has spent too much time online...... Aggiedave, I remember when you were practically a wuffo and you were so humble and courteous on this site.........Now you have some jumps under your belt (and no doubt more hours on the this forum than jumps) and your beating up on some guy for asking a question?? You need to relax......and decide what you like more......skydiving or bowing out your electronic chest........ thats why I don't come to this site anymore.......this kind of shit sucks.... Happy jumping all........ Thanks Chuck, for putting this into perspective........get in touch with me when you get a chance. PS......please don't bother replying, I won't be back to this forum for a long time Christian

Easy there partner...... So maybe the Mullins fellas do have more available to them......are you envious? While Jeffrey's post may not be the most helpful to aspiring swoopers, he does make a valid point......He and his brothers are an excellent example of what proper training, exceptional currency and high talent can produce. True, their progression and subsequent accomplishments in the sport of skydiving are perhaps not the standard example, but there is something to be said for it. Besides, I think anyone who uses an internet website as their main source of safety information and guidance in this exceptionally risky sport is way behind the curve anyway...... All I ask is that you are not too quick to pass judgment on the young Mullins fellas, or the manner in which they choose to conduct themselves..... You might learn something from them. I certainly have... Christian

I personally have to question anyone's motives for bringing up the proverbial "old shit" like this..only "Mofo" knows why....... I have known Mr. Mullins and his family since I was practically an infant...My father jumped with Mike at one of his first facilities back in the early 80's while myself and his oldest son (6 yrs old at the time) would terrorize the dz on our respective 50cc motorbikes..... I have spent a great deal of time with Michael and his family as well as travelling with the KA. His children taught me the finer points of free-flying and hp canopy flight, as well as helping me to remember what truly is good about the sport....fun..... Michael practically gave me a red carpet into the sport of skydiving in more ways than I have time to document in this forum. Mike's innovations and impact on the sport of skydiving as well his skills as a pilot are undeniable. If you enjoyed flying a square as a student or ever enjoyed a "GPS" spot from a turbine, send Michael an email and thank him. If you ever enjoyed making 25 jumps from the finest skydiving aircraft on the planet for $99 dollars, tell him you appreciate it... If you want the USPA to serve skydivers instead of the pockets of its group members...well...you get the picture... As far as the "shady" past that you mentioned, well the simple fact is that he was acquitted...end of story...I happen to know him well enough to know that a man of his character is not capable of such a crime, but for those of you who do not, i guess you will just have to trust the Federal Government's conclusions..... The truth is Michael is one of the hardest working men in skydiving while raising five boys and flying an Airbus for Fedex all at the same time.. And if you truly are interested in the details of the past, contact Michael yourself... I am proud to have Michael Mullins and his family as close friends, and I feel sorry for anyone who denies themselves the privelege of jumping his plane or associating with his family based upon pure speculation. Your loss... Christian

Allright, I have been biting my lip on this one but when you start talking about Luigi and John DeVore and attempting to put yourself in their ranks you are inviting some harsh criticism.... Those men are world class canopy pilots and you seem to be a whuffo belly flyer (not that there is anything wrong with belly flying) who wants to make up for a small penis by jumping a ridiculously loaded canopy, flying in poorly, and then boasting about your sorry exploits on the internet by posting photos.... sorry dude, you are lame happy digging

--------yawn......................

I wasn't talking about you friend, i was referring to the micro-analysts who insist on bringing in all kinds of other shite into this deal.... I will admit, it is kind of humerous that some folks take the online forums so seriously..... funny how you rarely see world class jumpers goofing off on this site.... THEY ARE OUT JUMPING AND NOT ARGUING ABOUT IT!

are you bored? dead issue yawn...........

i think you know what i meant.. late

I knew bringing up Olav would roust someone..... My post was not about Olav or his motivations for making this test. Of course he wants revenue.... Bottom line....do you want to challenge yourself and have the satisfaction of "flashing" a skill test or is a person so afraid of losing thier money or lacks the confidence in their own skills that they go out and replicate the test a dozen times before taking it... I am not saying this is how things should be, everyone's motivations and perceptions are different..... no right or wrong.... I personally feel more satisfied after taking a hard test that I did well on , than one i had a cheat sheet for.... just me be your own person ! put a fork in this one...its done

Personally, I think it says alot more about your flying skills if you can show up and flash the test first try... Whether or not well known flyers have prepared for their tests or not does not mean that is the way it was intended to be taken. I know Olav is not a particularly popular character, but he DID design the test and he does have standards.. It comes down to does the person REALLY want to challenge their own skills or do they just want to get the AD as easily as possible? He does not want people to prepare for it.. Now if his own instructors choose to prepare for the more advanced tests, do you think he likes that? He doesn't... I say challenge yourself and your skills by attempting the test cold... If you are a solid flyer, docking a relatively stable object and doing two transitions in time is not hard. What IS hard is doing something somewhat new under pressure in an observed environment... everyone knows practice makes perfect.......but this is not the S.A.T.'s

Just to let you know... Olav won't let anyone else give you the license....These other boys can give the test, but you will not get a # if that is what you want. I beleive only Stefania can give #'s besides Olav.. I think People either do the test so they can put it at the bottom of every post they make on the internet and run around talking about it, or they take it to truly test their flying abilities in a scrutinized environment.......or both....but it seems like mostly for bragging rights.... Whatever your motivation... I got it because I used to jump in Pahokee and it was pretty accesible.... Don't stress too much, if you are ready for the test you should know it. And if you are, it is actually pretty easy. (also, if you do take it with Olav, don't tell him you practiced for it, he hates that shit....) Good Luck

You know I wasn't talkin about you Chuck...... I've seen you throw down the MONSTER swoops over the quasi-pond in Tuskeegee land! But as the moderator in this forum I am sure you can see where I am coming from.. Hope to see you in Rantoul, and yes I will try my best to "Eat Pond" Say hi to your father for me! C

Before I piss off the manbird, just to clarify...... My post really is really in response to most of the activity in this forum...... happy swoops

Olav is usually touring Europe coaching and organizing during the summer as it is slow in Florida. Skydive America Palm Beach is indeed closed as the owner Larry Kerchenbaum is being brought up on charges for fraud. There is a great article on this subject in the latest Skydiving magazine......Too bad for Larry, as long as you didn't work for him he was a pretty cool cat.......I guess you just can't spend other people's money forever without it catching up to you....... I have no idea what Olav's plans are when he returns to the states, but send him an email and you may get a response....you can find his email at his website (1olav.com)

As a result of the deterioration of the original "freefly circus" team, Olav will no longer let anyone issue the licenses. I believe Stefania is allowed to issue the A, but if you want to do the B or beyond, be prepared to have the scrutinizing eye of "The CLOWN" himself on the other side of that little yellow orb!! If you want these licenses you have to be where Olav is, it is that simple.