Meux

Stuff that matters to me is reliability, trustworthiness, beauty doesn't hurt at all. Healthy in body and mind. Those are starting points. Wild monkey sex is nice too. My problem is that I practice catch and release.

I think the farting thing is related to the theory of expanding gasses, or as I call it, "Theres more room on the outside, than on the inside." Don't know nothing about that other stuff.

I just went over 300 and I feel like it's getting worse (better). Today, I am sick about not jumping. Got other shit to do and I'm looking in the sky, checking the winds, thinking about how to move my knees and hands to make a nice turn. Dreaming about the next big weekend, It's a pretty serious distraction. Love it

Maybe ask that person a couple questions 1. Did you see me? 2. Did you see the direction all the other canopies were landing? The answers would help him understand the situation a little better. Good on you for avoiding trouble. MH

I made my first jump in 1975 when I was 21 years old. In the next year I followed up with 7 more jumps and arrived at a crossroads. I realized that I needed to figure out what I was going to do with my life. At that time I focused everything I had on getting a degree and chasing my other dream of being an Air Force Fighter Pilot. No more jumping, although I did follow the sport from a distance. Flew some jumpers and keep up with what was going on in the sport. As things developed I encountered more luck than any three people you'll ever meet, I was able to fly fighters for a career in the Air Force and before I knew it I was fast approaching age 50. Then that other dream came back to haunt me, should I go back to skydiving? For my 50th birthday I gave myself an Accelerated Free Fall course with the intention of making 10 or so jumps, fill that square and move on. That was a couple years and 300+ plus jumps ago. My biggest regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Generally speaking, if you have a dream in your life, DO IT. Don't wait, there is always a reason to not do it right now. Next thing ya know you're too old, too heavy, too something and as they are lowering you into the ground you realize that you missed living your life. I am just now starting to take my own advice based on the cold realization that HOLY SHIT, I'M ALMOST AN OLD GUY!! Don't wait, sign up today. Go jump. Loose the weight too. You'll feel better, look better and live longer, more jumps. Don't worry about fossil fuel.

My father died of kidney failure. We went into the hospital to do the transplant, but he came down with pnuemonia and was too weak for the operation. The docs sent us home until he was stronger. He died two months later. Given the choice between having two kidneys and no father or one kidney and a couple more years with my dad, the choice is pretty easy. MH

Unfinished

Thanks for the link to the 2007 goals thread. Based on what I originally posted I'm doing ok. Off the pace a little to finish the year with my D license, it'll be close. I did however get my coach rating, which wasn't on my list. It does contribute to my desire to influence safety at the drop zone. It wasn't 10 minutes after I got the rating when they had me teaching part of a first jump course. I've jumped at a couple of new DZs, including some non-DZs (beach jumps) The best part is that I feel like I'm making friends at the DZ. The worst part is that I lost a friend who was killed by another jumper in a canopy collision. It makes me want to be part of that solution. The remainder of the year is looking good. I'm planning on going to the tunnel with a coach next week followed by a day of jumping. Should be good. All in all, it's shaping up to be a good year, tempered with the memory of a lost friend, mentor, teacher. THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE. MH

I'm on a 16 hour swing/mid from 2 pm until 6 am. Good duty, happy to do it. MH

Nice Knockers.

Anxiously awaiting the next installment. Applause, cheers, bravo!!! Thanks for the great read. Mo

It wasn't a HALO jump, but once on a trans-Pacific flight I observed winds of 218 knots. On the return flight from Tokoyo back to the US we generally put ourselves in the middle of the jetstream to take advantage of the free knots. Good Luck.

Congrats and I hope to be posting something similar soon. Nicely done!! MH

Let me say this about that. I don't like mixing in with HP landings. I want to fly downwind, be abeam at 1,000', turn base around 600', turn final at 300' and land in some grass not too far from the packing area. My biggest fear in skydiving is a canopy collision. I work hard at clearing,especially high 6 o'clock. If someone flies into that area I will fly aggressively away from that position (their low 12 o'clock) even if it means landing way away or even off. A long walk is way better than an ambulance ride (or worse). Having said that. I love to watch swoopers, when I'm on the ground. If a DZ bans swooping it is actually a plus for me. I like to watch it, but don't care if it's not there. A very good friend of mine was killed recently by a HP collision. I pray that his death won't be in vain. THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE GBU MH

I know, you caught me. It was a weak attempt at humor. From now on, I'm being serious. Honest. MH

Hey Art, Being a new guy at Palatka I'm not sure I know this Gary. There is that one really old guy who plays ring toss all day and scowls at all the people and growls at all the dogs, but he must be about 80. Is that the right guy? In any case, I've got that weekend off and am looking forward to some tailgate jumps. Would love to do a magic carpet. See Yall there. MH

Hey, it's me again. Some more thoughts on your original post. If your dream has been to fly, then absolutely - go for it. Just make sure that it's for the right reasons. If you have a vision of being the senior pilot at FEDEX making a bazillion bucks a year. Forget it, you're too old and thousands of kids that got hired at FEDEX last decade are way ahead of you. If your vision is to fly for the local FBO hauling whatever comes through the door, that is much easier to do. Won't make any money at it, but you will probably have fun. I went to Embry-Riddle for my degrees and learned to fly in military aero clubs before I went to USAF Pilot Training. That is one path, there are many paths, they are all good if they get you where you want to go. One of the classes I took was a one credit elective on how to write a resume. The assignment was to find a job offering that we wanted and write the resume that would get the job. At that time I found a job offering in the back of an Aviation Week magazine for a Learjet pilot. They required so many hours and such, so I wrote the resume that satisfied all the requirements. My instructor looked it over and was very happy with the content, gave me an A. Then he asked me this question, "Wouldn't it be better to be the guy in the back of the Learjet?" Flying is really fun, when you're in control of the when and where. When you do it professionally, everything changes. To answer your original questions, this is the advice I'd offer. Definately have a degree. A degree in Aeronautical something is better than Music Appreciation. The reason for this is that the better jobs are tough to get and you need to stack things in your favor. Once you have a degree you'll need a Commercial, Instrument with Multi-engine. Another way of saying this is that having lots of money is a must. The next step is to get your Airline Transport Rating. That requires 1500 hours, so it will take a while to get there. Many companies use that as a starting point. You can get a job as a co-pilot with the Comm/Ins ME, but you're in the right seat until you get the ATP. For the duration of your time in the right seat you'll need to live with somebody who can pay the bills, because you won't be able to do much more than buy beer. One way to build hours is to teach. I've had great instructors and some real shit bags. The great ones taught because they loved flying. The shit bags taught because they were building time. Don't be a shit bag. You asked about job satisfaction. In my experience a good landing in a C-182 is just as satisfying as a good landing in a B-747. So don't get too caught up in chasing airplanes. Get a Private License and see how you like it. Go from there. Have Fun, MH

My favorite is the Border Collie mixed with a Lab. I've had three over the years and loved them dearly. They have the best of each breed and make wonderful companions. Not too big, not too obsessive, very athetic, very intelligent, eager to please, great with kids, and they're good looking too. Great thread, it's fun seeing everyone elses best friends.

46,275 Whatever the counter shows it is important to sound off on this!! Next stop is a letter to each of my elected reps. They always answer.

I've flown for 32 years which include 18 years at a major airline and 15 years of flying fighters for the Air Force. Aircraft flown include A-10, OV-10, A-37, F-16, C-130, B-727, B747, and B 757, plus some cats and dogs. Total time is a little over 10,000 hours. My question to you is "Why do you want to fly?" The career has changed dramatically in the last few years and I'd boldly say, "It ain't what it used to be". Here's what you can expect if you are going to pursue an airline career. Lots of expensive training to be minimally qualified, followed by indentured servitude to some unappreciative slave driving asswipe who thinks you are an over paid prima dona and will treat you accordingly. If you're very lucky after a few years of that you'll make it to the major airlines where you start over again at the bottom of their seniority list. Do you like working weekends, holidays, all night long? Have you flown much in horribly shitty weather with an aircraft that is barely legal? Do you want to spend more than half of the rest of your life sleeping in shitty airport hotels, eating in crappy resturants, getting shaken down by security every day (at least once)? I flew 747s for a little over six years. In some ways it was the best flying I ever did. Most of what I remember was living six years in perpetual jet lag. Waking up in the middle of the night, sleeping in the middle of the day, not being sure of what day it is, etc. (much like being a skydiver during boogie season) For a time the money was good. In the last couple years I've lost 50% of my income and my pension is frozen. Of course the company wants to help me make up those lost wages by allowing me to work a couple extra days a month (increased productivity). In hind sight I've had a pretty good career, but I'm not sure I"d recommend it to a new guy/girl. If you're halfway smart and are willing to spend that much money on training, I'd say look at other options. Despite some of what I've said, it can be fun. Good Luck, keep the greasy side down. MH

He almost tied the record for low flying.

All these fights are tough to call. I've got my favorite guys, but how many times have you seen a guy pound his opponent for two rounds only to get submitted in a flash in the third round? I love Cro Cop and couldn't believe that kick to the head that took him out. GSP is always a favorite of mine, mainly because he is such a hard working guy that doesn't talk too much trash. Having never seen Rampage fight, I can't really comment on his abilities. My vote is for the Iceman.

It remains to be seen, but one DZO has declared that he is going to forbid more than a 90 degree turn in the pattern if there is more than one canopy there. He will allow hop and pops etc, for the swooper guys. This sounds like a very easy fix. Bob Holler spent his career as a USAF Pararescueman. The motto of that amazing group is "That Others May Live". My hope is that Bob's tragic death will go a long way in educating and keeping this issue at the forefront for a long time, So That Others May Live. It is my good fortune that my home DZ is the same one where the DZO is implementing this policy. I hope to hear others following it. How much does it cost to have a canopy collision on your DZ? (Especially with two fatalities) See you Friday at Deland. MH

Had to google Dirty Sanchez, Yuck, That is as bad as a Hot Carl

I sent in applications for two jobs out there this week. Hope to make the cut on at least one of them. What a blast!! My dad worked out there and always had cool things to say about the programs. He was an Apollo, Gemini guy. Wish me luck, maybe I'll get to drive the crawler for the June Launch.