joni

A few years back we had both bad weather and the plane break down during our boogie, so the next boogie got named the redemption boogie to make up for the previous year's bad luck and as it went well the name has continued to be used.

Mark your calendar to bring your wingsuit and join us for lots of fun. 8 club members currently own wingsuits and we will be flocking. More details to come later.

I finally got a number - 242.

Tom, Save a set for me as I might need them, I have the slider bumpers that came with my gear and they appear to be the soft ones.

I was there last year- the big ways were good but when it came to small groups everyone went with their "homies" and it got lonely - see you don't even remember me. And we may even have something in common this year.

I have nothing against variety, I also do RW, free flying, freestyle and even occasional crew, but I am coming to Zflock to do what I cannot do at home -that is fly with other more experienced wingsuit flyers. 8 - 10 - 20 ways especially if technical and challenging with a few really big flocks are fine.

Those of us who pay the airfare to come from areas without a lot of wingsuits come to have the chance to fly with others. It has been a long cold winter and I want - I need - to jump my ass off. I can fly by myself at home, for a lot less money and hassle. Technical flocks are great, we did some real cool ones in Russia, but i am coming to this to flock and expand my skills beyond what i can at home. Hopefully, there are a few of you a little more willing to fly with non-Floridians than Omar. Sorry Omar, but if you really hate flocks come to NE. !82's take up 4 at most.

aerodynamite Chris DaMan EmLo FlyinBob Freeatlast Go Fast Scotty Heffro1 Island Guy Leigha Lurch Mark M Normiss Notsane Packing Ryan (who both should both be mended and back airborne by then) PhoenixRising Rigger Ryan Robi SkymonkeyONE Steve H. Tennessee Matt The111 Tony Unclecharlie tr027 EG Wing Suits Brothers Gray...both Scott & Chris Joni

I had the exact same argument with myself- the bank account lost. It is an addiction. Hope to see you Scott.

Yes Hans I'm coming to Schaffen, too! Add me to the list!! I haven't gotten the details even close to figured out, but I'm going to get to Cochstedt one way or the other. So how can I pass up the opportunity to practice and see so much more along the way, as well as see some friends from last year and meet so many more others. It is exciting just thinking about it!

We're tough in Nebraska but I'm tired of winter and snow, and would like to fly without stuffing ski clothes under my suit. I got my plane tickets and registration in, I'll be there.

Rolf said to register as Birdman, where on the form are you indicating you are Birdmen(Birdwomen)?

Thanks to Scott Campos for bringing it all together and to Scott (sdctlc) for the pictures and to everyone for some great flights!

I have light weight camping gear that I think i could get on a plane even with skydiving gear and have lived off the back of a motorcycle for weeks, that is not a problem. Even with a tent I am concerned as to whether there will be a place to put it with all those belly flyers there. I am also concerned about the 200 way. I have been to too many boogies where I sat all afternoon because the planes were on hold for a record attempt. If they are making 4 jumps a day, the planes could be unavailable for about an hour a load or 4 hours out of the day, as they organize, load and go to 20000ft, Also if there are weather holds and time is limited, I fear they will get the weather breaks and we will be pushed aside and not get up. I had really looked forward to coming to this as I get few chances for flocks of any size, I just don't want to end up sitting around. My time away from the office is limited and I need to make sure it is not wasted sitting on the ground looking at the sky dreaming, I do that everyday.

If you use small groups please have a good plan that ensures everyone attending has the opportunity to participate and fly with flyers from which they can learn and advance their skills. Some of those who spend the money to come from far away, may not have the flocking experience because it is not available at home, that is the reason they come to an event such as this. They also may not know anyone. On a big way everyone at least gets a chance. Last year was great and I learned so much but on Sunday when we split into small groups it became somewhat "clickish" and I noticed there were some people who were left out. If you divide people into skill levels you risk the event becoming "snotty", so be careful. So far wingsuit flyers have been the friendliest people on earth and I have always felt welcome everywhere I have gone. I just want it to stay that way. While Florida may be the exception, we are still the small minority if we exist at all at most DZ's. So we need to be sure to continue to welcome everyone into THE FLOCK if we are to continue to grow and migrate farther north. Also, right now the situation with the 200 way appears to be making it more difficult and expensive to attend due to lack of lodging etc., so I am not certain about my plans anyway. Just one northern bird's view.

This is a great chance to really work on your flying, perfect skills or gain new ones. Last year while there were several there with wingsuits we did not manage to get everyone together on very many jumps. It would be nice this year if we can be a little more organized and build a few nice flocks. So if you are going to be there with a wingsuit check in with Scott so we can get the flock together. I will be around between the Dec. 28 and Jan. 1, wingsuit flying, freeflying and just having fun. I will look forward to finally meeting and flying with you Scott.

The couch freaks will have a Beech 99 at their home DZ in Winterset, IA on October 13-15. They invited me to come and bring some suits and are hoping to get some flocks in the the sky. I'd like to invite all the new birds, as well as my old feathered friends to come to Winterset. I will try to have a couple suits available and will also be available for 1st jump courses if anyone is interested. Joni

Sometimes it is last minute but I will try to let you know of anything that is planned. On nice weekends you can generally find one or two of us there with suits. Next month, I will be at Winterset, Iowa for their Halloween boogie October 14 & 15th and there will probably be some others there as well.

Congratulations Mansel on your 1st wingsuit flight today! Mansel was so sure he would like it he bought a used PHI before ever making a flight on a wingsuit. From the look on his face he was not disappointed! LSPC in NE now has 6 wingsuit flyers with their own suits (3 of us have more than one suit and are more than willing to share) and twice as many as that have made several flights- next year we will really be flocking!! Can't wait for the 1st wingsuit 8 way from 2 C-182's!!

BUT more important Mike, were you smiling into a camera? I can't get to FL for this one but want to say hi and tell you guys to save me a spot in the formation for spring - you have not gotten rid of me! I finally got the Phantom I won at the last Z-FLock, and Robi did a great job of getting it to fit me which I have been told is not easy with some one "as petite" as I. Unfortunately, weather here has been extra stormy and when it is jumpable my flights have been mostly chasing students. However, that is the good news. Now that I am an instructor, every time I show up at a boogie with wing suits instead of just getting funny looks, I get requests from one or two other DZ's to come to their DZ. I am trying to get to as many as I can before winter (that way they can get hooked and order suits before spring). If this keeps up I might not have to migrate south to find other birds, but I still might show up just for the nice weather and smiling faces - except maybe that purple one that hogs the camera. ( Glad you are OK, Mike.) Anyway, I did get to chase one of the two guys with more wingsuit flights than me up here last week. He flys an S3 and is real fast, so normally I have problems catching him in my S3. He figured I'd never catch him with the phantom. We were jumping Mike Mullins King Air and I even gave him a bit of a head start, but to both of our surprises I hit a sweet spot in the phantom and shot past him. Now I am probably getting faster chasing all those students, but I also have to say the phantom is real easy to fly, can definitely go fast, and is lots of fun as well. So I am enjoying it!! Thanks to z-Flock, PF and Morpheus! Don't have too much fun without me! See you sometime soon I hope! And I want a number!! Joni Nice formations! I wish I could get there - next time.

This is a bit last minute but I will be in Minden, NE this weekend taking advantage of Mike Mullins' King Air for some great altitude. I'll have a few wingsuits to rent and will do a first jump course for anyone interested. Cory and Stump will be there with their suits too so come join us for some fun.

Congratulations to Steve, Ed, Jason & Ty from Iowa, Jack and John from Minnesota, and Mike from Kansas all of whom made their 1st and many their 2nd and more wingsuit flights at Couch Freaks. Great job guys! I just loved the smiles on your faces after you landed!! Thanks also to all the other wingsuit flyers who attended Mark, Cory, Steven, Brian, Bogie and John Storrie, sorry if I left anyone out, it was a great time. Special thanks to all the couch freaks for another fantastic boogie!!! Next year we will fill a plane!!! Joni

Congratulations Dan! I remember a few things are just a little different in Russia ..... so when in Russia do like the Russians. Enjoy, but do be careful and take it one step at a time. How's my favorite antenna? Joni

For the first time there will be both Phoenix Fly and Birdman demos at Dollar Daze! I will be offering 1st jump courses, and I and the other LSPC birds will be putting together some fun flocks - so come join us! How about you Chicago guys, are any of you joining us?

I will be there with Wingsuit demos, including a a variety of Phoenix Fly suits. I will also be offering wingsuit 1st jump courses and am willing to organize flocks. I would love to get enough birds there to fill a plane!!! Joni