druvaughn

Non-Fiction: Survivors Club, Outliers, Chasing Daylight, Jimmy Buffet and Philosophy. Looking forward to finishing the JB book, and I will probably get a couple others in the series (Star Wars, Seinfeld). Fiction -- Rudyard Kipling, T.S. Elliot. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I demoed all 3 being talked about when I was going from a 230 Spectre to something a little smaller. It was quite a while ago, and I selected the Safire2, have 1 in each of my rigs and put about 400 jumps on them... The Pilot had the best openings (always on heading, but not always soft) and flare, but was less responsive than the other 2 in flight. The Safire opened better than the Sabre (and mostly on heading and softer than either), turned quicker, and flared similarly to the Sabre. The Sabre2 210 opened different everytime which turned me off, especially as they traditionally have a better reputation than that... I have been told great things of PDs service as well as Aerodyne, and I was really disappointed with the delivery time of my Safire, but I understand that they turned that around since I ordered mine. All told, I love my Safires, and have since demoed the Crossfire and will be upgrading shortly... Good Luck. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Skydive Long Island is in Calverton, which is probably going to be the closest. http://www.skydivelongisland.com/ Has a great view of the Hamptons at altitude if I remember correctly, but its been a couple of years since I had the fortune to jump there. Good luck. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I currently have a Safire 2 209 (1.37), and have done 300+/- jumps with it. Demo the 189 (1.51) for 25-30 jumps Took the canopy straight from the demo team at Skyfest. This interaction was certainly a positive experience -- took my CC on the spot and sent me on my way. Openings -- seemed to be a little more consistently on heading than my 209 has been which is surprising. Had one bad opening with twists, but happy to blame that as much on operator error. A good snivel and never really got smacked; typical opening about 800-900ft. As soft at terminal as H&P... Flying -- lighter fronts than my 209, and the rears had a very late stall point. Responsive to any inputs, and I was extremely happy with the harness turns which I have been unable to really use on the 209 (size or wing loading I suspect). Can make it float a little for cross counties with rears or brakes which is nice, and I was surprised that I had to lengthen my traditional final, as I was over shooting my early approaches. Flare -- every bit as strong as my 209, and the late stage is actually stronger. Without swooping, I typically use a 2-stage flare, and was pleasantly surprised that the 189 flew longer, requiring a step or 2 less. Have been told that manufacture time is fairly short (which it wasn't when I ordered my 209 a couple of years ago), but going to try another Icarus canopy before I buy. I am very happy with my Demo experience and with the flight and performance of both my 209 and this 189. Great canopies.

Thank you each for the help. Mike, that was exactly the info I was looking for and admit being too lazy to look for it myself. Thanks. Warped, I can't use the excuse that I don't have that much time on my hands as I am spending it in a suana, but I like the thinking... BFil, I was hoping for the personal experience answers, but with only yours, I'm gonna have to stick with Mike's "owner's manual"... Thanks for the help. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Having spent 4 years in college in Ithaca, I must admit a large amount of jealousy that you got to spend time there... I will echo the great food, and am so fond of many of the gorges (GREAT photo)! Glad you had a good trip. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts about taking their ITouch into a Sauna??? I would like to take it in the Steam Room, but that seems like too much moisture. Would the heat of the Sauna affect it??? Please let me know if anyone has any experience. Thanks, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I was lambasting a coworker for not having seen the classic "Blazing Saddles"... What were they doing with their childhood??? - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Bringing the Noise, Bringing the Funk and Stomp were both a GREAT time. Phantom and Cats were "must see" shows, and fantastic on so many levels. They would be "best" shows. Loved "Big River" years ago, it was my first, and I suppose I will always have a great place in my heart. Lion King needs to be mentioned as well... - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Never lived in Charleston, but down the road in Savannah... Visited a few times, and definitely think its a great city; the same stories you get from most who visit. Has its up and downs; a couple of friends live there now, and they really like it. As for skydiving: Walterboro is about an hour from "downtown" and while its a smaller DZ with 2 182s, there is a great (GREAT) group of people there, and a GREAT vibe. Sorry I can't offer anything more concrete. I would take it... Best Luck, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Above is correct, SWF is the "best" or "closest" option. 2 city choices, LGA & JFK, but both involve traffic, a drive out (hour, hour & half), and several bridges. ALB is also an option, about hour & half, straight down the Thruway. Enjoy your trip!!! Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I can only offer help with Savannah... 2 choices: Skydive Walterboro - 1hr away - 182 (9,500 ceiling), great group of people!!!, big landing arrea and lots of outs (all empty fields), views aren't great... Skydive St Mary's - 1.45hr away - 182, haven't been there yet, Walterboro gets it done for me, but its always an option. Safe trip, enjoy. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Sorry to hear about your experiences, and hope that this isn't a "growing trend". I have had 3 expereinces and all have been positive (I certainly hope the others felt the same). I have bought 2 used rigs (incl main/res/etc) and sold a main. All 3 went well. I did in 2 cases use a rigger as an "escrow" agent to ensure neither party got "ripped off" the third I met them at the DZ after setting up the sale on line. Hope you have some luck, my expereinces were all good, and I wish the same for you. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Hello All, Thanks for the help with my Savannah question; Walterboro is a good group of people, and a good place to jump. Next location I need info about is Key West??? I remember there used to be a DZ about 9 miles East of the city, but DZ.com nor USPA has anything currently there. Is it still there? Is it still D Lic required? Will there ever be a Keys Boogie again? If not in the Keys, what is the closest option? Thanks for the help. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Just moved to Savannah GA, and need a new DZ. I'm sure little will replace the multiple turbines that the Ranch can offer, but hoping for good people and good scenery. Google shows Walterboro about an hour and 15 minutes, and shows St Mary's about 2 hrs. Any thoughts or Pros/Cons on these two places? Thanks. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I can offer, and though not actually a solution it helps, I have some over sized (plus sized) experience. Just before exit, I pull the suit tight right at the handles, and tuck any excess out behind my lift webs. Not really a solution, but it may help. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I'm about 255 w/o gear, do I qualify??? Sonice up at the Ranch talked about having done a jump like this back in the day as well. He loved his... Count me in, but as I'm starting a new career tomorrow, the traveling is going to be tough the rest of this year. Keep me posted please. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Great post JP, and good thoughts... Having sat on the deck while coaches talked students down, something I haven't heard: - "Identify the other canopies around you" It will ussually only be tandem canopies, and while they are slower than tandems or sport both vertically and horizontally, there doesn't seem to be an effort from the very beginning to "scan the sky". A possible solution to "starting early"??? Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I travel with a rig once a month or so, domestic US flights. Always carry on with Spirit or USAir. Haven't had an issue at SWF, LGA, MYR, ILM, Syracuse or Albany. I have found they don't look at my AAD X-Ray card, but I always have it with me. Both the FAA and UPSA have docs that are nice to have that address carrying on your rig. Sorry I can't point you directly to the links but both are easy to find on those sites. Enjoy the trip. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Not sure if I am speaking out of turn... Jeff Provenzano did a course at the Ranch a few weeks ago. Does he do a "traveling seminar"? Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Although not "technically" a local, about 1/2 my jumps have been down there... The vibe from a couple of years ago is correct... 182 flies a mix of tandems and a few upjumpers. Family friendly would be fairly accurate, mine will be milling around all weekend. Also welcome to bring your dog, as there is ussually a large group of them running around. Depending on the day, your kids can run with a smaller group of those. I will be down this weekend and always happy to have people to jump with. We will have to check the tide chart to see if we can get a few beach jumps in. I will be out there on Saturday and Sunday. Start time is ussually 9 or 9:30, with Sunday being a little later of a start than Saturday. Sunset sticks a fork in it. Come up and introduce yourself... Look forward to seeing you soon. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I will be in Wilmington North Carolina this weekend and wonder what is going on. Looking to get some jumps at Raeford or CSS on Friday the 16th. Any thoughts on which is busier/better on a Friday? Thanks. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I "know a guy" who exits over the stated weights... About 330 out the door with a standard Wings container and Spectre 230. Worked perfectly each time. Good Luck. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

I'm sure others can offer the same, but I jump with several Marines from Lejune at Coastal Carolinas. A bit of a drive, but there isn't a prettier DZ in Carolina. Of course, with only 1 182, there are several other DZs with better planes. The website might be your best option for a phone number. Welcome to the area. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."

Hello Chuck, Actually I didn't, I was just offering that it was a possibility. I have done it several times myself, though not for the tunnel. Its nice to be able to avoid the 2 hr car ride with a 25 minute flight. I hope it works out for you. Best, Dru - - "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical."