CesspoolDave

I've been jumping since 1998, and have jumped at a lot of the major DZ's as well as some very small cessna DZ's and this place has the best of both worlds! Their great aircraft climbs to altitude in under 15 minutes even in July! Triangle also has the friendliness of a small club DZ. I showed up on a Saturday with a reserve out of date, and one of the up jumpers actually loaned me an extra rig to make 4 jumps! Safety is a primary focus, their equipment, organization, and overall management are unparalleled. I've seen smaller DZs with twice as many on the staff not managed as efficiently. Whether you are an experienced up-jumper, or a new student, this is the place you want to jump in Eastern North Carolina

SOHF in Quincy is a great "club type vibe" DZ. There's always a good mix of free flyers, and belly flyers who are always down to jump with new people. Knowleagable staff with lots of experience, ample opportunities to get someone to video your jump too with LOTS of camera flyers. Beer rules DEFINETLY apply, so if you admit "This is the first time I've jumped at SOHF", get in the car and cruise to the quickie mart down the street! HAHA, great little camping area, Fast food joints are only 5 minutes away, and Great Night life in Tallahassee is only about 25 minutes away. Come on Saturday morning, jump your ass off, party in Tally Saturday night, and finish off the weekend with 2 or 3 jumps on Sunday. I've gotten 10 jumps in every weekend for the last 4 weeks. Try it, you'll like it!

That's awesome! I was on an otter load at Z-Hills climbing around 6000' when we saw it... pilot through the plane in a 180 so we could take a look from the door side of the otter. It was pretty cool! We could see it all the way from Z-Hills. Too bad we didn't get to altitude in time before it took off. Blue Ones -CP "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

At Front Range Skydivers in Calhan, CO (DZ now known as Elaborate) but was jumping with friends Bill Murphy and Sue Oakley on a 3 way belly jump. I had 30 jumps and was jumping a borrowed jump suit and borrowed gear (PD230). Normal break off, track and pull, but turned final WAY TOO HIGH, and over shot the landing area big time. Over flew the parking lot, got target fixation on where I wanted to land, instead of where I was actually flying to, and landed in this pit of, well, we'll just call it what it was, a pit of shit. Primarily used for manure, and agricultural run off I guess, but it was some of the nastiest smelling foulness you could imagine... Landed in it up to my waist, and of course got all over the rig, and the jumpsuit. Brushed my self off as best I could, took off the rig, and walked back over to the hangar. When I came around the corner, about a dozen people were like, "Dave are you ok?!?!, where'd you land?" then they asked, "WHAT IS THAT STENCH?" I told them I had landed in the cesspool behind the parking lot, and of course, the name stuck. Cesspool Dave. "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Isn't Skydive Walterboro still open? That's pretty close to Charleston... ??? "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

THat's pretty cool.... talk about unique... Id be willing to bet you have the only woodland camo mirage. pretty cool Blue Skies -Cesspool "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

That gear is 17 years old... I would say it's probably legit at least in terms of price... your best bet is to ask the guy who is on the packing data card, and then find that rigger, and try to track down some info based on that... all riggers keep a log. If you found out the packing date and the serial number of the rig, whoever packed it last could tell you some more about it... if the guy on ebay doesn't give you that info, or tells you the data card is lost, I would steer clear, there's plenty of rigs out there... just my opinion. -Cess "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Ok, I know this thread is old, but just thought I'd share, and see if anyone had any new Mirage pics of theirs. I just jumped my new baby this weekend for the first time (yeah, I paid up with a cooler full) and I love it. The folks at Mirage had it done in like 3 weeks. Unreal! Super comfort, and the rig is just awesome. Anyone like the color choices? tried for a unique look. I guess all that matters is that I like it. Blue Skies everyone. -Cess "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

another CU Boulder Alum here! Congrats Jeff, best of luck! Enjoy Colorado while you're still there! I miss the mountains (and Thursday nights on Pearl Street... Foundry, Soma's, The Sink, Tulagi's, did I miss any others?) HAHAHAHA, see you in the sky brother. Blue Skies Cesspool "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Ok, so I just ordered a new Mirage like 2.5 weeks ago, and here I am thinking I'll have at least another month to find a Cypres... Boy was I wrong... My rigger called me up Saturday morning to tell me it was already done, and if I had my Cypres yet... I couldn't believe my ears. Bob and the gang kicked that rig out faster than I could've imagined, and now I'm scrambling for a Cypres... Does anyone know any good websites other than Ebay or the classifieds on here to find a good used Cypres? Advertising removed by slotperfect I have no extra cash for a new one, and refuse to jump without one. Any ideas? Thanks! CP "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Dude, here's my 2 cents... I started jumping a batwing 153 when I had less than 75 jumps... stupid. I started jumping a stiletto 150 with just over 120 jumps, again...stupid. I eventually learned how to safely pilot the canopy, and not kill myself (long and high straight in approaches)... and I considered myself ( and it was the opionion of others ) that I was a decent enough canopy pilot not to kill myself, but it was still risky. forward to today... I was watching a student, either last weekend, or the weekend before, at my home DZ, jumping a Navigator... he's got less than 20 jumps, but is a heads up, athletic kid. He flared that thing way too high, like many students I've seen... and he did what all his instructors told him, if you flare too high, continue to hold the full flare, and prepare to PLF. He did that.... and after a premature flare at about 15 feet, his descent literally stopped. However, the canopy didn't smack him... it floated him from 15 feet, ever so gingerly to the ground, and he stood up the landing with some deep knee bending.... My point... if the kid was on a Stilleto 190, he would have at a minimum, a broken ankle, or perhaps worse. The stilletto would have paid him dearly for such a seemingly innocent and oh so typical error. NAVIGATOR FOR STUDENT = GOOD STILETTO FOR STUDENT = BAD Yes, I only have 300 jumps... so throw your spears if you disagree. "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Dude, you've got 40 jumps... you've got to learn to walk before you can run... just keep jumping... use your cadet loan, and make skydives, the folks at Canon and Calhan will glady take that free USAA money... I recommend trips to Eloy when you 've got long weekends, or holiday leave. You can leave the hill at 5:00PM and make it in time for the first load the next morning. Lots of jumps in a short period, and good coaching are the key. "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Thanks Terry, that's the info a novice cypres buyer needs to ensure he's not getting ripped... I guess an airworthy cypres after 8 year check and battery for $600 is still a good deal vs buying a brand new one at 1200-1400. The inputs are much appreciated. Cess. . . "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

THanks everyone, what value do I put in the block that says, "Cypres cost". Is that the cost of one that's new? "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

I'm totally confused... if someone is selling a used Cypres that needs an 8 year and batteries, how can I tell what a fair price is to pay for this? how much do those services cost? If the cypres is $300, what would be my grand total after all is said and done, if it was DOM in 10/97, and needs an 8 year and batteries? What is the schedule of Cypres maintenance on the old system vs the new Cypres 2? I'm confused. Thanks!!!!!! Cess "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

I stumbled accross this video and submit only to show as video evidence of what can happen when your closing pin or closing loop fail, or comes out on the airplane. I don't know what happened in this particular case, nor do I know what the outcome was. We can only hope that this individual was able to cut away the main, and get his reserve out. A very harrowing video to say the least. Even though I have a low number of jumps, I think this video speaks volumes for why we get several pin checks before exit. [/url] http://www.littlemidgets.com/detail.php?type=2&sort=date&cf=7&page=3&content=6577 [url] . . . . "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

That's because the G4 already has a padded packpad. On the other hand a loop cut at the bottom now has to thread through flaps and grommets giving the potential for a container lock. One of the reasons Mirage moved it. And for bragging rights sake....go with an Infinity! Why infinity over a Javelin or Mirage? "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

I've got about 260 jumps, and I plan on getting to 400 by January... I mostly freefly, and I've got a Stiletto 150 I'm planning on putting in the container with a PD160R. Does anyone have any advice on which container they prefer? I know there are personnal preferences, but has anyone heard of any reason not to choose one? From what I know, they're comparable containers. I just got back from Z'hills and took a tour of Sunpath and was amazed. They make everything from scratch. Even the reserve handles... I couldn't believe it but there is actually a guy that cuts, bends, sets, polishes, contstructs the pin and cable right there at the factory, each one is unique to every rig. They even punch the TSO and the number right there on site... (I know I wasn't the only one that thought all those things were built by some component manufacturer in a sweat shop in Thailand or something...) Javelin builds EVERYTHING from scratch, it was amazing. That sort of detail has me leaning STRONGLY toward them... I also like the fact that Javelin's come standard with Stainless hard ware... it's not a $265 option... any idea about Mirage??? Thanks everyone for your honest feedback... I'm on the fence... Cesspool "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Skydivechica---Thanks for the tip! Check your PM's "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Hello everyone... I've got a 7 month old pup that needs a home. I helped deliver this little girl in December, and after a month trying to raise her, by myself, in an apartment, leaving her 12-14 hours a day, I decided I couldn't do it to her. She was born from a stray mom, and I sort of found myself in love with her. Her mom was hit by a truck in Eufala AL, and she was nursed back to health. The vet had no idea she was pregnant! The pup's were miracles! 2 of them died, and 2 were born! I named her Harlee, because she's jet black, and I just thought it was a cool name... She's been living at a friend's house for the past 4-5 months, but that's worn it's welcome. She's a great dog, but it's either give her up for adoption to someone, or my friend is taking her to the pound. No other options. If you're interested... She's currently in Panama City... email me at [email protected] Blue Skies everyone... "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Hey Amber! See you round the DZ! Blue Skies! Cess "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Are there gonna be some old hats from FRS there? I haven't jumped at Calhan since 2001! I miss that place, (man if the walls in the bunkhouse could talk!) HAHAHAHAHA Anybody remember the night Paul's Dad and Uncle flew in? Man, we partied our asses off that night... Oh well, enough nostalgia. I'd love to hop a plane to C-Springs and be there! Who's putting it on?!? "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

You bet! Can't use money and a girlfriend that hates skydiving as an excuse anymore! I got a job! and got rid of her! "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees

Hi everyone, I've been out of the sport for 5 years, but just got current again yesterday... It's great to be back!!! Thanks to the folks at The School of Human Flight in Quincy FL, for getting me back in the air! Made 4 jumps, and can't believe I almost forgot how much I love this stuff!!!! I used to jump at Front Range Skydivers in Calhan Colorado... any old friends out there?!?! "I have no fear of falling, but I hate hitting the ground" -The Badlees