WhuffoNoMo

Haha, I've been jumping around 2.5 years now and just shy of 800 jumps later I've had a chance to look back.. now I've jumped a decent amount of aircraft, rigs, canopies, all sorts of misc. gear, and now done a little over 150 AFFs... I can truly say that a good 90% of what I have learned has been from the amazingly receptive, helpful, and some even cocky group of skydivers that are willing to help each other out. With that, I encourage you to search your username in dz.com and just look at a history of your posts. I just had a GREAT laugh at some of the most retarded things I have said that, at the time, I thought were completely legitimate. I have certainly gone from an overly analytical person to a "just feel the wind and be one with it" kinda guy so I think that adds to the humor. I know for some this task will be difficult but for the relatively new people that grew up post dz.com, you might find it somewhat entertaining. (I've also read some swoop posts from now seasoned swoopers and I know they would get a kick out of it)

1. Scott Gray 2. Chris Gray 3. Justin Shorb (Flock U) 4. Scotty Burns (Sky2Productions) 5. Ms XX FAST (plus 2 guests) - Myspace 7. Ms XX FAST - Guest 1 8. Ms XX FAST - Guest 2 9. Andreas Bauer (First Flight) 10. SimonBones!!! 11. Rick Hough (Flock U) 12. Mikey 2 Shoes 13. Penelope 14. Randy "Doc" Mahoney (SPEW Palatka) 15. Tony U - Tony Suits 16. Brian Barnhart 17. Eric Florio 18. Marshall Haynick

I do not find your post rude, like I said I am wanting to like the canopy it's just not making it easy for me, lol. And 28 out of 30 jumps have been marginal at best and I have had other (respectable) pilots watch my openings. Body position, packing and whatnot are ruled out. It does open in VERY deep breaks it seems. It screams aroud and I have to do opposite RR input (or harness) to equalize it to give me time to undo my cheststrap, slider, etc. At this point, breaks still stowed - it rocks me back and forth (symmetrical body position and harness) - there is also noticable slack in my RR in breaks. Once released it flys fine but some of the cells do not fully pressurize and you can see them in my video flapping around (which i have yet to put up - prolly tomorrow). Any other idea? I have had no such issues and absolutely love the xf2 - yet to fly a katana....

.. to find a sport dominated by drug dealers and trailer dweelers where one could prove their worth through deep application of crystal meditative techniques through internalized self control of my bio systems via the handling of sacred nylon materials. Haha that's great. I however got into the sport for one reason yet have managed to find myself remaining in the sport for completely different reasons (not unlike yours)

hahaha, yea... i think i was born into the wrong family... instead of being the milk man's kid (i dont even like milk!) i shoulda been the riggers kid (maybe then i wouldn't hate packing as much...)

I just did a jump the other day on a Sabre 2 150 that I've had for a while just don't jump much - was a "post-sunset" jump with a larger group - opened near people and made sure I was clear of canopy traffic before I did my control check - my left toggle unstowed but only went down 75% of the way - let it back up and it would only go down 10% now (kinda like a chinese finger trap). Was all knotted up. Was 1800 or so feet and decided I would try to clear it since I felt safer landing on rears than cutting away over a bunch of trees. Tension was too great to unknot it so I did some quick rear practice flares then entered my pattern. I landed ok.. just swiftly. I am in the process of going from a pilot 124 to a xf2 129 and was definitely questioning my decisions and thoroughly reviewed the checklist. You don't need to "want" to do it but are you comfortable with doing it if you must? Also, the response on rears is MUCH greater noticed when you are landing - it is a completely different feeling than with toggles and from what I noticed from a previous jump - its fine in the air but when ur instincts and adrenaline get going and its ur first time landing on rears - ur probably going to flare too much and end up stalling it and eating it. I'm glad I did it when I wanted to and knew better when I had to. Just my 2 cents (that the government values at $.033 and so should you! )

obviously there are way too many options to add into a poll but I notice how many people love polls on here and the chance to be part of something that doesn't really matter :) so..post a poll and people will read it. i figured fun and military would be way up there anyway. plus..being a male i need the phallic reassurance of a really long answer hence "other" but you are correct - I guess i was looking for more interesting responses

I have long been an avid supporter of Aerodyne products despite dismal at best business dealings...(more to come) but I have recently demoed 2 mambas - a 132 then a 124 - the 132 was reevaluated after somethings i noticed and was sent to be examined by aerodyne...the 124 demo scares the sh#t out of me. I have never been at the mercy of a canopy before like this one. It was to the point of praying for a hard opening because that would mean less time for the thing to toss me around like a rag doll and fly wherever it wanted. I will be posting a video midweek on youtube or skydiving movies to be analyzed by those of you who know MUCH more than myself. I WANT to believe the product is good but I have yet to see anything resembling fun or safe :( (and im most likely getting an xf2 129 though i will still demo a katana 120 before i make a final decision)

Just wondering why you got in the sport - we all have our reasons but when asked we reply with a simple response that is already well practiced. I was on a 5-week European vacation with a friend that got home sick after 2 weeks. I opted to stay and was there "alone" for 3 weeks and decided to break out of my shell and do something that looked interesting. It was a tandem in Switzerland or a spiritual week in solitude in Ireland... I'm glad i chose option one since it was a 2-for-1 for me

It might help to mention that you were washing it in the first place to get rid of that ginormous grass stain! Next time just clean the area that needs to be cleaned :-p not so pround about your "higher than recommended" wingloading now are ya? - mr training officer

I just took Bram's course at Zhills and was very surprised. With only a fraction of the jumps of many respectable AFF instructors (albeit plenty of tunnel time to add) - I was eager to take the course yet afraid I was nowhere near skilled enough. My confidence in my flying skills was definitely reevaluated and humbling. Although I feel 100% competent to perform the requirements of the AFF rating, I feel much more humble and admire those AFF instructors that I would consider damn good at their “jobs”. What I learned most was how to teach, how to keep learning and when to say no. The rating itself if evaluated/taught by the wrong person can definitely be way too easy. However, I feel that the standards expected by Bram have helped me tremendously and I will continue to evaluate my students similarly. Without a doubt, the standards of the program could be raised and you could implement jump numbers, licenses, hours and yada yada requirements – but would that really solve anything? I think the number of unqualified instructors would still be the same and those of us who might not meet more strict requirements would suffer. The system is exactly that, a system. It cannot nearly account for all factors to truly evaluate candidates. Can 10 hours of tunnel time be used for the required hours? Should wingsuit flying count? I think it’s ultimately the evaluators who are recommending the ratings that should have the final say. They are able to see past the numbers and glitter and truly evaluate a candidate. Now, whether or not the director’s course is too easy is a different discussion. For those of you who skipped all of that and just read the first and last sentences – Bram’s course (skydiveratings) is excellent. Bram, Elly and Nathan all did a wonderful job at preparing me for what I now consider one of the scariest disciplines in the sport (but potentially the most rewarding).

uh.. that was Joe Jennings who filmed you. and yes, we cheered :)

"Have you met our pilot?" (props to tommy)

benvenuto uccello! Was great flying with you (even if I had to hit 173mph to catch you) :) You must have flown bombers :-D

1. Scott B. (Notsane) 2. Mike M. (Gray Mike) 3. Sean H. (Monkycndo) 4. Scott Gray (The Brothers Gray) - Aerobat / SM1 - 5'6" 165lbs w/equip 5. Chris Gray (The Brothers Gray) - Aerobat / SM1 - 5'7" 155lbs w/equip 6. Justin Shorb (Flock U) 7. Ryan Desjardins (Soon to bee Canadian Flocker) 8. Bob Futrell (FlyinBob) 9. Mark M 10. Phil Peggs 11. Matt Hoover (111) 12. Mike Rinehart (Missingparts) 13. Frank Boluk 14. Scotty Burns (scottygofast) 15. Robert Kelley (ROK) 16. Jeff Nebelkopf (Heffro1) 17. Tony Uragallo (Tony Suits) 18. Chuck Blue (SkymonkeyONE) 19. Todd S (DaMan) 20. Michelle (EmLo) 21. "The" Le Roy (leroydb) 22. Dan M (arai) 23. BJ Alexander 24. Tyler (jumpinfly) 25. Mark (normiss) 26. Lurch (Flock U) 27. Crip (affalcon) 28. Kevin O (kevin922) 29. Travis J "Chunks" 30. MexTony 31. Katee (rkymtnhigh) 32. Katie (katiebear21) 33. Paul (Pilot Paul) 34. Nick Rugai 35. James Lovaas 36. Tony Dommer 37. Zach (Buried) 38. Cathy JEAN-ALBERT (fly your body - Soul Flyers) 39. Purple Mike 40. Jason Romero 41. Brian Snarr 42. Eric Florio (w/some baby birds [and possibly bird babes])

Then I shall make my own!

Flew in my raptor with smoke...big glob of tar got stuck on there and now I have a nickle sized hole in a leg cell.... anyone have some good designs for smoke brackets? obviously these regular rw and canopy ones aren't cuttin it....

pick me! pick me! who is gunna jump with me? :( I still want a hayride! Maybe if I can rip a tailgate off one of my trailers I can make a pretty sweet hayride pickup bus for those who land off (since that's usually me, I won't be driving)

a room? i can't just bring a tent like usual?

I'm a college student and just wondering what some dz.commers thoughts on the PIA symposium were/are. I'm interested in having someone from our club head out there. I've read stuff on the site yada yada but from past experience, what can be expected, is it beneficial or just "cool" and are the topics going to be over the head of some newer (

No No - I'll drive. I can handle the fishnets but that hay gets a bit itchy for my taste.

Can we have a lingerie hayride?! Or better yet - a post tenn. spring water pumpkin carving contest

I hired Yuki for an hour session in the tunnel and she helped me tremendously!! She works as an instructor for Skydive University and with her 300+ tunnel hours is really solid. She's also AFF rated so she knows what needs to be learned at different levels. She helped me with learning Mantis since I seemed to get 3 different methods from 3 different instructors. I liked her flying so I picked hers :) Any serious fliers should look her up! (or message me for her info)

Mwahahaha So. I have 44 jumps and really only got into this sport to fly wingsuit. 200 jumps seems like FOREVER away. Is there any rule against me getting some tracking pants (say...PF or Birdman Pantz) and at least playing around with that? I wanna zoom zoom zoom - all this spinning stuff is blah. AND - I also read the pantz do well for freefly - I'm thinking it sounds like a reasonable purchase (although I can't freefly - I can barely belly flop). Any thoughts? Recommendations? OH yea! Bebe's kids rock (well, since they aren't my kids of course). E

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