danornan

A LOT OF GOOD LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED OR REMEMBERED - Ross, thanks for your post. Hopefully all will take the positives from it and the follow-ups and they will not be repeated. After all, that is the purpose of this forum. Dano

Don't know why you'd want to leave Z-Hills. Everything you'll need for a good time is there. Not that I'm prejudice or anything! Seriously, You won't want to leave. Dano

Been wearing them for years starting with the old DC3's. Wear them on the motorcycle too. If you want to protect your hearing as you get older, I'd suggest you wear them too. Your head won't explode in freefall, you'll actually hear conversations in the plane and I find it is not necessary to remove them until I'm on the ground. Tinnitus is a result of loud constant noises, i.e., noisy airplanes. You don't get it until you do and then there is no cure, only prevention. Dano

Everyone is welcome from students to the experienced and if the planes are flying you can get on a load. Lots of organizers and you will become a better skydiver. Best time of the year is from September through April. Lots of planes and skydivers.

I still have one he built in the covered carport beside his house. Still jump it on an occasion! Dano

Something about an "out of air situation!" Down there, an out of air situation can be survived, up there, probably not! Dano

Wife and I do both..... I generally dive (SCUBA) in summer months and skydive the rest of the time. Underwater pooper scooper at the local Florida Aquarium during the week. Dano

Very nice skydive...... Optical Confusion? Dano

Congratulations... Now on to that second point.... Good luck. Dano

Thanks to all who either helped or participated. I had a super time..... Dano

Congratulations Guy, and all of the team captains, especially Box. What a great day. 2 point 140 - way..... Last jump of the day. Dano

Just the threat of a NOW KNOWN hazard will create an effect from the DZ's insurance carrier. Hopefully there will never be a law suit. The Preventive action from the insurance company will eliminate the swoop in the general area. Just my wish! Dano

How about if they keep getting booted off DZs if they don't follow the rules and regulations? Eventually they'll run out of places to jump. My concern is that not enough DZOs are willing to give up the revenue that they get from those habitual offendors. Maybe a lawsuit or two for gross or culpable negligence that will not be protected by a waiver will get their attention. At this stage, allowing reckless behavior known to endanger the lives of others is, IMO, culpable negligence. VOTE WITH YOUR FEET (I wrote this to a Friend several days ago) In light of the accidents of the past few weeks, (actually I witnessed a needless two fatality canopy collision about 3 years ago at Lake Wales) I have reached the conclusion that until a DZO or Drop Zone is sued because of allowing KNOWN hazards in the general landing area, I will continue to do what I have tried to do for the past few years and that is to land way out and walk back. My other choice is to not skydive where swoops are allowed in the general landing area but that only hurts me. I cannot change others behavior, but I am responsible for avoiding hazards if I think it they might happen. I have ridden motorcycles for many years and the reason I am still alive is because I pretend that everyone on the road is out to get me. I am generally not disappointed and unfortunately I have to practice this bit of preventative avoidance when under canopy. I personally do not want any more excitement after my parachute opens and look forward to a safe predictable landing so I can go up and skydive again. It is prudent to always fly with your head on a swivel and never take normal flight for granted, but when you are taken out, from above, by someone doing a swoop, you are helpless. Allowing unpredictable behavior in the general LZ is in my opinion negligent and I am afraid that the only way to stop this behavior is a law suit. An innocent bystander (someone flying a normal landing pattern in the general landing area) should not have to die because of reckless behavior. Seems to be the only way to change behavior is a law suit. IT IS NOW A KNOWN HAZARD. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dano

Nice job and great for quick and dirty estimates. thanks Dano

Call the DZ. There were several rentals there last week hooked up to power. Dano

MUFF #102 I must be old as dirt; 1990 40-Way at Z-Hills. We didn't have cards in those days. Walked 10 miles to school too! Dano

Check out the following site: http://www.texasstaterecord.com/ and then go to events. You need to register first. Set for the first weekend in March. Dano

Lots of good suggestions but most are not necessary. Simply put all gear in a gear bag and secure the bag to your bike with STRAPS, designed for your bike, NOT bungees. Don't worry about the rest. Bungees slip and stretch, properly secured STRAPS are not as likely. It is not a big deal! Dano

Take care Justin...... if your surgeon tells the nurse to remove your spectacles before they take out the screws, make sure she doesn't get mixed up and remove something that sounds like spectacles, but starts with "T." By the way, I found that 8X10 in an old album and just took a digital picture of it. I think that old PLL neon sign was down at Lake Wales. Might have been lost in one of the hurricanes. Dano

Go to http://paulharvey.com/ and then click on Tuesday afternoon broadcast. He mentions Johnny about 9 minutes into the broadcast. Dano

Thanks TK..... Hmmmmm Saturday in Tampa it's Gasparilla Day, 1,000's pirates invading the city. All dressed up for Johnny! Johnny, you did it with class ! Dano

Sunset Load 2 Point 8 - Way Tracking into the sunset PRICELESS !! Blue Skies Johnny, You're gona be missed by a lot of friends. Dano

Saw Jerry at Z-Hills this past Sunday. He was catching up on old times and seemed to be doing OK. Dano

I'm sure that Hommie, who ever he is since he hides his name, is only kidding, because I take the opposite approach. As one of those old geisers, I welcome and look forward to all Z-Hills visitors this time of year. If I have to wait for a load or landing spot, SO WHAT! It's great to have the visitors, only wish we had more..... Dano

He was geeking the camera! Told to pose. Dano