danornan

Not appropriate... Dano

I had two PD Spectras and really like them both. The openings were pretty predictable, but not a lot of glide though. I switched to a Storm and it felt like the glide increased. I did get better penetration too. The Storm was like a Spectra on steroids. Much less toggle input required. Dano

Blue Skies Larry...... You are going to missed by everyone who you came into contact with. It was a pleasure and honor to know you.... Dano

Good article.. I would add..... Carry a working cell phone with the DZ's phone number and either a paper or good mental image of the surroundings. It is possible to land out and not know where your are. It happened to me in TX and I landed beside a seriously injured skydiver. Having my cell phone (that worked in this area) made a big difference to the guy who was injured. Dano

OK - So you would suggest that a new skydiver not have an RSL, (or skyhook) even though, over the years, there have been incidents just about EVERY YEAR of skydivers cutting away and not pulling the reserve in time! There are always exceptions, but to continue to look at them as the rule just does not pass the common sense test. Dano

Seems like the old timers like to split hairs on this forum and look for exceptions and completely miss the point by trying to show how their exceptions makes the difference. Sadly a new or inexperienced skydiver will not understand and get confused by this unnecessary noise. If you are new, inexperienced and learning, which after 30 years, I still feel like I am, get and use an RSL. You are not doing CREW, shooting video or a tandem. Go with the odds... You are average and not exceptional like most of us. In fact, get a Sky Hook, it probably saved my life! Dano

In the case of people who die without an RSL, it is usually from low EP's - skydiver error, plain and simple. In the case of people who die with an RSL, it's often from an RSL induced mal. Big difference and not really comparable as stats to make a stat-based decision. They are still dead, regardless of the reason. Dano

The above is my reason to have one too. In fact, after having used an RSL several times and lucky borrowing a rig several months ago that had a Sky Hook, I just bought a new rig with a Sky Hook. Those on the ground said that I probably cut away too low for an RSL, but the Sky Hook put a canopy above my head almost instantly. I try to go with the odds and not think of myself as special and better than average. Dano

Based on your profile, I'm guessing you weight about 155-160lbs. Are you saying you wear 40+ pounds of lead and then swoop a sub-100 sq ft canopy? That's what the OP is talking about. Better than 25% of his body weight in lead, and then swooping a small, HP canopy. If you have to weight-up to be in the base of a 100 way, and your WL remains below 2.0 and you do the standard, big-way straight-in landing, I see no problem with that. What the OP is suggesting is another story, especially when he admits that he doesn't want to be on anything smaller than an 84, but he wants to load up a canopy as if it was smaller than an 84. I don't see the logic or wisdom in that. Sorry for the misunderstanding.... I was only suggesting a better way to jump with 40 pounds and spread the weight. I DON'T SWOOP and only use the weight for relative work. The most I've actually used is a little more than 30 and mixed it between the belt and vest. He was only asking how, not if I recommended it. To me a vest and belt seem a better option. Dano

Occasionally I'll wear a belt and a vest. Spreads the weight around. I would be concerned about water though and being able to ditch it if necessary. Check out Franks's Look Ma gear, as it's top notch. Dano

same here.....to the previous post..... "Your posts are getting ridiculous, John. Everyone's heard it before." Chuck - You speak for yourself! I appreciate John's comments, incite and history. You are not the one to monitor comments.... Dano

Douglas - Thanks for all of the great interviews. A real highlight of Dropzone.com! Dano

My Javelin J-1 was manufactured 1/97 and is still in great shape. It was modified with a BOC and bridal cover and except for not having a Skyhook, operates like new. I have decided to sell it, in order to have a Skyhook, but the container looks very good and works like a new one. Whoever gets it will be able to easily add another 1000 jumps to it. Dano

A lot of good points, but make sure that you and the seller have the right expectation. Check out the seller. Make a few phone calls to where they normally skydive and talk to local DZO. Experienced skydivers will have a + or - reputation. Escrow is a + with a large sale. Discuss this with YOUR instructor or local rigger that you trust. A low time jumper does not know enough at this point and you can make an expensive mistake. Trust the people who trained you. Dano

So maybe it's time to move this area of knowledge from folklore to designated training? I saw a skydiver almost die last weekend because I don't think they knew and had not heard the folklore. I really feel that in less than 5 minutes, a student can be told the 'rule" and why. I'd hate to hear of a fatality that could be easily prevented with this knowledge, that has been written in blood. How is this added to formal training? Dano

Are students taught this? Did it come up on Safety Day? I've been away from training too long and since this came up again over the past weekend, I thought it would be good to raise. I know it know by most experienced skydivers, but is it actually a part of the formal training program? I don't know the details as far as the experience level of the "catcher" but, at Fitzgerald, a cutaway was caught and the "catcher" had to cutaway resulting in another disconnected main. Dano

Think twice before using elastic cargo netting and bungees. Both have come loose and flipped cargo under the rear wheel. It only has to happen once! There are some very good elastic cargo straps (sounds like a contradiction) that work well and are inexpensive. Dano

The difference between the cheapest and the most expensive, amortized over it's life time is equal to maybe 4-5 jump tickets a year. What's your life worth? Dano

I've had two of them and all but one opening was great. The snivel didn't seem to be a problem and I enjoyed the ride. The one bad opening had me seeing stars. Replaced the last Spectre with a Storm and it too has great openings except for one several weeks ago that had me seeing stars! Events simply occur.... Dano

It doesn't really matter one bit.... It's the body underneath that makes what ever she is wearing perfect! I think that women care more about how they look and clothing, more than men. I only care about the smile, eyes and what's under the clothing! Dano

Oh I'm easy -A bed and a shower... . Dano

Probably look for a motel with shuffleboard and a good early bird special! You know how those DZs can be after dark... :-) Dano

The area is so big, there are usually a few different groups that separate that you can choose to hang out with. I don't usually make it very late into the night either! I know that you and Mark will take good care of me! Dano

I'm going to be there, but after reading this thread and a few other, I'am having second thoughts. I normally go home, after the sunset load. It's dangerous at Z-Hills after the sun goes down! Dano

Have an RSL installed while you do your research. It is simple, easily installed and works better than not for the average skydiver. RSL vs Skyhook is still very debatable. By the way, most of us are average. Dano