mpuettman

Yeah, I think Marvin only came to one of the St. Patty's Boogies, but I think Ronnie made it to all of them but one. And speaking of Marvin and Ronnie, it would have been really fun have jumped at Smithville when Ronnie and Marvin had their DZ there, but I didn't know either Marvin or Ronnie back then...but I've heard some of the stories...

I started jumping 9 years ago at age 50 -- just needed a change of scenery...

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT/TRX 1988 Porsche 911 2003 Yamaha V-Star 650 Silverado

I jumped one once a few years ago. The pilot took the plane up to 4500' and then nosedived the plane and did an inverted roll at 160 knots. She (the pilot) told me to stand sideways in the seat prior to beginning the roll and that I would fall out when the plane was inverted. WRONG!!! I got sucked out about 3/4 of the way into the roll, my arm hit the plane's canopy and my leg hit the sit of the plane on exit and I got LOTS of bruises. But that was not the worst part...I hit other unknown parts of the plane and in the video (she had a camera mounted to the tail), I passed right over the camera!! Actually, I felt like I was a pinball in a pinball machine. Fortunately for me and for the pilot, I did not hit the tail. I lived to tell about it so it was a great jump! However, I do not recommend standing sideways in the seat to exit. If I were to do it again (and I'm not sure I would), I would stand facing the front of the plane to avoid lots of bruises and I would think that you would probably get a cleaner exit away from the plane. I don't know, though. I'm just guessing. Just remember that if the plane is in an inverted dive, the tail is above you. Let us know if you jump a T-6. I'm curious to know your exit and how it went.

Nice! How do you like it? Did you take the MSF course? I love riding it is a great freeing feeling on the ground. Yes, I did take the MSF class. Since I had never had a bike before it was very helpful -- especially since my only other experience with bikes was as a passenger on a Goldwing. In hindsight, I probably should have started off on a smaller bike, but I've gotten pretty comfortable with it.

Yahama V-Star 650...I just started riding about 6 months ago.

You’re right. That was Marvin’s last jump. I was fortunate enough to be on that jump also…as well as many other interesting fun jumps with Marvin. Somewhere I have a photo of everyone on that last jump. If I can find it, I’ll post it. Marvin was, without a doubt, one of the most fun people I have jumped with and he even tried teaching me CRW a few times. I sure do miss jumping with him and going to his boogies. I just ran into him and his wife a few weeks ago at the 127 Sale and he’s the same old Marvin…but just enjoying different hobbies (fishing and kayaking).

my toy

+1

About 5 years ago, I got to jump one of the old T-6’s – during an inverted roll at 160 knots. Got quite a few bruises from hitting the plane’s canopy on exit and who knows what else and ended up just missing hitting the tail (she had a camera mounted on the tail because she was giving rides so there was video). But it was definitely fun and worth every bruise on my body!

And another grandma here (58 years old). I didn't start jumping until I was 50 and my only regret is that I didn't start jumping much earlier! And, after I started jumping, both of my daughters did tandems and, if it weren't for $ and small children, they probably would have done more than just 2 tandems. I was scared to death my first several jumps -- but the feeling during and after is what it is all about (well, that and all the great people you meet and friends you make)! But, if you're not totally comfortable with it -- there's always another day. That's one thing you learn jumping -- always trust your gut.

I totally agree! Thanks, Mike!

I got stopped on the interstate once for "speeding while impeding the flow of traffic." Those were his exact words...! He finally realized how dumb that sounded and didn't give me a ticket.

Hey -- I got to do that for free, too -- twice @ Rantoul. Fun...! But, probably the craziest was exiting an inverted T-6 Texan (stood on the seat and dropped out).

*** If it cost more for riggers to their job I would expect them to raise their price. Just like every DZ I know raising their prices this year. Its not costing them more to pack less. Its that they are working less so they will be making less. There is a difference Well said...!

1. What’s your name? Mary 2. How old are you? 57 3. Why did you decide to start jumping out of airplanes? Needed a change in my life 4. Are you single or taken? Single 5. Do you have kids? Yes – 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters 6. What do you drive? 1988 Porsche 911 & a 1998 Sebring Convertible 7. Have you ever done a kisspass? Yes 8. Where do you live? Tennessee 9. Do you have any pets? 2 cats 10. How many jumps do you have? 600+ 11. What color eyes do you have? Brown 12. What is your nationality? American 13. Have you ever dated someone you met off the internet? No 14. Favorite Movie? Pretty Woman 15. What do you do when you aren’t skydiving? Still trying to figure that out… 16. Have you ever BASE jumped? No 17. If not... do you want to? No 18. Do you have siblings? 3 sisters and 1 brother 19. Where do you want to travel to the most? Alaska 20. What's your favorite color? Purple 21. Where was the last place you flew to (not skydiving) Orlando, FL (on business but I did make it to Z-Hills, Deland, Titusville, and Sebastian)

I was there -- great boogie!

I usually check Alamo's "Hot Deals" section online. Availability varies and and they don't post these deals until about 2 weeks before the rental date. And, if you prepay, you can save 10%. Also, depending on where you pick up your rental (i.e., airport, hotel, etc.) can sometimes have an effect on the price. As for the CDW, you might check your auto or umbrella policies and see if they provide the same coverage. If they do, there's no use getting the CDW and paying twice.

And, even if it is on sale or clearance, ask for an additional discount "if I buy it right now". I did that on one of Sears' stainless 3-door refrigerators -- and I actually got another 10% off the "on sale" price. I also used that when I bought a lawn mower at Sears and a few other things at Home Depot and Lowes. You usually have to ask to speak with the manager, though, since the salespeople usually don't have the authority to OK an extra discount.

I need educating...what are the falcon and eagle awards?

Hope you had a great birthday, Laura!!!

31.5k

Why only 5 to 10 feet? Weight of the rig still on your back? The way it was explained to me, if I remember correctly, is that your main is creating drag prior to being cut away. And so when you cut away, you lose that drag and your upper body is no longer being pulled back. And when your upper body no longer has that backwards pull, you could easily lerch forward from the waist up and do a face plant in the water -- which could cause significant injuries such as a torn aorta, if the cutaway occurred at a significant height... It's a bit more simple. You may misjudge the altitude over the water, and cut away way to high. I have 1 intentional and 2 other water landing without cut-away. True...the explanation is as simple as you put it. However, everyone should be aware that there are real and inherent dangers associated with cutting away too high. I've wondered just how high is too high. I've done 40 foot jumps off a cliff into a deep water lake. My mistake was thinking my wife wouldn't flinch when we attempted to jump off it hand-in-hand. I hit the water at an angle on my front, and she splashed in just inches away a second later. I was okay after 15 minutes, she didn't feel good the rest of the day. I hadn't thought about the physics of human flight following a cut-away from a forward driving parachute... Prior to the demo jump, I hadn't thought about the physics of a cutaway either...I am glad that I had good and knowledgeable friends who were willing to take the time to point out the dangers!

Why only 5 to 10 feet? Weight of the rig still on your back? The way it was explained to me, if I remember correctly, is that your main is creating drag prior to being cut away. And so when you cut away, you lose that drag and your upper body is no longer being pulled back. And when your upper body no longer has that backwards pull, you could easily lerch forward from the waist up and do a face plant in the water -- which could cause significant injuries such as a torn aorta, if the cutaway occurred at a significant height... It's a bit more simple. You may misjudge the altitude over the water, and cut away way to high. I have 1 intentional and 2 other water landing without cut-away. True...the explanation is as simple as you put it. However, everyone should be aware that there are real and inherent dangers associated with cutting away too high.

Why only 5 to 10 feet? Weight of the rig still on your back? The way it was explained to me, if I remember correctly, is that your main is creating drag prior to being cut away. And so when you cut away, you lose that drag and your upper body is no longer being pulled back. And when your upper body no longer has that backwards pull, you could easily lerch forward from the waist up and do a face plant in the water -- which could cause significant injuries such as a torn aorta, if the cutaway occurred at a significant height...