jumpflorida

I must have read the post too fast to realize that he was saying that age is not in the FAR's---sorry, my mistake for not being clear on that. However, the fact that the FAR's are laws and the BSR's are only a requirement for USPA affiliation does not change. I've personally never jumped a non-uspa dz, but I'm sure that there are some out there that take safety more seriously than some uspa dz's. I have been to several dz;s and seen a vast difference in the way they run things. There is also the 'ethical business practices' of it all, which I'm sure we could all rant and rave about--especially if someone mentioned a certain company that shall not be named. As mentioned by another poster, it is more a concern of liability and age of consent in any given state (with or without parental consent). I know a DZ in Mississippi that allows 16 yr olds to jump, and I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that. I think it is great that younger people can jump--as long as they have good instructors that will emphasize safety, etc. My home DZ has a hard & fast rule about being 18, and I'm cool with that, too. But, given the recent FL supreme court ruling about parent being able to waive the rights of a minor (search other threads) any dz doing business with anyone below the 'age-of-consent' should be very cautious. Avoiding lawsuits is just good business.

Tuna, all flight operations are governed by the FAA (except military). Parachute ops still fall under parts 65 & 105 whether a dz is uspa affiliated or not--they're federal laws, not uspa BSR's.

I have not called around to the Helo operators in the PCB area, but will do so soon. There is also the possibility that someone will be able to either fly or trailer one for the event from south FL. In the event that these possibilities do not work out I have two (maybe more) 182's lined up that will fly in for the event. How many Rucker folks are planning on coming?

Yea, a couple of weeks ago over at ECSC in Elberta, AL we had an engine problem in the twin otter that was leased for the winter; the starboard engine started making a low noise while climbing followed by a slowing of the prop. So, we circled over toward the DZ, got a good spot and then did "mandatory" hop n' pops at 4K. All got out, except a TI and student, and we all landed uneventfully. It ended up that a circuit breaker had tripped--we were back in the air within an hour or so. Everyone seemed pretty calm in the plane, but upon reviewing the video from one of our camera guys, he (the camera guy) was evidently extremely nervous about the whole predicament. I had a huge grin on my face in the video, and he told me "you army guys are used to getting out low." Since when is 4,000 low? 800 or less with two rounds is what I consider low.

Do you mind sharing your find with the rest of us??

That looks pretty good; I suggest that you take it to someone you have locally and then send the formatted file to UPT for the embroidery--It sounds like you have already started that process. Good luck with it.

Thanks, I found a phone #, called him and am now waiting for a reply.

I need contact info for Lyle Presse and/or Jim Slayton. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

I talked to MD Evans (DZO) over there and he did not express much interest in doing it. They have done remote jumps in Destin, FL and other places, but he does not feel inclined to work out the logistics of it all. I'll try the School of Human Flight in Quincy. I'm going to try to get a hold of the public affairs offices at Ft. Rucker and at Tyndall AFB to see about the possibility of chartering a few military aircraft (blackhawks or something) for the event as well.

I have a lead on one helicopter and will work on getting a venue and additional aircraft. I would like to know what kind of support this event would have (fun jumpers and tandem instructors) if it were to actually 'get off the ground'.

They both have bright white lines that are cut a couple of feet below the canopy attaching points. The lines are still somewhat loose at the canopy attachment points (french locking knots) suggesting that they have never been jumped on the line sets they have. Also the condition of the fabric has suggested that minimal use/packing has occurred (according to my rigger). Thanks for your concern. Can you be of any additional assistance?

I take it that you are over there with the U.S. Military. The Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines should have at least a few riggers over there that could help out. They are likely sitting around most of the time and would enjoy something to do.

My cousin works at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort and has told me that the Golden Knights have jumped there and at Club La Vila every year for the past 6 years during spring break. Any chance a money hungry DZO out there who wants to make a ton of cash off of a bunch of spring breakers and tandem masters who want to land on the beach with a pretty girl while having one strapped to them. It would really help out us fun jumpers who want to have a good time. There are tons of hotels, at least one campground right on the beach, nightclubs/bars, golf courses (get permission to swoop the water obstacles/swoop contest/exhibition, etc.), tons of outs... it would be awesome. Helos would be best, since there are several helo pads on the beach (logistically easier) and the airport is little ways off, but still do-able if we go with planes. Lets get something going!!!!

Perhaps because they know something you don't? When I wrote that I meant to say "why don't people give valid reasons/explanations/justification when shooting ideas down? I have thought of most of the concerns that been brought up here. Reline with Spectra ~1000 Lb. (tandem strength/perhaps less, and probably cascaded), making a slider (because the canopy will blow up without one, especially if I eventually take it to terminal), skydiving riser set up, connected to a military container I already have, that will hold a 370 sq ft with no problem whatsoever. I have also considered deployment method extensively. It could either be placed in the main container or in a chest mounted 3rd container for an exit and deploy on the hill, or as has been done... a static line or buddy-assisted deployment bag from the plane. All you need is some wind. No, skydiving canopies can't get 6:1 actual glide ratios. Not yet, but perhaps when at some point, especially if interest grows. As for jumping in crazy winds--no thanks. So, now lets get into the more technical stuff, like where it should be reenforced, and other potential problems.

I am thinking of trying some cross-country type flights in the future, but have not seen any skydiving canopies with high glide ratios (like those of paragliders); I have read about a 17 cell, elliptical canopy, made by Paraflite, that uses two different names: Hi-Glide, and Peris (parachute insertion system). It is advertised as having a 6:1 glide ratio. One person that I spoke with about this canopy stated that it has poor opening characteristics, but flies well. It sounds good, but I think we all know how difficult it can be getting military stuff. Additionally, I found a manufacturer of paragliders by the name Aerodyne, and thought that it was affiliated with the skydiving company. I corresponded with a representative of Aerodyne (flyaerodyne.com -- skydiving company) who related that there is no connection between the two companies other than sharing the same name and both manufacturing canopies. I thought of buying a paraglider and having relined, reenforced, and pilot chute attachment point added, but I recall someone discouraging that as well. Why are people so quick to shoot down ideas? Any thoughts on the subject?