brucet7

Go to www.irs.gov/charities/index.html. Read the info there and you should be able to find links to getting the forms. They are pages long and be ready to produce your accounting info. I am not sure which catagory you would fall under, but 501(c)(7) might be the most likely. Social Clubs. You might also fall under the education catagory. Just thinking, since you are part of VTU, you might talk to their business office. You might be covered and just need a letter copy from them to accomplish what you need. Worth a try! And a LOT less work! POPS #10623; SOS #1672

What the are looking for is a letter you receive from the IRS after being determined to be a non-profit organization. You receive that letter by applying for it with the IRS. It is not easy or quick to get, but you should have no trouble since you are part of an educational institution. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I hope you both realize you are very lucky. See this and this. And if you're sure your pilot is too good to hit a tree or other obstacle (and of course, the only pilot who is that good is the one you are talking to at any given time), the emergency procedures he must know include: Single engine failure Dual engine failure Governor failure Hydraulics failure Tail rotor drive shaft failure Short shaft failure (I believe in the 412 it is called the not-so-short shaft.) Stuck pedals and a host of others which may or may not affect his ability to fly the aircraft above translational lift and inside the deadman's curve. This type of flying increases your safety when someone is shooting at you. At any other time, the pilot is betting your life he can pull it off just to increase your heart rate. I hope he is right. I grant that there is an element of danger in all this, and I am not sure I will ever do it again. Then again, riding jump planes, and parachutes contain a element of danger as well. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Being nervous is part of the thrill in doing this. I would be more concerned if you weren't nervous. I have a friend who kept telling everyone he wasn't nervous, no problem, easy. When they opened the door he balked and refused to go. I ended up an expensive plane ride. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I am not sure I am in the right place, and the title isn't exactly right. Here is my question. I have just purchased some used gear with the help of my DZO. In fact, all I did was talk to her, ask her endless questions and then write the check. She knew of a container/reserve from an earlier search for another jumper and then found a canopy. I have paid for the gear, shipping costs, and a reserve repack. My question, am I supposed to add some for her help? She didn't ask, but then we tip people who provide other services for us. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I found this part of the FARs interesting and while it does not speak directly to the issue, by implication it shows the intent of the FAR. "Sec. 105.49 Foreign parachutists and equipment (a) No person may conduct a parachute operation, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow a parachute operation to be conducted from that aircraft with an unapproved foreign parachute system unless-- (1) The parachute system is worn by a foreign parachutist who is the owner of that system. (2) The parachute system is of a single-harness dual parachute type." If a foreign jumper must wear a 1/2 system, then I would assume a nonforeign jumper would as well. Looking at the parts of the FAR quoted already, I think it means you have two choices. A 1/2 system or a tandom system, one or the other. .43 covering the former, .45 covering the latter. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I remember back those many months ago, like 8, sitting in the door of the 182 and being asked, "Do you see the landing zone?" If you don't see it, you don't jump. But it is pretty easy, at least here, to pick it out. It did seem rather small, however. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I am thinking road trip, though I did my AFF through the winter, missing weeks at a time due to poor weather. Still I got them in with no jumps in Dec or Jan. That was partly due to weather, an injury, working out of town, and the holidays. We can get lucky and get in a day most every month, if you keep your weekends open. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Of course I don't know the TI of which you speak and he may be the best instructor in Alabama, but I had several different instructors through my AFF and I found that each had their strengths, and their focus areas. I benefited greatly from have three different people teach me. Just food for thought and my $.02. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Welcome to the addiction. Glad to see fellow Washingtonians join our ranks. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

IMO, the only helicopter I really had a blast riding on before I jumped it was the Bell 412 at the WFFC in Quincy. The ride was better than a roller coaster, especially if you were sitting on the edge of the door with your legs dangling, and the pilot's steering it between the trees or just barely over the tops. I've also jumped John Eddowes' Allouette (spelling?) that only carries 4 jumpers, 1 up front and 3 in the back seat. The ride in that was much tamer. As for the jump itself, the hot air balloon was much quieter and stiller. From the helicopter, you're falling away directly under the rotor wash, but it's not that much different anyway. I will add that the ride up was a blast. We were sitting in the door with our legs We did fly between (or more accurately at the trees) and had some hard turns. The ride was worth the trip once. I am glad I made the jump and might again someday. I would love to do the balloon thing as well. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I just did a helicopter jump a couple of weeks ago. I did a gentle back roll off the skid, It was quiet at first and then the wind sounds began to increase. It was a little difficult to maintain balance as at first, no wind to interact with. After about 3 seconds (from 5500 ft) it was like any other jump. I am glad I did it, but won't rush off to do another. I think I would rather make two 13000 ft jumps out of the Otter. Those I jump with were a bit more adventurous and dropped, catching the skid, and then falling. The roller coaster is more exciting. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I did just the opposite and spread mine out over several months (in part due to money and in part due to weather). My friend and I would do one jump a weekend, then go back and read our SIMs, talk about what we learned, what was next, and get prepared. I have friends who did the quick route. I think either way is a winner. I know I could not have done it if I had to do it in a couple of weeks. Not that rich. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

The SIMs if available in a pdf file for nothing. I have downloaded my copy and have it on my computer, my palm pilot, and printed a hard copy for my jump bag. There really isn't any reason someone can't read a SIM. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I post this with some angst. In the next couple of week I might be going shopping for my first rig. It will have to be used. My question has several levels. In the maze of equipment where does one begin? Should one look for a complete rig, or look for components and mix and match? Since every company has different sizings, what is the best way to sort through all the ads to get to one which might work? I am a big guy (6' 240 lbs so most equipment is too small.) I have an appointment to visit my dz and visit but want to get some other idea. I asked yesterday about coming and talking about my questions and was told about a rig online that might be just what I need. I am glad there is one, but that wasn't my question exactly. Also, at this point I am not really interested in a "which equipment is best" discussion. I feel like I did when I went computer shopping the first time. "What are you going to use it for?" I didn't even know that they did and I do not use it the way I thought I would those 20+ years ago anyway. Maybe I am just looking for a good list of question to ask and consider. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I too am in my 50s. I am 6 ft and weigh 240 (down from 310). I don't have any problem at my Drop Zone except I am not as flexible as I once was so it is a little bit of a challenge to pull on my rig by myself and move around the plane. Once in the air and on landing my size has made no difference. I just will never get to fly one of the sub-100 sheets everyone else is flying. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I did do it backwards, and knew better, just had a brain fart. And I will post less. Don't want to look stupid again. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Ummm... 1.2 would be a canopy SMALLER in square footage than the person weighs with gear. Not recommended for newbies by most canopy manufacturers... You are backwards. The other number on the bottom. The canopy is 1.2 sqft larger the pounds. i.e. - 100 lbs = 120 sqft POPS #10623; SOS #1672

You might try contact cement. Any hardware store will have a tube for about $2 or so. Apply to both the velcro and the helmet, let dry and put together. Won't mess with the composit like superglue and no clamps needed. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I have been readig this with interest. I am one of those new 'A's and don't have the best skills. I would like to say that I would be wise and prudent and stand my ground and sit for a ride back. My friend did on a cloudy day. I also know that I tend to follow the lead of those around me. I have jumped a couple of times close to clouds and on windier days than my skills. The thread has given me a lot to think about. And maybe some people who COULD do it might not chose to because of the people also on the load. A lot of low number jumpers depend on the dz regulars for guidance, sometimes we ask sometimes we just watch. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

We have one I saw the other day, but no video guy. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I want to warn you, it doesn't go away very soon. I have trouble staying at work. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Congratulations. Way to Go! POPS #10623; SOS #1672

I must confess, as someone new to this sport, all the talk about tips, beers for firsts, and paying for jumps for people caught me off guard. I am generous in the restaurant and such places. This is certainly a different world than I live in. I was always taught to do things for people because it is the right thing to do. This is a bit of a challenge to get used to, frankly. POPS #10623; SOS #1672

Hey Dennis, get out there and finish that AFF. The day you do your A license check jump is a day for the books. And the first jump with your license is pretty awesome as well, or at least it was for me. POPS #10623; SOS #1672