Zarcero

Back in the mid 70's. I was on the parachute team at the US Military Academy at West Point. We were preparing for a meet and jumping at the school itself instead of at our normal drop zone at Lake Frederick. The helicopter (UH-1) would pick us up at one of our athletic fields right next to the Hudson River. I opened with a malfunction and then cut away. I pull the ripcord on the (front mounted) reserve and nothing comes out, so I pull the flap and punch the reserve on the side. The reserve deploys, a 26' conical. I now have some decision making to do. West Point sits on a bluff and I know I will never make it to the plain so... (1) I can go in the freezing Hudson River water and try and swim to shore, (2) head for the cliff and try to land on the strip of land between the cliff and the river. By the way there are power lines and railroad tracks on that strip of land, or (3) just head for the cliff, slam against it and fall to the ground after the canopy collapses and hope I only break a leg or two. I took option three. I am heading towards the cliff, maybe I will be able to maneuver this reserve to that small strip of land. I drop below the bluff and I have instant maneuverability. There is like zero wind below the plain and the reserve just does what I want it to do. I land between the cliff and the railroad tracks and power lines. A train rushes by shortly after the landing. Yikes! You should have seen the looks I got from people on that train. As I look out on the river, my pilot and crew chief are trying to fish out my main from the river. The crew chief is hanging off of the skid of the Huey and grabs the main (a Strato Cloud). The pilot didn't see the cut-away and so thought I was still under the canopy. The military police and an ambulance were rushed to the shore also thinking I was under the canopy as the pilot called it in. The ground crew saw the cutaway but had assumed I landed in the river anyways. I asked the first responders what the big deal was when they got there. They just looked at me. P.S. It also happened to be my birthday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19K03dlUlWM I was 6-yrs old. My uncle had just gotten out of the 101st. We were glued to the TV set for every episode.

Roger, I have located my certificates for the SCR and the SCS. I have scanned the old certificates and e-mailed both you and Bill a pdf copy. Please acknowledge receipt and let me know when these get entered into the database. I appreciate you doing this for us. Cheers, Mike P.S. Wow! That was quick. They are now in the database. These were in the missing group. Thanks!

Hi Roger, Glad I found this site! I have an SCR in the 5,000's and and SCS in the 2,000's. I have the ID cards for both, which were signed by Bill Newell. I also have the logbooks, the jumps were also signed by Bill. This was at Hartwood, VA back in the 70's. I think Bill Otley flew the plane. What do I do to get put in the database? Do I scan the cards, logbook, etc., and then send you an e-mail? Thanks, Mike

Thanks Howard. Looks like you are my connection to the past. Mike

Her being a retired policewoman, I am sure she can recommend what is appropriate for her and for you, I am not sure of your state laws, but I would consider getting a concealed license to carry. I have one here in TX. It takes several months, but is worth the effort and is reciprocal in most states. In the meantime, check your local Castle Doctrine laws for wherever you reside. As for her, being a retired cop, I think they are automatically granted a carry license after retirement, but this of course depends on the state. I carry a Colt .380 Government model. Most engagements are going to be at close quarters, so a shotgun might not be exactly what you need, especially if you are away from the house. I carry cocked with the safety on. Mike

Thanks. I also posted in the intro section some of my background. Do you know if there is an SCR/SCS registry online. Bill Newell signed off on mine back in the 70's. My SCR was in the 5,000's and my SCS in 2,000's. Thanks, Mike

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I had a class C license in the 70's and a jumpmaster rating. I looked at all these new categories today in case I decide to re-enter the sport. What do my old categories translate to for today? Thanks, Mike

Hello there! My name is Mike. I have been considering taking up jumping again. I started in the 70's at Hartwood in VA. The place was owned by Harry Schoeppel (sp?). Run by him, his wife, and their son Clay. Clay was a World Champion and Army Golden Knight. At Hartwood they used to call me "Crazy Mike". I am wondering if any of those guys are still around and jumping. There was also a kid their named George, and a feisty good looking gal named "Buck" who later married the USPA president at the time (Don?). I started jumping there in high school '74-'75. My SCR and SCS were earned there. Bill Newell signed those jumps. Is he still around? I don't have the numbers handy but my SCR is in the 5,000's and the SCS in the 2,000's. I used to jump a mini-round called Starlite. It had a horrible opening shock. I also made a few jumps at a place called Pelicanland in MD. I think a guy named Mike Schulz used to run that place. I later went to the US Military Academy at West Point and was on the team there. I have a bunch of old trophies in the attic somewhere with my log books. Jumped mostly StratoStar and StratoCloud there. All of our coaches were former Golden Knights. Great guys! Just wondering what it takes to get back into the sport, but no way I am jumping strapped to some dude! Thanks, Mike