flyboy62000

I find Wings to be relatively easy to pack. I can't believe anyone would charge extra to pack them. They are less complicated to pack than say a Racer where you have to flip the rig over to pin it. As far as the pop-top goes, if you make a nice pocket for the spring to sit in and keep the closing loop short enough it will come out looking nice every time. I've never had to readjust the loop on mine after packing it to tighten the pop-top down, although the DZ I learned at had a fleet of them for student rigs, so maybe it's just a factor of packing a lot of them and learning the tricks. The only thing that I find more difficult with the Wings is getting the fabric settled into the bottom corners of the pack-tray. I have found that the best results for any rig are obtained from following the manufacturer's instructions, they're there for a reason. I have now downsized and own a Mirage G3, but there are days I wish I still had my Wings. I thought it was a fantastic piece of equipment. Blue Skies, Adam

Lol, I used to rent out of Skypark a few years ago. I agree about the airplanes, they're cheap to rent but not the best I've ever flown. I did get to do a lot of flying, though. Then the tornado came through and broke a bunch of the aircraft. Ahh, the good old days. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

My personal feeling is that threading a single strap through a lift web or leg strap is about the same as wearing no seatbelt. Here where I live there are no regulations requiring seatbelt wear by jumpers. The lawmaking bodies here mostly figure that if you're going to jump from the airplane it's on you to manage your safety. I don't mind not having seatbelts and I'm no more worried about getting killed in a crash wearing with no seatbelt as an aircraft where you simply put a strap through your harness. I've responded to enough light aircraft crashes during my search and rescue days to know that if you go in in a small plane (182, 206, PA23, etc.), seatbelt or not you have a high probability of injury or death. Not trying to undermine anyone here, but I believe the effectiveness of other than a standard lap belt to be very slim. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

That's funny, that guy has good taste.

Ahhhh, what the crap. Here let's try it again. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I'd tell DZ 'A' that they can kiss my butt and I jump anywhere I please. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I got my new Mirage a couple days ago. It's sweet, although the design bears much resemblence to my old rig. I guess I just like this colors. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Well, you know I pack before jumping because I was too lazy the week before. Yes the room is dark, but on the weekends we leave the lights up because there is very, very little traffic on the weekends. And it has a big carpet floor instead of the hard wood one at my apartment. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I clean the cables with a mild detergent and water to remove dirt and grime and then put a very light coat of CYPRES silicon on them. I doesn't seem to attract dirt and lubricates a little bit. I figure it decreases friction at the closing loop, why not at the cutway cable. I don't think it would have any significant impact on cutway force, but I still do it anyway. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I'm the "I'm not drunk, drunk." Although I can admit to a few nights where I was clearly wasted. A few, in particular. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Yeah, I'm not sure one day I signed up for the Air Force and 10 months later I'm in Germany. Anyway, things are going well. I'll be in Ohio at the beginning of September...providing my leave gets approved. If not expect me to make the news. I'll be getting married the weekend after labor day and then going to AZ for my honeymoon. It should be great. I need a vacation, because like I said, most of the people here are stupid. Well, except for my fiancee, she's really smart like me and we both get to expose the stupidity of our coworkers. All I know is I have 14 credits left for my bachelor's and once I get them I'm applying for OTS. I need to get back into flying, this sitting around in a dark room is starting to get to me. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Lol, thanks. I needed that. I can't wait to get back to the states and get my jump on. I can't wait for labor day Casa jumps at home. I'm going to make lots of jumps, drink lots of beer and party it up, and then I'm getting married the next weekend. Yipee, that'll be a nice change from the present surroundings. The only thing that makes it bearable is that I'm most always right...mostly. I just wish I had instant messenger at work. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Please forgive my rant, but I'm in the mood to vent. One of the supervisors at work tonight actually had the nerve to tell me I was wrong about our responsibilities regarding skydiving aircraft talking to another ATC facility. I really am sick of people who try to tell you that you're wrong when they have no clue themselves...especially about something like skydiving which I obviously know a bit about, since I pack my parachute on the radar room floor when I'm planning on jumping after work. The person that tried to call me out knows that I spent a couple years as a full time skydiver and jump pilot...if anyone in the facility knows the FAR's and ATC regulations regarding parachute jumping it's me. Again, stupid people piss me off...but I love making them look silly when I show them the regulation proving I'm right! Anyway, back to work. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I have my dytter inside the helmet and there's plenty of room for it. Just slap a piece of black gaffer's tape over the ear holes and it'll cut down on the wind into your ears a lot. Blue Skies, Adam Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

It's in northern Germany, but I can't believe any person could go over 30 years without hearing or knowing anything about how babies are made. They definitely don't have a TV, because sex is on tv just as much here as in the states. I agree, I think now that they've heard of it, they'll try and make up for all those lost years I predict a baby in the near future for them. Blue Skies, Adam Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I wear a protec with over 500 jumps on it to hold my audible, put stickers on, and keep bumps off my head during minor knocks like taking a foot to the head or other minor bumps. It won't protect against anything more than that, but it's better than getting a lump on my noggin. I figure it was made for skateboarders, climbers, etc. and those guys take a lot more bumps than I do in the air. Adam Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I've owned both a Javelin and Wings and I prefer the Wings to the original Jav design. I like the Odyessy, but if I was going to choose between the two I would get a Wings with the cut in laterals (like on the Jav Odyessy) since they're offering them free this month, and I've been super happy with my Wings...plus the price makes a difference for me. Adam Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I moved to Germany from the states and finally found a DZ that feels like home. The people were awesome and really helped me feel at home. They set me up with everything I needed, introduced me to everyone. The staff really made me feel like I was right at my home DZ in Ohio. The aircraft are awesome, 3 turbine 206's. Great climb rates, well maintained, some of the best jump aircraft I've seen. I have definitely found my home DZ in Germany. I highly recommend a vist to this DZ.

Wish I could be there, but I'm stuck sitting in Germany waiting for my new rig. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Air Force, A1C stationed at Ramstein Germany. GCA radar air traffic controller. Having a great time, but miss jumping in the states. Adam Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Actually, the lexan door doesn't take up much room at all in a 182. CSS has a souped up widebody with one that was down at Lake Wales this winter. No more kicking the rudder and leaning over for the pilot to close the door. Just reach above your head and slide it down. Plus it moves completely out of the way of the door. In other words it eliminates the many snag possibilites that a lot of the regular cessna jump doors have on them like handles and locking pins. I think it's a great idea. Blue Skies, Adam Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Here's my list of suggestions in order of preference of what you have in your listed price range. Mini Cooper S - fun in a sweet little package Acura RSX Type S - fun, but a nice looking every day car Subaru WRX - All wheel drive fun, but don't like all the lines. I think it looks good from the front, but I don't like the lines of the rear. Anyway, you can't go wrong with either of these three. I haven't driven the WRX, but just looking at all the specs it looks like it would be a fun car but the quality of the other two rate them higher for me. Especially the mini...remember BMW bought Rover specifically for the Mini and MG marques and then sold off the rest. If that says anything about what went into the whole idea of the car for BMW. Blue Skies and happy car buying, Adam Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Here's my Wings. Incidentally, it's for sale if anyone's interested. Stiletto 120 Raven -m 120 Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Quade, homestarrunner.com is awesome. I love that website. If anyone hasn't seen it yet definitely check it out and be sure to watch all the Strong Bad emails. Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

My vote definitely goes to the West family from SGC. They have done more for me since I started jumping than I can even mention. I've learned so much about every aspect of skydiving from Jim. If ever there were nicer, more supportive people in the world, I have yet to find them. Blue Skies, Adam Blue Skies, Adam I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry