captain1976

Thanks Tom. I though it was somewhere around that size but its kinds old and I didn't find anything referring to size in the forums. Hopefully someone here can give me the exact figures You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Does anyone know the size of this thing? I have had it for many years and I don't remember (see pix). You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

If you are flying a UK registered aircraft, in the UK, then you are not dealing with the FAA. How clear does he have to make it? Riggerpaul, I can probably explain him better. I think some people are compelled to add insult whenever they see the opportunity. Its a mental thing and possible has something to do with low self esteem You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I recall reading a book that I think was written by Nelson where he told the story of his Father taking him and his brother to Camp Lake for their first jump course. Thats all I really know. An old jump friend told me today that they think the guy who ran Camp Lake Skydivers was named Leon Summers. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Yeah, I used to fly it. Th AN-2 which was great for putting out a bunch of static line students but the damn thing quit climbing at 4K You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

And if you are over 40 and want the 1st class, be prepared to bend over. Also you will have to do some jogging on the treadmill (designed to induce a heart attack). You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Financially and reality are 2 different things. If you think you can run a dz with just fun jumpers and break even (unless you are running your plane at night running cargo. What ever "cargo" pays the bills) you obviously have never been on the paying end of plane maintenance and fuel costs. Good luck with that and I'm sure you will change your mind after a few weeks about needing tandems and AFF's dave Being an airplane dealer for 30 years, I am well aware of the costs associated with operating aircraft and I already figured maintenance expenses. However I do have the advantage as this occupation gave me the unique situation of operating 2 large Flight Academies while never having to depreciate or amortize the 35 airplanes and helicopters we had. I would simply purchase them at wholesale with low time, use them to a certain hour range and then sell them at a profit. There is a certain window of flight hrs where a typical airplane has the same value. If you can work within those perimeters you can make it work, and it did so very well. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

QuoteFast forward to the year 2035 ... Skydive Whistler reports even lower fuel consumption the second year of operation with the hybrid gas/electric Cessna 182. Thanks for a look into the future riggerrob, but lets fast forward a little further to 2055: Skydive Whistler took delivery of their new Cessna 1255 anti gravity vehicle this weekend. The 1255 can carry 25 skydivers to 15,000 ft in aprox 5 minutes, the last minute devoted to the depressurization cycle. Though the 1255 can achieve the optimum skydiving altitude in less than a minute, passenger comfort is maintained by keeping the gravitational “G” forces minimized. Though other commercial vehicles have internal gravity regulators which cancel these “G” forces, the Cessna 1255 was conceived to keep the price reasonable for the small commercial operator and to keep pricing under ten million dollars US. For this aircraft Cessna chose twin Pratt & Whitney PT15 Superconductor plasma accelerators with altitude cancellation provided by the Podkletnov Magnetic Field Disrupters. Pokletnov was a pioneer in anti gravity development and is the current manufacturer of the most popular device used to slow down skydivers from freefall speeds for a safe landing. When parachutes were used in the early days of skydiving, there was always a risk that could result in a fatal accident. To help cover the cost of the new aircraft, jump rates will go up slightly from their current price of $150 to $175 per jump. Skydive Whistlers current DeHavilland Super Dooper Twin Otter as well as their PAC1500 will be donated to the Toronto National Air & Space Museum so future generations can enjoy these relics of powered flight.

What you are speaking about is parts replacement for items that go, or are going bad. And I agree that conditions can cause this, but the reason for my comment was information I received the other day during a discussion about this very subject. Without naming names, a highly qualified source who was directly involved with the testing and certification told me that if it calibrates and the batteries are good, it will work as designed. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Can anyone share any and all info about Camp Lake Wisconsin (just over the Illinois border)? I keep my airplane there and I built its hanger (2001) on the old pea gravel pit because it made a nice foundation base. There is a (long) packing table in the old hangers but its been buried for many years. I understand Roger Nelson and his brother Carl made their first jumps there, but thats all I know about it as I jumped at Hebron Airport in Illinois in the old days. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

7 Weeks? That's ridiculous, especially since that 4 year check was introduced as a money making ploy anyway. I would get on their case. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Of course! Whats hers is mine and whats mine is mine. Besides, its always got plenty of cash and keeps me from going to the ATM. I just got to be careful though, she keeps her loaded .38 in there.

You are right. I purchased a copy from Beonish and I will re-post it every time they take it down. Since I paid for a copy I feel I have the right to do with it as Carl intended; entertainment Here is the latest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq69igqD588 You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I have been dealing with Para Gear for almost 38 years. A business that serves that many customers is going to have an occasional problem, but their track record commands nothing but respect for this pioneer that has done so much for skydiving community. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Hardee har har Fisher. Woke up to 16 and sun which gave way to 20 and snow then 30 and freezing rain. No tellin what it'll be like tomorrow but I'll be out in it just to be out in it. Glad the Cessna lives inside cuz that's where it'll be. jon Hi Jon, What the hell are you doing in that crap? Fly that puppy to Florida You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Yes, It was a bit cold this morning on the way to DeLand, so I turned down the a/c You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Kitty the cat You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I seriously think that business model might work, especially with a goal of only breaking even...I'd even understand & pay a bit more per ticket considering the obvious advantages & available amenities! Your plan of offering food, booze & boobies with turbines on top, would IMO immediately qualify your place as a premier destination dropzone. . .Just imagine the ready market for an adult ski resort with no bunny hills! Specialized & target specific programs are working well within the cruise-ship industry. Heck, in no time at all, you'll be rollin' in greenbacks from the franchise rights alone!! Take this as official notice that I'm reserving stock option rights for when you go to public offerings! I know my business model will work but with other operators it probably would be too much of a gamble. Combining my 30 years airplane dealer experience in that I will rotate aircraft, the planes won’t have to be amortized like other operators must. This should also insure a very reasonable jump ticket but will probably piss off a lot of DZ operators. I also have a couple big names in the community who already committed to join me in running the operation. With about 3 years to go, who knows what will happen by then, but that’s the plan anyway. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Thanks for fixing a very important point. I really didn't want to sound sexist as every time I bring something like that up here I get blasted by the other sex.

When I retire in about 3 to 5 years, I plan to buy a Twin Otter anad a Pac. It will be in Florida dedicated only to experienced jumpers. No tandems, no AFF and no training of any kind. I might have a wind tunnel but it would be just for experienced Skydivers. To jump there you will need an A license and you jumpers will have the option for hop & pops or high altitude. We will have packers, riggers and food. I'm not sure if anyone else has that business model but I already did the math and financially it should work. I won't be in it for the money but just need to break even. If it doesn't, I will just lease the planes to the other DZ's You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Wow, Memories. I bought a copy from Boenish back around ‘72. We used to put on skydiving seminars for our DZ and show 2 movies. The first one was “This is a Sport” which was rather blasé. Then we would announce that after the next movie there would be an opportunity to sign up for a first jump course. Then we put on “Masters of the Sky” and people ran to the sign-up table. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

You are right, I messed up You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

2 HOURS? Wow. What is the reason for this long a wait anyway Exactly what others mentioned. The DZ was really only that backed up through the peak season, and only on Saturdays from 10:00 am till 3:00 pm, and only when it was a really pretty day. So, if I had a second airplane, it would sit 50% of the time on the days when the DZ was really busy, and 90+% of the time over all. I compromised, and spent a bunch of money on the one airplane I have, speeding it up. We went from flying 16 to 18 loads a day, to doing up to 24. Those additional loads are for the most part going to the fun jumpers and progressing students, since our tandem business is limited by the number of instructors (two) on staff. So, still one airplane, one pilot, one to maintain, but considerable more lift capacity. Also, the amount of fun jumper traffic is an eb and flow kind of thing. Right now it seems we have fewer fun jumpers, I blame it on all the carbon in the atmosphere. I'm doing my part though, trying to recycle all the beer and pop cans around the place. It may not help, but it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I was really just kidding around. I am well aware of the stress and needs as I ran 2 DZ's back in the 70's. You can't please everyone as much as you try and I'm sure there were times when my customers waited more than 2 hours to get on a load even with 2 airplanes working. There was an article years ago and I think it was in Parachutist. It was a synopsis of a guy who ran a drop zone. I still remember the title; "Money for Nothin and free jumps". The story concluded that nothing was farther from the truth. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

The 4 man zoo dives called "Hog Fest" at Palatka Florida every year are a lot of fun You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

On the other end of this issue, I personally didn't log my jumps after getting my D in the early 80's. 5 to 10 jumps a day sometimes made it a pain in the ass and I didn't jump at other DZ's so it really didn't matter. Only about 2 years ago did I start logging again as I have more opportunity to jump at other drop zones and currency must be established. My log book and profile shows about 1200 jumps because that's what is logged. I would estimate an additional 2,500 to 3,000 would be more accurate, but what does it really matter? Though I jump about every weekend, I don't want or need any more ratings. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime