captain1976

I'm envious as I work in business development with lots of travel and writing. The pressure can get overwhelming at times, but jumping has a way of making the week go better. Being on the road quite a bit I have a lot of respect for truckers. For the most part they are quite courteous even though they are in a job that can be tedious. Most motorists don't realize that the original highway system we all use was enacted in 1956 and though it was lobbied by automobile manufacturers, it was enacted to facilitate interstate commerce. In other words “products transported by the trucking industry”. So technically trucks should have the right of way over cars. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

You are my weight, let me recommend the Spectre. A bit bias here but if you read some threads I don't think you will find anything but praise for what I believe is the best canopy design of all. Nice performance, great openings (probably the most forgiving of bad body position), great flair and landings. I jump a 230 but you may want a 210 which is still within limits. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I think the issue here is the anxiety of getting hurt again on landing. After all my years in the sport I had to be carried off the DZ last January in DeLand when my ankle folded over and caused a terrible sprain. They are right about a sprain being as painful as a break and even after it healed I found myself a bit nervous under the canopy for a few jumps. The only advise I can give here is instead of fixating on just flaring at the right moment, concentrate on what I and most instructors teach. Come in with half brakes first to slow the canopy down a bit and then flare before landing. Whether you're too early or late on your flair, the landing should still be easy. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Don't own any. I just "Google" what I need You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Welcome, its always great to see you youngsters getting into the sport You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

"Girls usually don't have a hard time finding people to jump with them" Be careful there, some of the animals here can re-phrase this several ways Welcome Joanna You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Sounds like you're hooked. Great to have you with us. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Congrats to all. Elevation is too high for me. Jumped there once and felt like I jumped off a roof. I'll just leave Nevada to you younger guys. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

The version of the story I've heard is that they have marks on there fire truck signifying all of the hung up skydivers they've pulled out of trees. Whatever the truth is, if you walk into the fire department, town hall or whatever and stir things up, no matter how good your intentions, you have then become a representative of everyone at Skyknights. If were going to stir things up, it should be together or not at all. If its just something that signifies jumpers pulled out of trees, thats harmless and probably funny. I would never divulge who I was, I'm just observing for the time being. Any action requires careful consideration and a cool head. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

As you can see anonymous posters are not too popular here. Some feel they have something to hide. But tandem jumpers don't always listen. May be the excitement or thrill, but I've seen broken bones from both tandem masters and their riders, regardless of where the feet are. The last one I saw was a simple slide on the morning dew followed by a dry spot that left the student with a broken leg and the tandem master with a broken arm trying to break the fall. Shit happens You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

What I meant is that I will try the diplomatic method first. If that doesn't work, then its time for more drastic measures as nothing pisses me off more than inappropriate behavior from civil servants. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Great ideas. I will do that and worse. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

As I understand it they have tried for years to do the PR thing, inviting them to activities, offering to work with them in areas regarding safety, etc. But it seems their resentment for the place goes way back and some kind of barrier exists. I'm not a member of their club but I just might join in the spring and give it a try. I have a little experience in public relations and just possibly can get through to the right people. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

It was basically a conversation started about how inept the local town is and how it hates the skydiving center. The Police Chief recently told the senior staff how much he despises their operation and in any accident he will confiscate the equipment and throw it away when he is done with it. Sounds like a drunk-with-power piece of shit cop who needs to get out of the business. Again, I will check this out tomorrow. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I will make my report tomorrow. Actually I will go there in person and check it out since I'm in town for a couple of days You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I will indeed. I was planning to call them tomorrow and find out if its true. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Waiting for the plane today at Sky Knights in East Troy Wisconsin, I was told that the local fire department paints “kills” on their rolling equipment depicting dead skydivers, adding one each time someone there goes in. Most of us know that the tradition of “kill marks” was used during the wars mostly on airplanes to represent an aerial victory or the number of bombs dropped on the enemy. Tell me if I’m wrong, but I think any governmental department that pokes fun at any tragedy in any sport should be brought to the attention of the public and stopped immediately. This behavior is totally non-professional and anyone in authority such as the Chief or those who hire them have no business serving the public. I would like to do something about this but I live in Florida in the Winter. Any suggestions or comments on what should be done? You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I like the name but advertising might be a bit tough You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

You're not bad David, but I'm not kinda homely, I AM. Beak nose and nothing redeeming here You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I agree that the Spectre as well as everything else can surprise you with a malfunction, but I never heard of a hard opening on one but I guess that can happen too. Since I jump a 230 its probably a bit more forgiving there. On heading openings aren't a real issue with me but I never roll the nose, don't need to as its simply a method to keep from getting slammed by those other canopies. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Interesting thread. Looks like a lot of people with various issues on the Saber2. Hard openings, off heading, need to pack certain ways and be conscious of good body position on every jump. Sounds like a real pain in the ass to me. I jump a Spectre and never had anything but soft, reliable, consistent and on heading openings on each and every jump regardless of body position or the way its packed. The last thing I want to think about on a jump is how it will open. I know how it will open without any surprises a lot of Saber2 pilots have. Its also easy to land, and though it may not be a great swooping canopy, I don’t do that anyway. Additionally, I haven’t run across any threads here with complaints about Spectres, just the contrary. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Shows how dum i is This is funny. Lawyers trying to find out who is the dumbest one... I'm not a Lawyer, I just sell airplanes You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I had one of the few that were purchased by A friend of mine "Rich Olichovik" D-329. I think it was 8 canopies he got from the Ruskies at one of the National events. He spoke the lingo. They would sell anything including automatic openers since they needed the bucks and their government provided everything anyway. I don't remember it being susceptible to malfunctions as I packed it the same way as a PC. I got rid of it when I was offered what was a lot of bucks in the 70's. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Sat at Deland 1st with low winds 8:30 AM 2nd with wicked winds 45 min later (hell of a canopy ride) 3rd Chickened out - Went home You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I had one years ago. I don't remember a bag though as I used a sleeve. Also recall that other than the lines being a different material, it was basically the same as a PC. I will check with a friend of mine who has a lot of that vintage stuff and see if we can get a manual. I can always scan it and email. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime