superbudweiser

I find this entire thread very interesting. I have a current class C license from the USPA. Years ago I stopped skydiving and when I came back I payed the yearly dues to become a current member with the USPA and I was issued a class C membership license. The same class I held before. It was my understanding that I am paying my dues to be a member for the benefits that is included with a current membership. I was never denied to skydive from an airplane unless the Drop Zone required a current license and of course from the FAA standpoint of the FAR's like reserve in date, VFR rules and so on. Heck, I was the one to update my USPA to be current just for Boogies that required one. It was never taboo to jump a specific manufactures container or canopy because I didn't or wasn't currently holding a membership. I do like the benefits such as insurance in case something happens to the plane or "third Party" which I do know has been a financial burden for jumpers without. It just seems to me that you need to follow the FAR's to the letter, or wording, and also understand the USPA's Sim and try to interpret both.

My doctor told me to use the Afrin right before climbing in the plane. He was a fighter jet pilot from Viet Nam to Desert Storm. He told me that there was a pocket in the flight suit on his bicep to carry this Afrin. When he had problems equalizing he would use the sprays to open up the Eustachian tubes. The problems I had, I just had tubes put in my ears to fix it. With a hole in the eardrum there is no equalizing to deal with. You cant swim with the tubes, but you jump as much as you like and there is no problem. There is only pain on the way down normally for most skydivers. Chewing gum or using mints on the way up causes yourself to swallow and to have saliva to swallow which is the normal way to open your Eustachian tubes to equalize. PET's or Pressure Equalization Tubes can fix the problem for short terms unless you have your doctor insert the T-tubes which should last from 1 to 4 years before your eardrum ejects them naturally.

I know, Right? I was just hoping someone would recognize the names and maybe remember someone that would remember the same story. I didn't bring up the one about jumping the jet without a group to jump with and followed out a four way and ended up geeking their jump the whole way down just so I could track away with them without worrying about another group that might have been behind me.

I was on a load at the last minute for a high altitude jump on Mike Mullins King Air August 10th 1997. I was given a FREE jump from Mike Mullins, which he honored, because he ran out of oxygen at a boogie a month before. I ended up jumping with a husband and wife whose names I have in my log book as Jamie and Paul. Mike announced, "23,500 feet, Exit, Exit, Exit." I told Paul I did not have an AAD and informed him to make sure I opened in case of something like hypoxia. I was worried about the jump because at the time I was a smoker. When it came time for us to jump, we were last out, I was at the door and his wife stayed at the front of the plane and looked confused. I exited. I didn't want a bad spot. Paul followed shortly after I and it seemed like forever that his wife followed out the plane. Around a minute of freefall we finally made a round and our plan was a horny gorilla. His wife had nothing to do with the plan and Paul and I funneled. I tracked off and waved, and as I was pulling I looked back behind me and Paul was two feet behind me. He later told me he has pulled for two people before. He was there for me because I asked him to make sure I opened. I later found out that his wife blew out her eardrums during descent. Does anyone know off such a couple? I would like to thank him and get in touch. I only remember that they were from the Eastern United States. I never got their full names and wonder if they are still jumping.

Today while I was packing tandems a newer jumper was packing his rig and had some question about packing it. I was telling him about checking his steering lines and showed how to get get the line twist out. I was showing the importance of the fact and to get in a habit of doing this while packing because later on when he downsizes it will be a habit. While showing him how I noticed that there where two separate lines going to the brake handle. There was a knot before the lines connected to the handle. Has anyone seen a separate line so that the Sabre 1 190 has two lines going all the way to the brake handle?

I hope Buff takes you up on your offer. I myself liked having him around the DZ. He is the type of jumper who brought the DZ a upbeat and likeable personality that made it fun to hang out and he treated everyone like family. What ever happened it didn't change anyone that I know that would make him someone who is shunned. Buff is a very learned person and shared a lot to me and others whether it had to skydiving or life itself. It is sad for him to not be there. I have always thought that this DZ is one that is not the one that has the drama BS that some DZ's have. On the same note it still has some drama but it is more like family quarrels that every family should have. I don't think that what happened couldn't be fixed by a hand shake and a hug, or even a Fuck You and lets get back together, settled. I know I am not perfect and don't think anyone is. I was flipping some guy off in traffic the other day while he was screaming at me. If I met him now I'm sure we could still be friends and laugh about what happened. Life is to short for anger. I just wanted to give my two cents. The skydiving community always seams to be a family that has it's ups and downs. I know my family is the same. In the end I still Love them. I would love to jump again with ya' Buff at the DZ.