ChrisDykstra

Thanks for your suggestions...confirms what I thought may have been the case.

Hi Quade, Thanks for your response. Yes I am definitely turning the camera off between uses and more importantly at the end of each day so I have no idea what is happening...perhaps I keep getting a bad batch of batteries but to have 2 sets go in just over 2 weeks seems strange. As you say the switch shouldn't be draining any power due to the fact that it is a simple contact closure. I am using an original Canon RS-60E3 remote switch, have cut the wires and soldered to a small push button, which was purchased from a local electronics store. I might give Canon a call and see if they can shed any light. Prior to using the stills camera for skydiving I had a set of batteries in there for well over 6 months. I am just getting frustrated with having to buy new batteries every week or two. I may take your suggestion and simply remove the batteries at the end of the day to preserve them. Thanks again, Chris

My batteries (CR2) in an EOS300 film camera keep going flat within a week or two. I have a feeling that the tongue switch is draining the power even when the camera is turned off. It seems strange that the tongue switch would drain power when turned off but I just wanted to know if any of you guys and girls out there have suffered the same problem. This is really beginning to *&(# me off as I have already gone through 2 sets of batteries in a month. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments as to what the cause could be...or do you agree with my observation that the tongue switch could be the cause of the problem. Thanks, Chris

Hey guys thanks again, I really appreciate your input on this. Like most of you I too am a bit of a plane nut and seeing all those movies with graveyards is just amazing. It appears as though most of them are in AZ. I am flying into LA, would it be best to fly from LA to AZ or are we better off driving (we are from Australia though so if you see anyone on the wrong side of the road just toot your horn and wave gday). If we were to drive from LA approx. how long would it take? Can't wait to check out the US, its gonna be a mad mad trip that's for sure!

Thanks for the input, I'll look these places up and put at least one on my itinerary! Chris

Hey everyone, I know you guys (and girls) over there in the states have quite a few decent aircraft graveyards. Just wondering if someone could point out where the best ones are and any in particular that may be close to CA, FL or NY

Hi, just wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with the FF2 (2K Composites) camera helmets. I've checked out their website and this helmet looks really neat and really doesnt appear to be all that expensive. [/url]www.2kcomposites.com

Hey everyone, Just wanted to hear your thoughts on using a Gath helmet for a side mount camera setup. Some people have said that it is not that good because of the wall thickness. I just want to hear from anyone who may have something to add here and would be interested in hearing from people who use a Gath themselves as a camera helmet. Note I do not intend to put a stills camera on it, just want to put the DV camera on the side for some footage. I dont plan on flying camera for a profession (at least not yet) and if I do no doubt will buy a helmet that is more suited to this discipline.

I think that one of the biggest issues with skydiving is that the general population (whuffos) do not and can not appreciate the technicalities involved in the sport. Most people simply think that we are crazy idiots for wanting to jump "from a perfectly good aeroplane" and that is that. Anyone that skydives understands the technicalities and hence enjoy watching as much skydiving footage as possible. I think that skydiving should be considered as an EXTREME sport, probably one of the most extreme out there apart from BASE if you're game.....I don't think so.

The worst I have had is about 5km off DZ. Ended up having to land in a paddock surrounded by mad horses who gave a good stare whn we walked through their padocks! I remember being under canopy with nothing but trees below me.....turned towards the DZ only to see how far away it was, landed safely. From now on I try my best to locate the DZ at some point during freefall, if I am too far away I'll try and dump a little higher to compensate. Oh yeah the worst thing is when people driving by in their cars past the DZ know you hav landed off target andthen try to make fun of you fo landing such a long way away!

This is just my two cents worth..... The simple question to ask here is would YOU be prepared to get on a commercial airliner either knowing or not knowing that the two people up there on the flight deck are affected by alcohol, whether it be totally pissed or even slightly affected? Even though the pilot(s) may appear to be operating at a normal level, their vision, ability to make command decisions and the primary focus of flying the aircraft may be at risk!!! Airlines spend huge amounts of money training their pilots to become PROFESSIONALS and this should include their abilities to limit the amount of alcohol that they consume prior to any known flights. DiverDriver's company rule of 10 hours is a good example, perhaps it should be extended to 24 hours. Passengers place their entire lives in the hands of an airline and its cabin crew and pilots. If the pilots are irresponsible to the point where they can not control their intake of alcohol then in my eyes they should not be working in this PROFESSIONAL environment.

I'm just seeking a little feedback from people as to their preference for using rubber bands or tubestows on their D bags. A friend told me on the weekend that tubestows account for nearly 7 out of 10 baglock mals in the states! I've been using tubestows since I got my gear and have since put around 50 jumps on it without any hassles. I also had two rubber bands as the first stows then tubestows the rest of the way around the bag. I look forward to your comments!

well here is mine....i got this from www.martijnvandam.nl it's a pretty cool pic in my eyes.....

i personally think that you would have to be pretty stupid and pretty irresponsibe to do so. we all know that thunderstorms are dangerous whether you are on the ground or in the air. i wouldn't want to be under canopy or in freefall simply because the danger factor multiplies itself dramatically. aren't we all supposed to be responsible skydivers with responsible attitudes??? i think that if you are prepared to jump in poor conditions such as storms then you are putting your life in danger... at least this is my personal view anyway!

I believe that the fear factor plays a major part in the enjoyment of this crazy sport!!! I've only got 70 odd jumps and yes I do remember the first time that I looked down during freefall and yes it was pretty damn scary too!!!! These days I try to make an effort to look down and around as much as I can...especially since the other week when the spot was really bad, we opened at normal height (3,000) and when i turned towards the DZ I knew I had no chance of making it back, not even on rear risers!!!! many people have told me to look out for the DZ when in freefall, that way if you are way off, you can dump high and make it back without having to jump barbed wire fences with mad cows staring at you for walking through their paddocks. and i still get nervous each time i get on the plane!! it's not until i'm actually out the door that i feel better again and then the adrenaline has kicked in full time and the nerves suddenly disappear.