chuckakers

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Posts posted by chuckakers

  1. On 3/18/2003 at 8:41 PM, smokeitdown said:

    One of the first Caravans was bought brand new by Dave "Cowboy" Williams around 1985. It was based in Jenkinsburg Georgia when it was not on the boogie circuit. It crashed on takeoff at Jenkinsburg that summer killing all aboard, including Williams. The NTSB sighted fuel contamination as the cause of the crash spawning rumors of conspiracy and sabotage.

    Well when you make international headlines after bouncing on a guy's driveway with 75 pounds of coke strapped to you, you might just piss off the Colombian drug lords you just ripped off. Pretty easy to see why there were conspiracy theories. 

  2. You didn't articulate what advice you give concerning full face helmets, but one thing you might want to have in that briefing is to open the visor if a water landing appears eminent.

    Jumpers - one that I can confirm - have drown after landing in water with the visor closed when the helmet rapidly filled with water.

    Some may advise to remove the helmet before landing, but submerged items like logs, rocks, and debris can still be an issue.

  4. On 1/15/2024 at 9:00 PM, Faicon9493 said:

    I just saw a commercial for the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL, and showed a skydiver jumping and landing in the pool by the hotel. Does anyone know who that skydiver was and who filmed it?

    There's a Hard Rock spot airing in Houston right now featuring Jeffro and Miles from Red Bull. No idea if it's the same one you're referring to.

    • Like 1

  7. 2 hours ago, wmw999 said:

    It's not, Chuck. It's when, belly to earth (mantis position, really), you push your hands down to steal your own air. It brings you down surprisingly quickly, while keeping your orientation. Don't want to do it for large distances (e.g. diving from the plane), but for those times you come out of your dive higher on the formation than planned, it's a great first step -- especially because of keeping the formation in view.

    Wendy P.

    Duly noted, but still not something I think should be learned based on a forum description. "I learned it on the internet" is filled with ER visits and worse.

    • Like 1

  8. On 11/18/2023 at 6:27 PM, Rickendiver said:

    You could try a self-burble technique.

    Careful what advice you dispense on web forums. The "self-burble" technique you describe sounds like a "no-lift dive" or diving with a fully vertical attitude. Without proper instruction and skill development, this maneuver can and has been deadly.

  9. On 2/21/2021 at 2:42 PM, nwt said:

    I don't think it's legally required, but it's definitely a good practice.

    FAR 105.3 - definitions

    "Reserve parachute means an approved
    parachute worn for emergency use to
    be activated only upon failure of the
    main parachute or in any other emergency
    where use of the main parachute
    is impractical or use of the main para-
    chute would increase risk."

    Simply put, a jumper must be equipped with a certificated reserve parachute that they only intend to use for emergency purposes.

     

    • Like 3

  10. On 10/22/2023 at 9:42 AM, wmw999 said:

    Is the purpose of USPA to grow the sport, or to support activities that significant numbers of members engage in, while encouraging safe practices?

    Directly from the USPA Governance Manual....

    https://uspa.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=g27h2pZ-sjw%3d&portalid=0

    "The purposes for which USPA is formed are as follows: To
    encourage unity among all persons interested in skydiving;
    to promote safety in all skydiving activities in the United
    States, to sanction skydiving competitions; to document
    officially all national and world skydiving records set by
    citizens of the U.S., to promote and encourage the study
    and knowledge of skydiving among the membership and the
    public at large; to cooperate with all government agencies
    connected with aeronautics or aeronautical activities; to
    compile information regarding the science of skydiving
    and to edit, publish, and disseminate the same; to select
    and train the United States Parachute Team for world
    competition."

  11. · Edited by chuckakers

    14 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

    Chuck, you might have been asked this before but: "Can you show where it (swooping) has grown the sport to such a degree that the fatalities and horrendous injuries are worth it?"

    As you might recall that was a part of this post:"

    Finally in that you don't like to answer questions. I'll ask again: "Can you show where it has grown the sport to such a degree that the fatalities and horrendous injuries are worth it?" You are an announced proponent of CP which,  those of us on the sharp end of the stick call swooping. Also, you believe that USPA should promote it for the better good of all. Obviously, you  must believe that the inelegant and sometimes bloody consequences of swooping at the introductory level where some of us live are worth it for what the sport gains. That, or you haven't actually thought about it seriously. So please answer the question. "Can you show where it (swooping) has grown the sport to such a degree that the fatalities and horrendous injuries are worth it?"

    You made a very incorrect statement that I don't like to answer questions. The reality is that I refuse to get suckered into dead-end conversations with the "yeah, but" crowd. Look through the forums and you will see that I answer questions routinely for anyone with a desire to have a sincere conversation on any subject. When I sat down to write this, I planned to address your post in great detail. After re-reading my own words, I've changed my mind. I will not take the bait.

    You know as well as I do that there is no acceptable level of injuries or fatalities in skydiving. There is no skydiving discipline designed or intended as a tool for growth, so making a connection between them and any intended promotional value is a false narrative. Here are the facts:

    CP is a legitimate, internationally recognized discipline. In accordance with USPA bylaws, we support all ISC recognized disciplines.

    CP is dangerous. Statistically it's more dangerous than other skydiving disciplines. Welcome to reality.

    All forms of skydiving are dangerous. I wholeheartedly support all of them.

    Finally, you suggested that I must either believe that CP injuries and fatalities are "worth it", or that I haven't "actually thought about it seriously". Brother, you are way off base. There is NOTHING in skydiving that I haven't thought about seriously. Pretty much every moment of every day. Anyone who knows me and my priorities knows that.

    Five left and cut.

     

    • Like 6

  12. 16 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

    Now there's a blast from the past. Fun to fly compared to everything else but the openings could be real doozies.

    Yep, I had one. Best performance by far for a wing in that era. And yes, every few dozen jumps an opening would jack up my neck. Probably wasn't the best canopy for a video guy back then, but it sure was fun to fly.

    • Like 1

  15. 1 hour ago, Deisel said:

    I wouldn't put forward an issue that there was no interest in. Posting here was simply a means to have a conversation about it. And it appears that the topic doesn't particularly resonate with anyone. 

    Not every good idea resonates with everyone or even a minority of folks. That's why USPA reps are here. We listen to ALL member thoughts that are brought forward and give every viable idea consideration.

    If a member asks a director (typically the regional director) to take an idea to the appropriate committee, he or she will do so. Whether or not it goes any further than that is the committee's call.

    If a member is not comfortable working with the regional director, they can contact me directly. 832-630-1213. I will assist.

     

    • Like 3

  16. On 8/7/2023 at 5:30 PM, Jeeperrs said:

    "I don't every plan to do the crazy crap you young people do"

    Famous last words. Welcome to the family.

    BTW, at 5'9" and 180, there is a LOT of good used gear that would fit you just fine.

  18. 2 hours ago, BMAC615 said:

    Totally agree that people should seek advice of competent professional canopy instructor. Care to point out what you believe is ridiculous, incorrect and deadly?

    Nope. That will only cause more sketchy opinions in reply. My point was and is obvious. Swooping is an extremely dangerous activity even when conducted by the highest skilled pilots. My sincere advice to everyone is to get professional canopy coaching, especially anyone planning on or doing high performance landings.

    • Like 1

  20. 14 hours ago, JumpRu said:

    If u filter out low turns done by people who has no clue what swooping is, no clue of how and when to do it, had not done hundreds jumps to find safe altitudes for it (making low turns without all that and more is REALLY STUPID) and u filter out people who thinks that flying absolute smallest wing they can land somehow makes them better pilot REALLY Stupid too) then I can assure you that by itself would bring swooping injuries well under average for skydiving. 

    Swooping is not safe. Swooping dangerous - damn dangerous.

     

  22. 10 hours ago, h3x said:

    My exit weight is ~150 (I'm a shorter, skinny guy), and I feel comfortable on the 135...and I do think I would be comfortable on a 120 as well.

    USPA conducts exhaustive analysis on each fatal incident that occurs in the U.S., and when it comes to canopy-related fatalities there is a well-documented pattern.

    There are three traits that are consistently connected to these incidents:

    1. The skydiver is male
    2. The skydiver has less than 1,000 jumps
    3. The skydiver was downsizing rapidly.

    My recommendation for young jumpers - including you - is to forego the downsizing and spend your money on professional canopy coaching. When I say professional, I don't mean whoever is the best you have locally (unless they are truly qualified). I mean real-world canopy coaches - like the folks who run companies focusing on the discipline. These coaches are in the best position to assess your skills and offer sound advice.

    • Like 1

  23. 1 minute ago, JerryBaumchen said:

    Ted told me that when he made the first tandem jump that they had a Strong 26 ft LoPo in the reserve container.

    That stuff wasn't dangerous back then.

  24. On 1/9/2023 at 6:30 AM, randhawa922 said:

    1. Is AFF from high speed (>250kmph) fixed wing aircraft conducted anywhere in the world ?

    2. Is there any limit on speed of the aircraft to conduct AFF course ?

    Why even ask the question? Any entity that can afford high speed aircraft can also afford aircraft that can be safely flown at slower speeds. There is simply no need to complicate things.

    If you require tailgate birds for tactical military freefall exits, just acquire tailgate aircraft like the Skyvan for initial training. This has been a routine practice for military freefall training for years.

    • Like 2

  25. Stats for this will be all over the map, if available on a mass scale at all. Student programs and retention efforts vary widely from DZ to DZ, and many don't track it beyond a guess.

    I can tell you from experience that the best student retention at my DZ came from getting first jump students to stay after hours for our parties.

    Seriously.

    • Like 2