Spooky52

Yes, they will. My one and only major injury was from a stall at about 35 feet due, as far as I can tell, to turbulence around the buildings surrounding the landing area for the demo I was doing at the Oakland Army Terminal. I was flying a StratoStar and was on approach when I reached down to drop the smoke bracket. When I looked up I was at eyeball level with the low voltage lines and must have gone beyond half brakes too high. Dropped like a stone and broke my right foot in seven places including putting the navicular onto the other side of the foot, under the skin. Nine days in Letterman Army Hospital and several months of a cast to my knee. Not fun. But I did go back to jumping the Strat because it had been the best canopy I had ever had. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

For those who don't already know, Perry D. Stevens, D-51, passed this morning at 8:44 a.m., after a long battle with cancer. He was 84. Perry is the creator of the RSL and has saved many lives. He never patented his invention, preferring instead to let it be free to the world. Perry also owned Stevens Paraloft in Oakland for many years and Antioch Paracenter until he sold it and retired. He is one of the pioneers of the sport and will be sadly missed by those of us who knew him. I posted this here because he IS part of skydiving history. Anyone who sees fit is welcome to move it to other forums as you see fit. Rest in peace, Perry. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Thanks. I appreciate the information. I think I vaguely remember hearing something about this. Jim If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

At the risk of showing my ignorance (I was away from the sport for 32 years until 4 years ago, would someone please explain to me what the Skyride deal is and what problems have been had from them? I read the "sticky" and it didn't really explain anything. Thanks in advance. Jim If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Doc, if you can contact Martha Hamel on Facebook (or have someone do it for you) she can probably give you his address since he was at the reunion in October. Jim If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

They usually make the pic available but I haven't seen anything anywhere. Might check with Martha. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Went back and looked in my logbook. I flew, etc., 2592G, not the one in the photo. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Well said, Doc. It was nice to be able to put a face with a name. Thoroughly enjoyed meeting Chief. As you know, I'm a Shepherd nut. :-) It was a fun day except for trying to get the photo. Trying to get a bunch of skydivers to do something is like herding cats. Hope to see you again. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Tapewells and a blast handle, what more could one ask for? :-) If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

In the last photo I think the one third from left is Debbie Willett. The one with the helmet MAY be Martha Hamel but I can't see enough of the face to be sure. The two on the ends I don't know at all. I have jumped, flown and wrecked that 182. Also took out the 206 at the same time. Not good. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

I just sent Martha a request for her email address. As soon as I get it I'll send it to you here. If, for some reason you don't get up with her, just show up. That's what I did the first time four years ago. You ought to get on Facebook, if for no other reason than to get the info and updates on the gathering. I hope you are able to bring the plus one. I'm looking forward to seeing her. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

For those not already aware, there is a reunion of Northern California skydivers at the Italian Society grounds in Jackson, CA on Saturday October 7, 2016. This event is held every two years and is a good time to meet old friends. Martha Hamel is the main organizer and she can be contacted on Facebook for more details. There will be food, a silent auction, music and bullshit stories galore. Plan to attend and tell your friends. Hope to see you there. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

If anyone here has jumped in Northern California, there is a reunion of Nor Cal Skydivers at the Italian Society grounds in Jackson, CA on October 7, 2016. Martha Hamel is the main organizer and she can be contacted on Facebook. Cost is $35. If you plan to come, contact her as soon as possible so she can get an accurate count. There will be food, fun, bullshit stories and a silent auction. It's fun so come on up. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Another thing to keep in mind in regard to Red Rock is the altitude of the DZ. As I remember, you can check this on a sectional or online, it is over 3000'. This may affect the way you land. Just something to keep in mind. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

NO! That is a sure way to hurt them. They are not familiar with the characteristics of a square and more than likely will not be ready for the landing. I see lawsuit written all over that scenario. Yeah, yeah, waivers, etc. blah, blah, blah. I'm sure you are aware that waivers are only good as toilet paper. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Well, I guess I "ain't shit" because I have no intention of wingsuiting in any form. Guess I'm just old fashioned. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Sorry it took me so long to answer the question> I failed to read, I guess. The Travis club met and trained on the base but jumped at Yolo. We had a very nice facility in one of the old warehouses. The floors had been painted with epoxy paint so they would be smooth and we had a cage in which to store the club rigs. Eventually, the base decided to demolish the warehouse so we were left without a place to meet. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

I got along fine with George until after he retired and wanted to still use the Travis club as his own personal business. We put a stop to it and went to Antioch. I jumped one of George's rigs on a test once. Everything went fine until I hit terminal, head down. The pins on the piggyback reserve came out and the reserve opened, inverted, at terminal, un-restricted. OUCH. Actually blacked out for a second. I know it inverted because the pilot chute was hanging from the apex like the clapper on a bell. :-) His daughter doesn't have much nice to say about him. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Hi Mark: Just some extraneous 133 info for you. The late George Morar (D something or other. Don't remember and log books out in the shop), who used to run Yolo in the 60s and 70s was an engineer on C-133s at Travis. He was also on the one that had all four engines shut down over the Pacific and ditched the aircraft. Doesn't sound like fun to me. Just thought you might like to know. Jim N5Cot If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

It's a lubricant for muffdivers! :-) If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

I just checked the website. That's pretty cool. I've often thought about doing that myself, just haven't done it. I hope I'm available to listen on 10 meters for you. Good lick and 73. Jim Chandler D4501 and N5COT If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

I am looking for inspection and packing instructions for a GQ/Security "The Unit". The canopy appears to be new, never jumped. I obtained it from Perry Stevens so I trust that it is not junk. I am specifically looking for line routing info. the steering lines go over each other and I haven't figured out how to untangle them. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I currently have a PD 190 canopy in my rig but it seems a bit fast for an old fart like me when landing. I'm hoping that the Unit will be much more docile. Thanks. Jim Chandler D-4501 If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Is there anyone here who jumped at Antioch in the 78/79 area that knows what happened to John Romey? As I recall he sold cars in Oakland or somewhere. He was French and had quite an accent. I was doing a demo for his Army Reserve outfit at the Oakland Army Terminal in July of '79 when I broke my foot in 7 places when my canopy stalled at about 35 feet. Not fun. I lost touch with him after I left to go back in the Air Force. I'm hoping someone knows where he is. Thanks. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

As I used to tell my students, and still tell the handgun students, the only stupid question is the one unasked. I agree with the rest here. If this moron can't be civil and actually TEACH you, go elsewhere. Pretty soon, if enough students drop that DZ because of one douchebag instructor (who certified him anyway?), they will get rid of him. They cannot afford the bad word of mouth publicity. Trust me, you will be happier at another DZ with REAL instructors and it will certainly be worth the drive. If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!

Hi Skybill: I'm from North Carolina and had never heard an explanation for the name Kill Devil Hill. Right or wrong, thanks. At least it makes sense. Jim Chandler D4501 If you know how many guns you have - you don't have enough!