howardwhite

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Posts posted by howardwhite


  1. It was taking off to the south on 19. Got about half way down and then shut down. Copilot fixed the problem, the plane back taxied, and took off normally.
    As to the pump thing, the only one I remember was a 180, 44C, which had no jumpers in it. There were railroad ties around the pump and the pilot was taxiing to get fuel when the wheels hit a tie. The plane went up on its nose and burst into flames. Mike, the pilot, got out safely but the plane was totalled. The staff immediately painted out the PI logo and markings to avoid bad publicity pix.

    HW

  2. Astounded to learn of the death of Gary Harbird, D-25785, in a BASE jump in Europe.
    Known also as "Muppet," he was from southwest England (Dunkeswell) but had been working in the states as an instructor and video guy for many years, at Providence/Boston Skydiving Center and then at Jumptown. He did a lot of BASE jumps, including from a TV tower about two miles from my home -- I'll never go by it again without thinking of him.
    He had also worked as a tunnel instructor and coach and helped me beginning to understand backflying only a couple of months ago..
    Blue skies, Mup.

    HW

  3. I'm saddened to learn of the death this morning of Denis Ducharme Sr. D-5274 of Dracut, MA.
    He was the ultimate fun jumper -- never much interested in competition or instruction, but always in boogies. And he was an active demo jumper, with a Pro rating. He mostly jumped in New England, but also Florida boogies.
    I put Denis out, along with his friend Tommy LaRochelle, on their first jumps in Orange, MA about 40 years ago. I always joked with him that I made a mistake by attaching his static line.
    He contracted brain cancer about a year ago.

    HW