Bob_Church

The latest update on UPS' tracking page for a package I'm waiting for. As of a couple of minutes ago, 1:35 pm, 12/20/2017. “This shipment is progressing through the postal system to the final destination.” Estimated Delivery 12/19/2017

I've never seen anyone else deal with students the way Mike does. It can be 95 degrees out, seventh load of the day and everyone else is looking miserable and basically saying "let's get this over with" to their next student, but you'd think it was Mike's first jump from his level of enthusiasm.

Absolutely. Neither side has a monopoly on intolerance and self-imposed ignorance anymore.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/connecticut-parents-pull-kids-school-ivanka-trump-visits-article-1.3709675 The parents don't like Trump. Ok, no problem. But they're upset that they didn't have a chance to pull their kids from school before a visit from his daughter. Think about that. It's mind boggling and yet not at all surprising anymore.

I have five high speed malfunctions. I couldn't cut-away on the first, student rig was wired shut, but I've cut away on all of the others including my fourth which was a total on a ripcord deployed main. I had been loaded the rig and when I said I didn't know how to pack it they gave me a booklet. I assume that I somehow jammed the spring loaded pilot chute between the main and reserve. I pulled the main ripcord handle and nothing. On pulling the reserve ripcord the main deployed and started wrapping around the reserve, leaving burn marks on both, but since I'd cut away the risers were unwinding and according to people on the ground the canopies unwound from each other and the main was flung away. But that would have been impossible if I had't pulled the R2s first. I was knocked out by opening shock and didn't even know the main had deployed, by the time I woke up it would have been too late. So, as people say, there are no guarantees. Train until you do things automatically then stick to your script.

A used neptune II. They are cheap compared to the new designs. I don't see any compelling feature of the new designs that makes them worth so much. Mine still works great, perhaps the still available "armor" case has helped it last so long, along with not bothering to change anything for different jumps (less pushing on the buttons) and treating it gently. They're not easy to find though. At least it took me quite awhile. But it was worth the search.

Here is a shortened version of one of Adam Conovers infotainment pieces on Xmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D11jAEKgB2o And the really amusing thing is that the Puritans banned it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_in_Puritan_New_England The biggest irony of modern Christmas to me is the travel. In the 19th Century and even a lot of the 20th this was a dark snowy time when it was best to light up the house and visit each other locally. And personally I think it still is. Only now what do so many people have to do? Buy a ticket on an airline and try to fly through Chicago during the worst time of the year.

That's really slick. I've got a few Parachutists' from the 70s as PDFs so if you're missing any let me know and I'll check. But thanks for the site. It's really appreciated.

I was talking to some old friends last night and this one came up. Two guys, father and son, showed up for a static line first jump. The jump master and I were going to go on up after he put them out. The son went first. He hung from the strut with the static line over his left shoulder. At the last moment he let go with his left hand and have his father a thumbs up. This caused him to rotate and I could here his teeth slam together as the static line caught him under the chin. Somehow he came out of it unhurt, or claimed to be.

I do not have the definitive history of the discussions that led to this protocol. (If you think you do, please provide a reference.) However, from what I know, it is thought that the reserve side instructor insures stability (to the extent that they can), while the main side instructor insures pilot chute deployment (to the extent that they can). If either of them cannot perform their task, then priorities change and they make the best of the situation. I once had such an unruly student that I'm glad the reserve side instructor was able to use both hands to keep them stable while I got the pilot chute out, and was able to keep both hands on them throughout the rest of the deployment. I'm just curious, and wonder if my memory is worse than I thought, but wasn't the original protocol for the reserve side instructor to fly away somewhere near opening altitude. I'm not arguing with either just trying to figure out if I remember it right or not.

We were getting one last load in as the sun disappeared and I was in the kneeling in the student position. They'd been doing work on the airport all summer so I didn't think anything of the new lights at the far end of the strip. I said "damn, those runway lights look the same as wingtip lights" just joking around. From the sound John made I assumed the they weren't runway lights. John mushed the 182 barely into the sky and as the incoming plane passed below us by maybe three feet, tops, I could see the other pilot's face, even in the low light conditions. And he was pissed, as you would expect.

I get goose bumps just thinking about that noise a canopy makes as it zips up the lines behind you. Nothing, for me at least, ever compared with CReW for great skydiving.

It sounds as though this is a new canopy. Along with the danger of microcline, CReW can be hard on a canopy. Getting a used canopy for CReW might actually save you money.

But that seems like as much trouble as finding a rigger for a repack. For me, at least, it wouldn't save anything.

Are any of these things small enough for the reserve pilot chute and free bag?

This why I support a 1-yr pack cycle for the US. Jerry Baumchen I would love that. I'd be more than happy to pay twice what I'm paying now, riggers have to eat, but the nearest rigger to me is hours away.

Thanks you and John for the feedback.

Statements about having another tool in the toolbox worry me. Not to push the metaphor too much but the more tools you have the more time you may burn up thinking which one is best this time. I've tried to come up with the one best way to handle each type of situation then practice and think about that.

Saved me at least once. And a stand-up from an old, 175 lb guy. I would have liked to seen them jump it, would have meant a lot more. However, nice to know that it would have worked. Jerry Baumchen I jumped a Swift as a main set up as a demo rig at the World Meet in 81. As for reserve openings, the 20" SAC I opened head down at terminal would be the most memorable except I was out for most of it.

Can anyone here describe what it's like to jump a paradactyl? I keep hearing "unstable and dangerous" but that's my second wife I was hoping for something more specific. I'd like to know how the instability manifests itself, that sort of thing. And how relieved were you each time you landed one unharmed?

He came to one of our reunions a few years back and gave an incredible talk. Nice guy, too. Ed is leaning against the post and Mike Todd is next to him. Ed developed the paracommander and was the first person to land a square. http://www.mywvhome.com/more/reunion/reunion9Large.jpg

Good point, I bet it will be here by then, and if not there I'll scan and post. Bob

I've always felt that not wearing a helmet has just made me more careful about where I put my face.

A friend of mine is a prison psychiatrist. The subject came up once when we were talking about a friend in prison. It turns out that, as usual, it's not even as simple as saying pedophile. They've got all kinds of terms for different variations. There are males of a certain age that like children who have developed this much, but no more, and the list goes on. I've always been good with sick bastard, but his paperwork is a lot more demanding.

A lot of people escape the winter cold by going to Florida DZs. Jumpers from all over the world, in fact. It's quite an experience. If you get half a chance go to Zephyrhills or Deland or some place. It'll open up a whole new aspect of the sport and be lots of fun. This is exactly what I am doing next week as an AFF student in NC. Round trip flights can be had from Durham to Orlando for less than $100 including fees. I am hoping three days at Zephyrhills is enough time to finish the remaining 15 jumps to try for an A license. That sounds great, it really does. And remember, even if you can't jump with the more experienced jumpers it's great to get to know people. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make new friends at these places.