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... I think the USPA should be an organization for skydivers run by skydivers. I am not a fan of it also trying to represent DZ's or Manufacturers, regardless of the size. ... I think that Charlie, by saying "and no one speaking up for the little mom and pop DZs", perhaps made you think that he does not care so much for regular USPA members, but I'm quite sure he does, having spoken with him many times. His initiative to change USPA's policy on aviation medicals for tandem instructors would benefit many members. I too am not a fan of USPA trying to represent DZ's and Manufacturers, but USPA is lobbied by them during many meetings, and it has been working.

Actually, his statement is more accurate than many people might think. He put the word "industry" in quotes for a specific reason, because that is where the influence on the BOD is now, not from DZOs. Charlie is an attorney, so he is not influenced by how much money he needs to make from his DZ. (Just not losing any money would be good!) So that means he can't have much in the way of financial conflicts-of-interest. He would be a good USPA BOD member.

Jim, I think the first thing I would do is to see what the pack volume is of the Unit compared to the PD190. I don't think you want something much too big or too small in your container. The Unit might be much bulkier. Sorry, I have no idea where to get the Unit pack volume, but the PD190 pack volume will be in a catalog somewhere.

Same here. I write native code application software for Windows to go with my microcontroller products, and have yet to hear any complaints about any of it not working. I have XP on my main desktop computer, which has everything and every application that I use for work and entertainment. I haven't had an OS issue for a very long time. I actually still use CAD software written for DOS, and XP will run it. The later OS's will not. If I want to "upgrade" to CAD programs for later OS's it would cost me many thousands of dollars. (When you are in a CAD program window it doesn't matter if it is a Windows window or a DOS window. The program looks and works about the same!) I know "Amazon" thinks we are crazy, but I like having things as simple as I can. I don't "need" what the later OS's have to offer. A comment attributed to Albert Einstein is that "Everything should be as simple as it can, be but not simpler." I have a laptop with Windows 7. It is OK too, but it is a distant secondary computer for me, used mainly while traveling.

Who and when was this? Glen Hobbs at Snohomish, WA 31 May 2013 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=4493965;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; I read that thread initially. As I re-read it it makes more sense, but how do we know that having so much experience in a tunnel, and much less experience in skydiving caused his attitude? He seemed like a lot of skydivers we have read about. I think we all wish we had the answers.

Who and when was this?

Merely having possession of the keys? How else is Joe going to get into his car? What is he supposed to do? Unlock the car door and throw the keys on the ground while he opens the door, gets the phone, and re-locks the door? Is there a scenario by which he could do this without it being illegal? I haven't checked local (US) laws, but I thought that the key had to be in the ignition switch to determine intent to drive.

Very, very good questions, Mary. I have been assuming my GoPro and my camera mounting system, so that I have control of the maintenance. If it is mine I am not worried. If someone is using an un-maintained system then they may want to worry about these things.

This isn't anything new (other than the camera on the student's thigh, I think!) We talked about this about a year ago. A number of instructors were using cameras on the student's hand with various degrees of success. I think that the lack of consistency in the student's performance discourages most instructors from doing this (and charging for it). Personally, I am not too concerned about any safety issues. It seems safer to me to have the camera on the student than on the instructor's hand. Plus, the student is not expected to do handles checks, so they can stare into the camera all they want. It will be interesting to hear comments from those who might have been doing this for a year or more.

Nope. The Sonys that do have it can only use it for outside video, because it won't work in the 170 degree FOV mode. So there's still no stabilization anywhere for handcam or for inside close up video. Thanks for the information. I guess I have just gotten used to the somewhat "jumpy" video of the POV cameras, or maybe it is the computers I have been viewing them on.

Well, that shows you how much I know. Do the GoPros have it?

I just checked it again. I assume that you must be "logged on" to Facebook in some manner.

Can anyone tell if the Replay 1080MINI has image stabilization? I don't see it listed in the specs, but sometimes I wonder how complete or correct specs are. Their sample video looks good, but I'm not a very discriminating viewer of such things, with me not knowing a great deal about video. http://www.replayxd.com/product/1080-mini/

https://www.facebook.com/cleansafequietskies Read down a few pages. There sure does seem to be a lot of hate for General Aviation and Skydiving here. Makes Kim seem like a sweetheart doesn't it?

Did you ever figure out why that opening was so hard? The Sabre 2 is not normally noted for opening hard.

But dear, you are an incredible bad-ass on dropzone.com, and have been for years. A USPA National Director candidate and everything! Who needs a GoPro when you have that going for you?

You mean that's why I wander into the other lane when I take a drink of my beer? Cause I'm old? Hmmph!

"Is there any testing or re certification needed on a unit?" I don't remember any, but I'm unsure. "I was told there was a SB in the early 2000's but I can't seem to find info on it nor if it was ever complied with on the card. Anyone know what it was?" Firmware and a more robust cable are the only changes I recall.

No service bulletins for a very long time. Batteries are still available. I think they sold enough Astras in years past that they have good service capability. I think you will need to contact Guardian/FXC to get the latest.

I know what the tern means in other sports. I was wanting to know who coined it "as used in skydiving". Skydive U? One of the other instructional organizations?

Does anyone know the origin of the expression "sweet-spot" as used in skydiving to describe the amount of flare required to make a canopy level out and stop/reduce its descent? It is used in the USPA SIM, ISP Category E section but is not in the glossary.

Thank you for your opinion about that. I hope the "inside video/POV video isn't very good so why have it" crowd is paying attention. You are not the first person who has described why POV cameras are useful in this manner. People need to get used to cameras being used for something other than "good video". FMI:http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4728457#4728457 (The normal safety caveats apply.)

Perhaps I should have used the word "newer", "newest", or "different". I realize that the Spectra ripcord has been around a while.

FYI: http://www.pcprg.com/hardop.htm

I feel your pain! I had to do a lot of research on a similar problem I had a while back that involved blacklisting. (By the way, in case I did not tell you specifically, all of my expected emails are arriving.) Thank you for your work.