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So who cares what Michael Moore thinks? (Earnest question.) Does anyone besides the media think that what he does or says means anything? (They seem to hang on to every word he says.) He is a talented film maker from what I understand, but what else is he? (I kind of prefer Ken Burns' film making style myself.) Isn't there enough going on in the world for the media to produce a lot of sensational news articles without Michael Moore? Oh, and Merry Christmas (politically incorrect greeting.)

Ones with ejection seats! (I suggested to Bob that he post here because he might find some guys that have that type of military experience that can help him.)

You mean this? https://www.google.de/maps/@50.4791297,5.9121259,3a,75y,227.73h,48.87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUO_0H-xOTIwAAAGut300BA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1 I've never jump anywhere in north america, but in this side of the atlantic, all the caravans and grand caravans I've seen have single point restraints like this one. At least that's the case in Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. Where do skydivers normally connect those? If the airplane was just taking some passengers somewhere (no skydivers aboard) how would they use them with no rig on? Or do they just not do that?

Similar to Derek's response above, I have known of these violations at GM DZs. Plus these: "Night" jumps without lights. Doing tandem jumps without proper ratings. Using an airplane many hours past the inspection cycle. I think what he and I are trying to say is that the GM program does not seem to prevent things like this. We as individual members are not supposed to be doing those things, so why do we think that individual members at a GM DZ will do better? I personally know of a few non-GM DZs that do better than many GM DZs. I'm not negating your experiences, it's just that I have not seen a correlation between Group Membership and safety.

I am going to need some examples to believe that, and so is Derek. I can see your reluctance to specify DZ names, but what are some of the safety issue differences that you have seen? I have seen a wide variety of differences in DZs, but they don't seem to me to follow Group Membership or not.

For some reason I always felt as though Scotty would be with us forever. He was a "character" beyond the meaning of the expression. I am saddened to hear of his passing. None of us are going to last forever folks. Cherish your skydiving friends and acquaintances. Do not "rest-in-peace" Scotty. Stir it up wherever you are!

Yes! By the time a student has a few jumps you would think that they would have a little "ditty bag" or something (with their name on it) in which to put their logbook, Proficiency Card, goggles, and pullup cord. A guy needs something to put their keys and wallet into while they are jumping anyway. I have never understood a DZ keeping possession of a student's documentation (unless they really don't want them going elsewhere to jump.)

It varies depending on the size of everyone and how good they are at placing their body in a way that gives this person the most comfortable position. Usually facing either forward or backward. I have never seen anyone sit sideways. That, or they can turn enough to place their feet up on the left side of the airplane so that the person behind the pilot facing rearward can put their legs under them. (This works very well to save room.)

Attached picture is typical of how the 3 rearmost jumper seatbelts are installed following one of the STCs that USPA sells for the C182. This arrangement has been installed in many airplanes. They are reasonably convenient. The jumper in front uses the existing seatbelts.

Am I correct in seeing that the brakes were never unstowed? If so, why not?

Of course it is better, and I'm glad you mentioned that. "Looking at the horizon" is what students were told back when they were jumping round parachutes. It made sense then, but no longer does. But people are still using that expression!

Good to hear.

Very good! Cheaper and stronger.

To determine the size I just did some quick measurements using a tandem rig. The mating magnet for the main closing flap (whose magnet was missing) seemed like 1 inch. But also, maybe riser covers are a different size. That's the nice part about a company like www.apexmagnets.com, you can buy nearly any size (and shape) you want.

https://www.apexmagnets.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=&q=M1x18DI I just received some of these and they seem to be approximately the same as those used by some manufacturers. Note: They might be stronger, so make sure that additional strength is not a problem for your application.

Terry. thank you for those explanations. Did the author of this report not have time to write up some explanations of the data? According to your explanation, the "AAD Fire" line in the chart does not seem to be what many people would think it is. I am puzzled by the findings described in the report, that is, "... the Committee Members have yet to locate evidence that supports or indicates a systemic or specific equipment design issue.", considering this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaYQ6iP8zlg

I don't know, but an Instructor can sign off most things except instructional ratings, D licenses, and Pro ratings, (unless I'm forgetting something).

By all means, tell us more! I have never heard anything about that before. You would not think that companies like Groupon would be concerned about anything like that.

It sounds quite challenging, but I would love to see a video of it. You might think about doing this in a wind tunnel first, that way the experienced dancers don't have to wait to become experienced skydivers, and so everyone has more time with which to work.

Thank you. I just saved a screen shot of the malfunctions page.

It depends on the definition of "tracking" dive. One definition is being in basically a tracking body position and flying in proximity of others, much like airplanes can fly in formation. In skydiving this means adjusting speed AND fall rate. The body position used by some of the jumpers might be more of a "delta" position to adjust position and fall rate. If this is what you want, just start small and add people as everyone gets skilled enough to stay close. Of course, plan your flight paths and breakoffs well. You will need to get some local help with this, especially the local flight paths. There may be some tutorial articles somewhere on tracking dives. (However, if what you are wanting to do is to build tracking skills related to moving away from a formation before pulling, then someone else may have better advice.)

May I put these files in my skydiving instructional area on my web site? If you tell me what you want on it, I can add an author or a source at the top.

You mean the back seat and its seatbelts are still there? Cool! Of course you could spoil the skydivers with such an arrangement. :)

Yes, plus, most of them address the issue of additional seat belts and brackets, and removal of the right seat (and rear seat) and right hand yoke. Most of them require a placard for the pilot wear a parachute. What do you have in addition to the STC's since the STCs address only the removal of the door and do not mention the step at all? Field Approval for the door and step?

The answer is that there is no simple answer. DBCOOPER and I were simply commenting on you posting things like "So the FAA website says that the STC for the door mod for skydiving operations requires the pilot to wear a bailout rig", which is incorrect. I can't give you a simple answer, so I went to the trouble of trying to help you learn about aircraft modification for skydiving. If you are not willing to do a little research to understand the issue, then I can't help you much.