peek

We are just trying to improve accuracy. This is very technical stuff, and if we get things wrong or incomplete, it really adds a lot of confusion. Here is a start for your research: http://www.uspa.org/FAA-USPA/Aircraft-Modifications Here is a nice resource too: http://rgl.faa.gov/ Use the Supplemental Type Certificates database. Search for "parachute"

This is a far cry from what you wrote in your first post: "often have provisions" versus "requires". "door removal or modification approvals" versus STC". I know it sounds like we are being overly picky, but this type of thing matters. You can't just "pull" something from the FAA web site or a document. You must also understand it, and if you can't, you must ask someone to explain it. And what if the door modification (and I'm talking about the type where you make it hinge from the top) was done via some method other than an STC? (Hint: Very few are done with an STC.)

Yes, both DBCOOPER and I are asking for a reference. Well, where does it say that?

Peter, I'm sorry, but your "facts" are very much in doubt. "DBCOOPER" is asking you to verify where you got the information about the "STC" you mention. I am now doing so too. It is entirely possible that you found an error somewhere on the FAA web site. Show us where you got your information and we can determine whether it is actually a mistake. (I have found such mistakes and have told the FAA about them, and they responded to my corrections.) Dropzone.com forums need technical accuracy. Skydiving and skydiving aircraft are both very technical. Inaccuracies add a great deal of confusion. By the way, your profile STILL lists a D license number that belongs to "Rebecca L. Brocato" even though I think I told you about this years ago. See what I mean about accuracy?

Oh, yes, it is my understanding that this is being looked into, no GM specific stuff required. It is so difficult to think that anyone could even think of doing such things in this day and age, much less do them. For those of you interested, here are the reviews: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/dropzone/review.cgi?ID=1564

Aerial photos are common. I'm asking about separation of high speed landings from normal landings.

Good for them. Keep 'em coming.

Derek, In response to your post #51 above- From the Group Member pledge: "Establish landing procedures that will include separation of high-speed and normal landings.These landing procedures must be prominently displayed and communicated to all jumpers at the drop zone." To all: How many dropzones have this in place? A dropzone's web site would be an obvious and efficient place to have such a thing. Can anyone point to a dropzone web site where such a thing exists? Or do they have something physically displayed on a wall at the dropzone?

No, just Dacron line loops. They are very tight where it takes some effort to get the bights through them. I only made one for myself, and I copied an older style like accuracy jumpers used.

No, actually the original designs use medium to large diameter line with bights in it, to push into (very small and tight) loops that pass through #0 grommets on one half of the slider. Grab the line and yank it, instant split slider. If you ask enough skydivers here, I bet you will find someone who has their canopy unpacked and can take a picture for you. (Mine is packed.)

I am looking for some pictures for a client. I need pictures of a round parachute looking up, like you were jumping it. 1. Normal parachute 2. Line over (Mae West) 3. Line twists 4. Damaged panels? 5. Streamer? It sure would be nice to have these pictures be of an unmodifed parachute, not one with panel modifications for steering. (I know may be asking for a lot.) Maybe pictures some of you older instructors used when you taught course when you were using round, unmodified parachutes. (Yes, I know I'm an old instructor, but I don't have any pictures like this!)

Yes, and that is a good idea for those who do not have access to static line direct bag components, which is how I jumped my Swift Plus before putting in my Pilot Emergency Parachute rig.

Thank you very much. Just a source for this would be good, because I know that others would be interested if I bought some.

It is always very well attended. I don't know what they make available to members related to the conference. I think James means DZ's but maybe both. His main points are that many DZs are not doing much marketing at all, and some of the things that work well are free except for the time to do them. So he is telling people to do those first before spending a lot of money on advertising. (These are just my interpretations. Better to ask him of course.) www.dropzone.marketing

They are called the DZO Conference and they are held in conjunction with the BOD meeting which for some time now has been held in conjunction with the PIA Symposium. They have speakers and discuss a wide rang of topics. They have a Q&A "roundtable" too. I think they have at least some statistics. Hell yes, they discuss marketing! They sometimes have speakers like James La Barrie for goodness sake. No, you just have to pay for attendance.

But don't you think these problems can be eliminated by a little bit of instruction?

That is very interesting, thank you.

In the midwest we have quite a few red-tailed hawks, and I see a lot of them under canopy at various dropzones. It is amazing to me how close they will let you get before taking evasive maneuvers, especially since a canopy is so much larger and would seem to be a rather large potential predator. Last weekend I was able to do some turns to get closer to one, and though I can't be sure, it seems like I was about 50-70 feet from it before it changed its flight. How close have any of you been able to get to a hawk? Do you suppose that the hawks that let you get close are "experienced" with canopies and are no longer bothered by them?

Can a former actor ever be a successful president? (Sorry, I'm going to be a trouble maker and answer the question with another question.)

Thread parted in the weave is of no consequence at all. PD has determined that with their Optimum reserve fabric. Sorry, that was kind of a euphemism.

Why, yes I can, but jeez, some holes are just so small that I'm not sure it is worth parting the threads in the weave with a needle to fix it. What amazes me is just how poorly ripstop tape sticks to zero porosity fabric. Duct tape would stick better! (Do not take this seriously.)

I haven't been asked to take care of a small hole in a main canopy for a while. I just tried using some ripstop tape that I have had around for a while on a very small hole (3/16 inch), but it wouldn't stick worth a darn. Is there a more advanced ripstop tape available now that can be used for zero porosity fabric? My tape is a few years old but it sticks fine to non-zero porosity fabric.

Anyone who wants a copy, please email me and I will send a copy. The online agenda seems to be missing it. Gary Peek [email protected]

I think the answer to this is rather straightforward. These straps need to be tight to hold the container close to your body. It would seem that your instructors should know about these straps, but then again, I know of a lot of people that do not think the tightness of them matters all that much. (I think you might want to ask around.) To me that wasn't scary low, but it is low enough for many of us to be concerned. I suggest going through some scenarios with your instructors to help you understand the importance of pulling a bit higher. Using the reserve is a possible solution if you can't find the main handle. But I'm not saying that is what you should have done. Ask your instructors.

I have to hand it to human beings. Sometimes they think up the most interesting and crazy stuff. I have been hearing on my local radio station about (usually young) people taking selfies where they are standing on a railroad track and the train is approaching. Brilliant! (Except for the safety stuff.) Some of them wait a bit too long to move. Maybe the field of view causes the train to seem further away than it really is. So here is my safety idea. Have a friend with you that is facing the train and not looking through a lens, and when they get scared, have them pull you out of the way. Just a public service announcement you can pass on to your kids. :) You may be wondering if I am being serious in this post. Well, I don't know either, but a train selfie seems important to comment on.