TitaniumLegs

They did one for me in about a week and a half. It depends on the season and their workload. If you ask Kolla really nicely, she may let you rent a demo while yours is in. Last I checked, $30 for two weeks. Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Neat stuff. I noticed in the spinning mal pictures, the jumper is face-down when he chopped. Do you have any tests results or photos of chopping from a "twisting" mal, as in a Spinetto, or other back-to-earth scenario? The other thing I don't see is the pin puller part of the RSL. Is that the same as current implementations? Thanks Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

I'm an AFF/I. I AM your audible altimeter. I'm also your other AAD, if you miss your window. Like both devices, I am not 100% reliable (or even if I am, I should not be treated as 100% reliable). You should forget about the presence of the AAD, you don't need the additional distraction of the audible, and except for signals, you should ignore me and do your job as you were taught. Oh, yeah, and have *fun*! Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Wasn't a problem when I lived there, but I left in 1995. A German once told me I couldn't buy my gear overseas (i.e. USA) because no German rigger would put the "Gurtesiegel" (Harness seal) on it or do reserve repacks unless customs was paid. I said as a government contractor on military status, I'm not subject to such taxes. I had my reserve repacked by a couple different German riggers, and was never asked about a "Gurtesiegel" at any DZ, so if it's really a rule, it isn't enforced. Given how many Germans jump US gear, I'd be surprised of they enforced the JTSO thing either. (Slight digression coming) Rules in general vary greatly from country to country, including who issues rigger ratings, what rating you need to do stuff and what standards have to be met. For instance, you need to be a rigger to modify a main (including put it on risers) in some countries (such as Canada), but these rules and the rigger ratings are issued by CSPA. Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

I doubt it will be much worse, if even as bad as current airport security. What's security like at, say, Sears Tower or the Transamerica Pyramid right now? People gotta get to work or the bad guys win. As far as getting a rig in, that wouldn't be too tough, with the right connections (and I don't mean the security guards). Getting on top and to a point you can launch could be tricky. If I worked in such a place, there would be a base rig in a drawer of my desk, and my emergency egress would be preplanned, including the file cabinet or axe I'd put through the window to get it open (if necessary). The moral problem with this escape plan is the thought of leaving co-workers behind. The practical answer to that is that I'm the only one who could realistically operate the gear and make effective use of it. Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

You might want to teach them about safe.... umm.... packing, if you don't want the house full of pilot chutes.... ;-P (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Imagine you're a bus driver. At the beginning of the day, there are no passengers on the bus. At the first stop, a man gets on. At the second stop, two women get on. At the next stop, a woman gets off (leaves the bus. Get your mind outta the gutter!) and a man gets on. At the next stop, two men get on. So, now, think carefully.... What's the name of the bus driver? ------------------------------------------------ This one works better as an oral quiz, but what the heck.... How do you spell POTS? (as in "pots and pans") - Spell it out loud, even if you're at work. How do you spell TOPS? (as in "the tops of the pots and pans") - Again, spell it out loud, even if people have been looking at you funny. How do you spell SPOT? (as in "There's a spot on the tops of the pots and pans") - Spell it out loud. What do you do when you come to a green light? BSBS Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

'Cuz they're easier to catch? Fewer hassles with the SPCA? (Not speaking from experience.) (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

A few months before our first Valentine, I was perusing the online canopy list at Square1, and asked Steph what she thought of a couple colour combos. She said of one of them "I don't think that's right for you, but I'd jump something like that." She didn't notice that the sizes and models I was looking at were more in line with her needs than mine. Click! So the day before the Valentine's Money meet, we're fun jumping and when she dumped, rather than her ratty orange PD135, was a pretty purple and white Spectre 120. Happy Valentine's, baby! The point (or my gripe) is, you can't earn points to use in following years. Ever since then, I've been trying to come up with something to rival a new canopy! It's like "What have you done for me LATE-LYYYY?!?!" (Well, maybe not that bad!) So now I'm trying to come up with something special. I sure can't afford any new gear for her! Who comes up with all these holidays and events, anyway? Hallmark? I bet there's a conspiracy here, somewhere! Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Hard openings have nothing to do with it. Consider this: Dirt dart (non-altitude aware freeflyer) goes low and has a CYPRES fire wearing his Odyssey. Reserve goes which way? Past his feet. That means the risers are next to or around the main container. You think there's a chance a riser could snag in that corner? If the main was out it's much less likely since the main in the container is what makes it keeps its shape, but it's still possible. Now remember that it was a CYPRES fire in this hypothetical situation, so the guy's low and doesn't have much time to correct the spin he's in if only one riser or one side is caught. I saw something similar to this in 92 or 93 when an IAD student came off the Cessna in a turn and managed to get a main riser caught under the corner of the reserve container. He cut away, fired the reserve, which went through the risers of the main. The main rode up the lines of the reserve and choked it off and down he came. He lived, but I don't think he ever walked again. (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Guess you don't know Chris, do you? Lead pilot of the world record jumps at Chicago. Flies turboprops for a regional carrier. Chris: How often do you go in the box? Or is that not required for your carrier? Engine out is part of it, right? Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Further to that, as far as reasons why a separate tongue is better than closing loop on the bottom flap... You're right it's because of putting smaller canopies in the container than what should probably be in there. It gets to the point that the tension on the closing loop is no longer from compressing the d-bag, but rather squishing the grommets together. Talons and a few other rigs have been like this for years. A girl in Hollister had a problem with her Wings in that she couldn't get the pin in because the loop (on bottom flap) was too short. Another guy was trying to loosen it off too much. I lengthened it 1/8th inch which was enough to be closable, but still have some tension. With the closing loop on the tongue inside the container, the tolerance is greater, puts less strain on the loop, grommets and packer. (But here I am a mere sky weenie talking to one of the most respected riggers around!) (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

I was going to mention this in the HMA/Vectran thread, but I think it's important enough to have it's own headline. It amazes me to see how casual people are about walking on lines. Even some riggers and packers! Go ask on a climbing forum if it's OK to step on a rope, but make sure you put on your flame-proof skivvies first. We should be just as anal, because we are just as dependent on our "ropes", and the damage can be just as bad. There are three problems this causes: 1. Direct abrasion between your shoe and the ground. 2. Dirt either from your shoe or the environment getting pushed into the line. (This can happen on its own, but why help it along?) As the lines flex and are loaded and unloaded, they dirt cuts on the fibres. 3. Abrasion of internal fibres as your weight works the dirt against the fibres. Just because you can't see the damage does not mean it isn't there. There is a fourth risk in that the owner of the lines you just walked on might get violent in your general direction, or at least call you mean names and refuse to share his beer with you. BSBS Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Depends on what you mean by lower steering line. If you mean from the brake setting point to the toggle, (PD calls this the brake-to-toggle line), that isn't enough. The Vectran steering line on my EXTreme FX 99 failed at the top of the upper part of upper finger trap that forms the brake setting. PD calls the line from the cascades to the brake setting the lower steering line. From my experience, you need to replace that too. The bottom couple feet of it get almost as much friction as the brake-toggle line. You can replace the steering lines with Spectra, but then you're subject to shrinkage. Most shrinkage happens in the earlier part of a line's service (or so I was told by one of the manufacturers). So do you leave extra to allow for shrinkage? By the way, there are two common ways to construct a break setting loop. Only one of them is really a "cat eye". With a cat eye, the LST and BRK-TOG are one line, and a very short line has both end fingertrapped into the steering line to form the cat eye. The advantage is that if one side of the cat eye fails, you don't lose the whole steering line. The other way to construct it is with two separate lines both fingertrapped such that the loops chain the lines together. The loop on the line you want to lock (the upper of the two in the case of steering lines) is made large enough to accommodate the tab on the steering toggle. The upper trap has the loop so the pressure of the tab is on simple line, rather than the point where the fingertrap enters the line. This type of brake setting seems more prevalent, although I’m not sure why. A third way to make this connection would be to finger trap two lines straight into each other. This isn’t used since it puts the pressure of the toggle tab on the point where the upper line enters the lower line. The A-B and C-D cascades are usually made by running one line straight into the other, but there is nothing putting pressure on the fingertrap. On the subject of wear: The worst wear seems to happen at a discontinuity in the line: - Where the line tapers over the end of a finger trap - Cascades - Knots (always check your steering lines for knots and untie them before packing and jumping the rig! Knots weaken the lines and are a source of abrasion as the get whacked by the slider and keeper ring). One problem with wear on certain line types, especially Vectran, is that as the line starts to fray, the loose fibers get pushed into the gaps in the weave thus hiding them. It hadn’t occurred to me until this thread, but wax would obviously tend to hold fibers down as well. Some people call this "glazing" or "blazing". The point is that it is harder to tell with Vectran. This is what got me in trouble. Not knowing any better, I assumed that the wear characteristics of Vectran couldn’t be worse than Spectra, and that wear would be as obvious. The manufacturers would never introduce a product that was worse than the previous, would they? Seems they believe dimensional integrity is more important than structural integrity. Well, OK, to be fair, it was still a fairly new product and they may not have had all this figured out yet. The result is that my left steering line failed at the tip of the upper finger trap of the brake setting loop. You would expect a line to fail during deployment or unusual circumstances like a collision. We can deal with that if we’re high enough. When you’re coming out of a high-speed dive, just slightly in the corner, on a cross-braced tri-cell loaded 2:1, and your line decides to say goodbye about 2 seconds before impact, by the time you figure out what to do about it, your legs are already broken and you’re about to hit for the second…third…fourth…fifth time. The manufacturers now recommend replacing the steering lines every 300-600 jumps. I think that’s a little optimistic as mine had less than 300 jumps. For perspective, I’m not a rigger. I had to learn this the hard way. I was hoping nobody else would have to. This is the third accident I know of. The second was fatal. (See http://www.skydivingfatalities.com/ Look up non-US, 2001 #23) That’s what comes to mind for now. I may have more to say later. Peter D-19246 and some other stuff PS: Now you know why I’m Titaniumlegs… (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Yeah? Well, you Americans all look the same to me anyway! Winsor is one of the more reasonable and enlightened candidates, IMHO. I believe he's doing it for the right reasons. (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

This is what I would get. Definitely. (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Dagnabbit! That should be (You may vote for eight (8) National Directors, as write-ins or off the list OR a combination) (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

CORRECTION I need to correct something before I mess up the voting. Max Cohn is running for a National Director position, not Pacific Region. If you are voting for him, write him in for a National Director. (You may vote for eight (8) National Directors, as write-ins or off the list of a combination). I guess I made the mistake after seeing his announcement on the NorCal email list. I wish I'd caught it before the answers went out. For Pacific Region, if you are voting for Chris de Bar, write his name in the space to the right of the listed Regional Director candidates. Jess Rodriguez is listed on the ballot. Read the instructions included with the ballot for more information. Once again, my apologies for any confusion. Peter (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

>What have you done when you reached 100, 200, 300 ect.???? Avoid pies! (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Last week, I asked several questions of each of the three Pacific Region Director Candidates that I know of. Their answers are below, in their entirety and unedited, in a random order, after the original questions. It has been suggested that these questions are biased. Well, yes they are. They are questions I wanted answered. They were not, however, fed or suggested to me by anyone else, candidate or otherwise. I asked the questions because I was undecided for whom to vote. I still am, and need to read the answers a couple more times before I vote. Of course, every member of the USPA has the right to ask questions of the BoD and candidates. Feel free to ask your own. Lastly, I want to thank each of the candidates for taking the time to answer so completely and quickly. May the best man win. Peter Learmonth USPA 120552 ================================================================================ The Questions: Dear Candidate 1. a. What experience do you have as an officer or director of a large organization? b. Do you have the resources (time, money) to travel for and attend USPA business such as BoD and membership meetings? c. What have you contributed to USPA other than as a BoD member? (Course development, research team, USPA committees, judging, etc.) 2. a. Have you visited all of the dropzones, including non-USPA group member drop zones in your region in the past year? If not, how many? b. Do the DZOs of the dropzones in your region know you are running? c. Do you have their endorsement? Have you asked for it? 3. Will you respond to communications from your constituents via any medium commonly used by USPA members including phone, fax, email and common skydiving newsgroups and web sites? 4. Of the following disciplines, in which have you participated 1) ever and 2) in the last 12 months? _____ RW _____ CRW _____ Freeflying _____ Style _____ Accuracy _____ Skysurfing _____ Video flying _____ Instructor jumps (Any type, including tandem, AFF, IAD, SL). _____ Birdman/Wingsuit _____ Demo _____ BASE 5. Have you ever competed at USPA Nationals (any category) or other recognized or well-known national or international competition? 6. a. Are you a licensed pilot? b. Have you flown jumpers? 7. In what other aviation or skydiving-oriented organizations are you a member? (AOPA, FAI, BASE, foreign aero clubs, etc.) Non-incumbent candidates: 8. Have you discussed the duties of a regional director with a current or previous member of the BoD? 9. Have you ever attended a BoD meeting as a regular member? 10. For those who are running on a platform of "It's time for a change" or "Let's bring USPA back to being an organization for the jumpers.", have you discussed your concerns with the current regional director? All candidates: Is there anything you would like to add or comment on any issue(s) you feel are particularly important in the coming BoD term? ================================================================================ Max Cohn 1. a. What experience do you have as an officer or director of a large organization? -------Since I was young, I’ve always participated in management/instruction roles in different arenas. I’ve been active in the National Volunteer Fireman’s Committee (NVFC) as a recruitment and retention committee member. This experience allowed me to communicate with local emergency volunteer services and Government agencies, both State and National, and strived to increase volunteer participation in emergency services. I spent 10 years instructing martial arts and helping to organize events for my martial arts school. In University, I was the president of the Martial Arts Club. Also in University, I was active as the New Member President and Educator in my Fraternity. I’m the owner of two skydiving-related business and I’ve worked with a plethora of USPA members, manufacturers, drop zone owners and more. I look at the BOD as an opportunity to utilize my skills of communicating with the members we represent and addressing those needs in a timely fashion. b. Do you have the resources (time, money) to travel for and attend USPA business such as BoD and membership meetings? ---------I consider the BOD meetings (and related meetings) as a bare minimum requirement for participation on the board. I certainly plan to attend all regular meetings. c. What have you contributed to USPA other than as a BoD member? (Course development, research team, USPA committees, judging, etc.) ---------I feel I’ve contributed to the USPA in several ways. First, I’ve been actively teaching Freeflying for 5 years and I’ve unofficially helped many skydivers and DZO’s create safety parameters. I’ve written many articles on Freefly safety and education. I’ve had many conversations with regional and national directors on several issues related to Freeflying in safety, education and competition. As a prospective member of the BOD, I see it as an opportunity to more effectively apply these important issues and voice the opinions the members to the BOD. 2. a. Have you visited all of the dropzones, including non-USPA group member drop zones in your region in the past year? If not, how many? b. Do the DZOs of the dropzones in your region know you are running? c. Do you have their endorsement? Have you asked for it? ----------I have visited many drop zones (over 50) in the past 5 years, both in my region and outside my region. In the past 12 months, I have visited about 15 drop zones. Most of the drop zones around me know that I am running, as well as many drop zones around the Country and World. I have received support from many drop zones, fun jumpers and manufacturers. 3. Will you respond to communications from your constituents via any medium commonly used by USPA members including phone, fax, email and common skydiving newsgroups and web sites? -----------Absolutely! Many USPA members already contact me regularly via email and phone, and many have specifically contacted me concerning my campaign for National Director as a Write In. I am very accessible via email ([email protected]) and phone (201.538.4652), fax (if that’s more convenient for anyone, 201.934.1630) and I’m usually participating in some discussion on rec.skydiving or dropzone.com forums, and I’m open to participating in others. 4. Of the following disciplines, in which have you participated 1) ever and 2) in the last 12 months? _____ RW _____ CRW _____ Freeflying _____ Style _____ Accuracy _____ Skysurfing _____ Video flying _____ Instructor jumps (Any type, including tandem, AFF, IAD, SL). _____ Birdman/Wingsuit _____ Demo _____ BASE --------I’ve participated extensively in Freeflying (which is flying all of body’s surface areas). I’ve done some in Freestyle. I’ve filmed everything from Tandems to AFF to Freefly to Sky surf to RW to CRW. I’ve dabbled in BASE jumping (2 BASE Jumps), have done a few small demo jumps and, while not a swooping competitor, I enjoy pond-swooping and safely pushing the limits of my canopy flight. While there is never enough time to do everything, I have good influence all around me in all disciplines. 5. Have you ever competed at USPA Nationals (any category) or other recognized or well-known national or international competition? ---------I competed in the 2000 US National in Freefly (4th place) and I have competed in several Space Games Freefly Competitions from 1999-2001 in individual games, 3-way competitions, skysurf and freestyle. I was also a judge in the Space Games. 6. a. Are you a licensed pilot? b. Have you flown jumpers? ---------No, I am not a licensed pilot. 7. In what other aviation or skydiving-oriented organizations are you a member? (AOPA, FAI, BASE, foreign aero clubs, etc.) ---------I am an FAA Senior Rigger since 1997. Non-incumbent candidates: 8. Have you discussed the duties of a regional director with a current or previous member of the BoD? 9. Have you ever attended a BoD meeting as a regular member? 10. For those who are running on a platform of "It's time for a change" or "Let's bring USPA back to being an organization for the jumpers.", have you discussed your concerns with the current regional director? -----------I have had several discussions with current Eastern Director Mike Perry, former Eastern Director Kay Hoiby-Griep and Former National Director Bill Richards on my current campaign. In the past, I’ve had several opportunities to discuss USPA-related issues with National Director Roger Nelson. I have not been able to attend a BOD meeting as a regular member, but I have been involved in the 2001 PIA Symposium, which addressed several related issue including repack cycles, student progression and industry standards that effect our members. I was a speaker at the 2001 symposium and I am scheduled to speak again at the 2003 symposium in Jacksonville, FL. All candidates: Is there anything you would like to add or comment on any issue(s) you feel are particularly important in the coming BoD term? ---------I feel that my platform is based on two main objectives. The more specific of the two is that as a newer member our sport (USPA member since 1996), I can help address issues regarding Freeflying and Canopy Swooping, two up and coming disciplines that will need further structure from USPA. Safety, education and competition will all need addressing in both disciplines. Secondly, I feel that I am a very active jumper that is submersed in the ‘world of the fun-jumpers’. Some USPA members feel that USPA directors are more out of reach then they would like them to be. I am on dz, in the plane, in the air, around the USPA members. When skydivers ask me, ‘what will you do for us as USPA National Director?’, I ask them, ‘what do you want?’. While some throw out humorous answers such as ‘free jumps!’, most bring up valid points regarding group membership, repack cycles, safety and training, competition, recruitment, etc… By being accessible to the members the USPA represents, I feel I can accurately relay messages to the BOD. I offer all of my energy, my fresh blood and my open mind to the USPA members. I am NOT a veteran member of the BOD, but I feel I have a wealth of knowledge regarding the wants and needs of the USPA members. And, I’m here, in person, on the phone or on email to address, with honesty, the concerns of the USPA and the skydivers who make it up. ================================================================================ Chris de Bar Peter, I'll answer your questions in a more general format, rather than reply to them point by point, but I expect that my position will be fairly clear by the end. I've never been the officer or director of a large corporation, and of course, you probably knew that before you asked me that. I'm an elevator technician, as most people know. However, USPA is a sporting body, not as I have said, a trade association. If you consider that only prior business experience of managing a large corporation to be a prerequisite for standing for an elective office, then the available pool of candidates for any office, USPA or not, is reduced to the detriment of all. The function of the Pacific Director, or any regional director for that matter, is to represent the jumpers in that conference fairly and with balance, and to this end, what is required is a love for the sport and a genuine willingness to get involved. I have both. I can certainly travel to any and all required USPA meeting to fulfill the obligations of the job. It also gives me a greater opportunity to steal mini bottles of whisky and tequila on commercial aircraft. As for what I've contributed to the sport. How about 8 years of my life ? I've been and continue to be a student, a videographer, an AFF instructor, a world record large formation participant, and a two time USPA nationals medal winner and current competitor. I'm at a DZ almost every weekend, teaching, coaching, instructing, and partying. I'm a committed jumper, just like you. I want a say in how the sport progresses. I want to ensure that there is a sport for me to participate in, and for others who follow us to be involved in. The decision to run is not one I take lightly. It would be far easier just to let someone else do it, but I feel that it's time that the ordinary weekend fun jumper had a voice in the running of USPA. Take a look at the makeup of the board and the regions. There's not many of us there representing the biggest portion of the jumping populace. As for the drop zones that I have visited. This year, I've jumped at Byron, Skydance, Marina, Lodi and Perris. I was also on staff at the Hercules Boogie in Sweden, and was jumping in Z Hills at Easter. I haven't asked for the endorsement of any drop zone owners, because quite frankly, I don't require their permission or goodwill to run for an office to represent their customers. DZ owners are more than represented in the makeup of USPA. I do most of my jumps at Byron as you know, but I haven't asked for Mike Tjaarda's approval. I expect to represent all jumpers in the region. I'll respond to any communication from any jumper in whatever form they can get it to me, fax, call, email, carrier pigeon, signal flags etc. This year I have done RW, Freeflying, Freestyle, video, AFF, CRW, Demos and was a participant on the new world record 27way Wingsuit jump in Sweden. I am a participant in the next attempt on the world large formation sequential attempt in Florida in April 2003. I don't do BASE. I have nothing against it, but it's a different sport with different rules and approaches and I don't think it wise to confuse it with recreational skydiving. I'm not a pilot, and I don't belong to any other aviation organizations with the exception of the FAI. I am a two time USPA National medal winner. As for the platform I'm running on, let's be clear on one thing. I don't promise to change the world. What I do promise is to bring a voice to the proceedings that is untainted by special interest or hidden agenda. I'll say it again, I don't make my living from skydiving. Look at the officers of USPA at all levels. It's become a trade association. These people already have a trade association, it's called the PIA. There's nothing wrong with them occupying elective posts at USPA, but we really need some recreational jumpers there as well to hold fast to why most people get out of bed on a weekend and go to a drop zone. It's to enjoy the thrill of being an active skydiver, not to make the DZO wealthy. We have no objection to that being a by-product of our patronage, but right now the fox is guarding the henhouse. We need and must have more rank and file jumpers taking an interest and getting involved. The healthiest USPA will come from a balance struck between the aspirations of the jumpers who make up the sport, and the financial concerns of the DZO and businesses to who we represent their livelihood. To state one more thing clearly, I have a great respect for DZO's. It's not an easy job, and nobody thanks them when it's going right, but we need to be represented also. I believe that we can do that to the benefit of all. If anyone has any other questions, I'd be glad to answer then, and feel free to reproduce all or part of this reply. All I ask is that you do so accurately and with the proper context. Thanks. Chris de Bar ================================================================================ Jess Rodriguez Peter, Thank you for the forum and an opportunity to answer questions concerning the election for the Pacific Regional Director. First let me address your statement "for the first time in a long time the is some competition for Pacific Regional Director." In both previous elections I have been in, there were other candidates for the position and the membership had a choice. 1. a. What experience do you have as an officer or director of a large organization? I have been a businessman for over 25 years for my own company other than skydiving. I manage 45 employees and annual gross receipts of over 5 million dollars. I also own and operate Skydive Monterey Bay, and finally I have been on the USPA Board of Directors for two terms. b. Do you have the resources (time, money) to travel for and attend USPA business such as BOD and membership meetings? Good question. Last year alone I spent $230.00 in phone bills and $40.00 in faxes associated with USPA, $20.00 in postage, $625.00 in fuel going to different dropzones, $300 in airline tickets, $150.00 in car rentals and $80.00 in airport parking fees. As for having the time, I make my own hours and I have never been late or missed a BOD meeting. c. What have you contributed to USPA other than as a BOD member? (Course development, research team, USPA committees, judging, etc.) As a USPA Tandem Examiner and AFF Evaluator I have sponsored and promoted courses for those jumpers wishing to become Tandem and AFF Instructors. I have scheduled and sponsored BIC courses. I have always given back to our sport, I have trained countless up and coming AFF candidates for their certification course without charging any fee for such training. I served on the Group Membership Committee in my first term and in my second term I was selected the Chairman of the same committee. a. Have you visited all of the dropzones, including non-USPA group member drop zones in your region in the past year? If not, how many? I have visited all but one drop zone, I have visited non-USPA group member drop zones. I believe that the location where a member jumps is not important, the Pacific Regional Director represents the membership. b. Do the DZOs of the dropzones in your region know you are running? I would think so, it was announced in the Parachutist magazine. I am the only Pacific Region candidate listed in the magazine. I took the time, paid the required fee and completed the proper paperwork to be placed in the Parachutist magazine as a candidate. c. Do you have their endorsement? Have you asked for it? Several DZO's have agreed to support my reelection. As for asking for their endorsement, I would like to think that I wouldn't have to ask. I have over my term interacted with all DZOs either in person or over the phone. I believe I have been 100% responsive to their requests. 3. Will you respond to communications from your constituents via any medium commonly used by USPA members including phone, fax, email and common skydiving newsgroups and web sites? I have always in the past and will continue to respond to questions asked of me no matter what form they may come in. In the Parachutist magazine I list two phone numbers, two fax numbers, my e-mail and snail mail address for those members wishing to contact me anytime. 4. Of the following disciplines, in which have you participated 1) ever and 2) in the last 12 months? _yes__ RW, within 12 months _yes__ CRW, not within 12 months _yes__ Freeflying, within 12 months (not very well I might add) _no___ Style, never _yes__ Accuracy, within 12 months _no___ Skysurfing never _yes__ Video flying, within 12 months _yes__ Instructor jumps (Any type, inc. tandem, AFF, IAD, SL) within 12 months _no___ Birdman/Wingsuit, never _yes__ Demo, within 12 months _no___ BASE , never 5. Have you ever competed at USPA Nationals (any category) or other recognized or well-known national or international competition? Yes, on a 20 way team for the 1992 Nationals called the "Cactus Pricks" 6. a. Are you a licensed pilot? Yes b. Have you flown jumpers? Not from the left seat 7. In what other aviation or skydiving-oriented organizations are you a member? (AOPA, FAI, BASE, foreign aero clubs, etc.) 1. AOPA (Aircraft Owner Pilots Association) 2. CPA (Cessna Pilot Association) 3. FAI 4. FB (Freak Brothers) All candidates: Is there anything you would like to add or comment on any issue(s) you feel are particularly important in the coming BOD term? In closing I would like to say, I have made every effort to represent the Pacific Region membership as best possible. I have over the last two terms investigated fatalities, grounded jumpers, suspended ratings, investigated FAA violations, presented awards, attended Senate hearings, signed ratings, inspected dropzones, met with FAA officials to allow drop zones to continue operating, reissued previously suspend ratings, responded to request from competitors for assistance in the Competition Committee and I made adjustments in the GM Committee to promote the membership's needs. There is still a lot of work to be done at each of the four up coming BOD meetings. I have the experience and knowledge to move forward on important issues that are still pending before the BOD. Throughout this experience I have learned a very important lesson, you can't make everyone happy all the time. The bottom line is when you hire or elect someone to represent you, you should not select a person just because they are a nice friendly guy or girl. You want the best, strongest, smartest and most knowledgeable person available to support your position and win, I am that person. Again, thank you for the forum. Sincerely, Jess Rodriguez Pacific Regional Director

I'm the model for the new tetrahedron! (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

PS: Video credits to Josh McR (I believe it was for that angle). There were 4 cameras that caught it (or part of it), but as Lisa said, one didn't survive, at least, that's his story! (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

More pix... (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

I did! (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.

Aahhh, I've found the problem: The controls aren't labelled! Serious ISO9000 issue! (>o|-< If you don't believe me, ask me.