AggieDave 6 #1 May 21, 2011 Eleven years ago I was driven to the airport in Granbury, Texas to Eagle Flight Skydiving and sat through their SL FJC. The group I was with had partied really hard the night before, to celebrate our first jump, the next day. We had to continually excuse ourselves during the FJC because we were so hungover that we were getting sick. Spending an hour doing PLFs followed by a long time in a hanging harness is tough on a scared hung-over college kid. That's ok, though, just before sunset I put my feet out and stop, climbed all the way out to hang, let go and had a Laser9 288 open above me. Upon landing the DZO and JMs made sure we immediately sent someone to the store to pay our beer dues, then we were welcomed into our new family at the DZ. Out of that group (there were 6 of us) that did our first jump together, only two of us got licensed. I'm the only one who has continued to jump.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #2 May 21, 2011 Congrats Dave You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #3 May 21, 2011 I just saw Doc at Stephenville last weekend. Didn't jump (we were spending a weekend in Ft. Worth), but spent awhile visiting. Congrats on your sky birthday. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #4 May 21, 2011 Hi AD Congrats on your annniversery and your jump till you puke attitudeYou the manThe skydiving industry will be very pleased to hear that the retention rate of you group exceeds the industry standard.I'm guessing it's due to a number of factor's AD, the DZ and the Texas Aggies. One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #5 May 21, 2011 Quote Out of that group (there were 6 of us) that did our first jump together, only two of us got licensed. I'm the only one who has continued to jump. And you've made it past the "tourist" 3-5 years and quit phase of the sport. You still owe beer newbie. "It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #6 May 21, 2011 Quote I'm guessing it's due to a number of factor's AD, the DZ and the Texas Aggies. Eagle Flight Skydiving was an interesting slice of skydiving. It was eventually run off from Granbury due to the city building hangers on every available landing area. It was bought and sold a few times and eventually ended up in Hillsboro, TX as Skydive I-35 (which is a nice DZ). The DZ I did my first jump at, though, was what I found out later to be a hold over example of skydiving in the early 90s. It was a place where you were expected to not only pay beer dues, but to be there after sunset load to enjoy the paid dues. It was a DZ where Memorial Day weekend had jumpers digging out rat-gear to do intentional water landings in Lake Granbury. People were expected to learn how to spot and to pack for themselves. They had a 182 and for a really kick-ass boogie, they'd bring in a few other 182s for formation loads. It was also where you were expected as an up-jumper to go through the BIC and to help young jumpers learn all they could (and to even *gasp* jump with them)! I would argue that it had a really solid club mentality. When the Aggie Skydiving Club was driving an hour to Waller to jump out of an Otter, I was driving nearly 4 hours to jump out of a 182 in Granbury. It was my first skydiving family. In the end I think they taught me more about being a skydiver than skydiving, but that is also why I think I love the sport so much and continue to jump. Skydiving is more then turning points, tossing drogues and having a camera. Skydiving is people. My original JM's (like Doc Stewart) taught me that.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #7 May 21, 2011 Tourist! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #8 May 21, 2011 Quote Quote I'm guessing it's due to a number of factor's AD, the DZ and the Texas Aggies. Eagle Flight Skydiving was an interesting slice of skydiving. It was eventually run off from Granbury due to the city building hangers on every available landing area. It was bought and sold a few times and eventually ended up in Hillsboro, TX as Skydive I-35 (which is a nice DZ). The DZ I did my first jump at, though, was what I found out later to be a hold over example of skydiving in the early 90s. It was a place where you were expected to not only pay beer dues, but to be there after sunset load to enjoy the paid dues. It was a DZ where Memorial Day weekend had jumpers digging out rat-gear to do intentional water landings in Lake Granbury. People were expected to learn how to spot and to pack for themselves. They had a 182 and for a really kick-ass boogie, they'd bring in a few other 182s for formation loads. It was also where you were expected as an up-jumper to go through the BIC and to help young jumpers learn all they could (and to even *gasp* jump with them)! I would argue that it had a really solid club mentality. When the Aggie Skydiving Club was driving an hour to Waller to jump out of an Otter, I was driving nearly 4 hours to jump out of a 182 in Granbury. It was my first skydiving family. In the end I think they taught me more about being a skydiver than skydiving, but that is also why I think I love the sport so much and continue to jump. Skydiving is more then turning points, tossing drogues and having a camera. Skydiving is people. My original JM's (like Doc Stewart) taught me that. Hi AD I kind of knew the answer before I asked itThe DZ you describe is actually a hold over from at least the late 60's thru the mid seventies. You were mature enough to see the advantages of a "shit hole Cessna DZ" vs a turbine DZ. I'm guessing that some of those DZ's like you describe are still around but you have live in the right part of the country to find them and be mature enough to dig thru the BS of the sky snobs, AFF etc. Someone from Down Under actually made the comment about a Cesssna DZ vs twin otters/turbine. Mr Peak the USPA midwest conference director made a diplomatic response to the gentleman. I wasn't as kind as Mr Peak but was mellow Don't sell yourself short dude, oops Tall Sir. Your eleven yr's in the sport was a combination of the right person at the right place.A extra 3 hr drive is hard core. R.I.P. B-7881One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #9 May 21, 2011 Cool, next month will be 18 years for me. Got to look up the exact date, but I too trained via S/L and Laser student canopies. And the asshole who sucked me into the sport quit the next year. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #10 May 22, 2011 Similar story. One of the guys on the Fire Dept. I worked for put out a memo stating that he had made a deal with Perris Valley for a cut rate FJC, $55.00, and it covered everything. Twenty six guys signed up for the next Saturday, 5 showed up and I was the only one to go on to earn a license. The truth be told the only reason I made my second jump was because I was so scared I didn’t remember anything about the first one. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 60 #11 May 22, 2011 Happy Birthday to Us, Birthday Buddy! lisalisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 2 #12 May 22, 2011 Happy Birthday! MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #13 May 22, 2011 Cool stuff. Aren't you glad you started when you were young? It's a hell of a lot easier and you heal faster, too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyMarko 1 #14 May 22, 2011 Eleven years ago I was 10 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #15 May 22, 2011 Quote Eleven years ago I was 10 We were all 10 at sometime. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #16 May 22, 2011 Quote Eleven years ago I was 10 Big deal. I was getting laid while you were still in diapers. You ain't so cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #17 May 22, 2011 Quote Quote Eleven years ago I was 10 We were all 10 at sometime. Sparky Oh yeah? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krip 2 #18 May 22, 2011 Quote Eleven years ago I was 10 11 yrs ago I was young enough to be your gandpa.No sweat OLD is contagious your time will come"You are as I was, I am as you will be".R.I.P.One Jump Wonder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #19 May 22, 2011 Quote Quote Quote Eleven years ago I was 10 We were all 10 at sometime. Sparky Oh yeah? You were 10 during the time of Christ. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #20 May 22, 2011 Quote Quote Quote Quote Eleven years ago I was 10 We were all 10 at sometime. Sparky Oh yeah? You were 10 during the time of Christ. He was the valet that parked Christ's donkey on Palm Sunday...--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #21 May 22, 2011 Quote Quote Quote Quote Quote Eleven years ago I was 10 We were all 10 at sometime. Sparky Oh yeah? You were 10 during the time of Christ. He was the valet that parked Christ's donkey on Palm Sunday... Wasn't a very good donkey, naugahyde saddle & pulled a little to the right... ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,488 #22 May 23, 2011 Happy SkyBirthday AD. I've enjoyed your company over the last 10 years. This month is my 31st SB from Jump School and my 30th SB for my first skydive. Hang on to those log books, Little Brother. They are a lifetime of memories.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
