freeflir29 0 #1 November 5, 2001 0:5:0!The unofficial Atlanta Free Flight Boogie report. As seen by me! After sitting in traffic for two hours Friday evening I finally arrived at the DZ at about 20 till 7. Cracked a beer and started milling around bullshittin with everybody. The sunset load had landed shortly before I got there so I heard the story of Mike Hunts accidental cut away. Seems his cut away handle got pulled around 8K feet. He attemtped to dump because he wasn't sure if the cables were still in or not. The main left and he rode in a reserve. No injuries. No harm but it did take until the next day to find his main. Met Mike (Aviatrr) and showed him the famed "tube jump" video of my 100th. He got some good laughs outta that. Unfortunately, the rest of the DZ.com people apparently had more important things to do than come out and swill beer with me on a beautiful Friday night. So, about 11 PM I drug out my sleeping bag and tried to get some sleep in the packing area. Saturday- Got up to make the first Otter load. We went up with only 13 people on board. I was just doing a solo FF to get warmed up. Door opens, and the 3 way in front of me exits. I'm watching them leave and started to take my eyes off them to check the spot when I see something stupid going on. I look back and see Jerry's reserve deploying and one of his friends feet all in the lines. Luckily, they seperated just fine and Jerry got a nice reserve ride from 13,000 ft. Of course, he had plenty of time to swoop his free bag but lost his rip cord handle. It was great video. They were Free Flying the exit and the guy raked his right hand across Jerry's stomach and caught the rip cord handle on his pinky. It could have been much worse but as luck would have it everyone is fine! Once I saw everyone was OK I went ahead and got out for a nice warm up of sit flying and head down. A little later we organized an 8 way DZ.com jump. Yes, I know, you guys can't believe it. I did a belly fly jump! First one in about 3 months. Launched out of the CASA and most of us turned 4 points. Aviatr and Skymama were having some going low problems but it was a fun jump. I actually flew very well and because I decided to stick with my Free fly garb I had no problems with my smokin fall rate. I even got up on the formation a couple times. I have a habit of cupping air whenever someone lets go of me because I usually drop low. Not a problem this time. Next one was a high speed Casa pass. 230 KIAS of fury! Myself, Aviatr, Skymama, Watcher, and Shane tried to get out together. My exit was great until the wind blast hit me and I thought Aviatr was going to run into me so I put my head down. WRONG ANSWER! I flipped wildly. Not sure how many times but I came out of it in a nice sit fly. Started looking around for everyone else only to discover that they were 500-1000 ft above me. I just rode the sit fly until 4500 and then tracked on my back to keep an eye on the group above. I dumped at 3 and no chance in hell of making it back to the airport. I landed in a nice little field just across the street from the end of the runway. The Birdman guys thought it was a nice field too. My neck was a little sore after that crazy exit so I chilled out for the rest of the day and took a little nap to be ready for the festivities. Chowed on some excellent ribs and chicken (Thanks Chris!) for dinner. Then stepped to the rolling bar in the back of my Jeep for a Bacardi and Coke. I won't go into too much detail but the party kicked ass! There are some incriminating pics of me coaxing some girl into flashing for the camera! Sunday dawned beautiful and sunny. Got together with Aviatr and Watcher for a 3 way free fly. Funniest exit you have ever seen. Somehow we ended up exiting with our feet in the direction of flight. For those that know thats definately backwards from the way it's supposed to go! We ended up in a stand for a second or so before finally getting head down. As usual I was draging the flower down so I just let go and shot backwards about 30 ft...LOL. Transition to a sit and tried to slow down to let Watcher and Aviatr catch up. Damn slow fallers! Chased watcher until he left at 6 and then turned around to find Aviatr right behind me. We played for a few more seconds till we hit 4500 and then started trackin. I just happened to turn towards the DZ only to find canopies opening underneath me. Hmmmmm....I think I'll track this way instead! Burned it to 3000 ft. I was planning on opening a little higher but that whole dodge the canopies game takes some altitude. Made it about halfway back (still about 1/2 a mile from the airport when I hit 1000 ft and picked out a nicely cut field to land in. Steve showed up about 10 minutes later, before I could even pack, and gave me a lift back. I was a little tired and a little hung over so I relaxed most of the day Sunday. Finally decided I should burn that last jump ticket on the sunset load. Since just about everyone had left at this point I decided to do a nice sunset solo to work on head down docking positions. (I tend to turn a little when I stick one hand out) It's just me, a two way, and 3 or 4 tandems on the Otter. I see Ron and Stephanie parcticing this strange looking exit. Looked like the naked one that was posted here earlier but they had clothes on. The more I looked I realized that they were going to attempt a Mr. Bill! Now thats all the good news. For a boogie we didn't do too bad. One serious injury. Some guy named Russ made some poor decisions on landing out which resulted in two fractured femurs, fractured pelvis, possible spinal chord trauma, and possible liver and other internal injuries. Luckily we had two skydivers on the scene one an EMT and the other an ER Doc. Hope he turns out OK. Get better soon and you folks down at Moss Point help this guy out when he needs it. How was everyone elses weekend that didn't show up to the Kickass Boogie in Georgia?"There once was a man named Enis....."-Krusty the ClownClay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #2 November 5, 2001 I almost forgot.....Skymama was very lazy on Sunday and didn't even make one single jump! "There once was a man named Enis....."-Krusty the ClownClay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramon 0 #3 November 5, 2001 The guy named Russ who landed out and broke legs.Was he a Moss Point jumper? Was he jumping a small Crossfire?Possibly did he wear a red, black and white Michigan suit with black and red diamonds on it?thanksramon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #4 November 5, 2001 Sorry to tell ya Ramon....Yes that's the guy. Last I heard he had been helicoptered to the Macon, Ga trauma center for observation. He was talking to the doc's on the scene and was concious and aware but he will be a long time healing. "There once was a man named Enis....."-Krusty the ClownClay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramon 0 #5 November 5, 2001 That MF is a good friend of mine. I hope some of the Louisiana people have more details.BSBDramon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #6 November 5, 2001 Quote Met Mike (Aviatrr) and showed him the famed "tube jump" video of my 100th. He got some good laughs outta that. Hell yea...that was a damn funny video.. You held on to the tube, though - which is more than most people would've done.. Quote A little later we organized an 8 way DZ.com jump. Yes, I know, you guys can't believe it. I did a belly fly jump! First one in about 3 months. Launched out of the CASA and most of us turned 4 points. Aviatr and Skymama were having some going low problems but it was a fun jump. Yea, yea, yea....I went low out the door....but I got back in it for 2 of the 4 points.. You guys were floating until you went for the third point, then the fall rate picked up quite nicely and I got right back in.. It was an interesting dive, to say the least..Quote Next one was a high speed Casa pass. 230 KIAS of fury! Myself, Aviatr, Skymama, Watcher, and Shane tried to get out together. My exit was great until the wind blast hit me and I thought Aviatr was going to run into me so I put my head down. WRONG ANSWER! I flipped wildly. That was definitely cool.. My back track didn't work very well right out the door at that speed.....I only held it for a second or two before I got flipped a couple times.. The video shows I did two complete flips, the first one I was still on level with the airplane.....maybe the track worked a little bit.. Try that slow sit thing I showed ya......it really works.. Quote Chowed on some excellent ribs and chicken (Thanks Chris!) for dinner. Then stepped to the rolling bar in the back of my Jeep for a Bacardi and Coke. I won't go into too much detail but the party kicked ass. Yes it did... Good food, decent beer(thanks to whoever it was that shared their Bass with me), and lots of chicks......woohoo! I still have no idea how much I drank that night.....but everybody was asking me the next day how I felt.. Quote There are some incriminating pics of me coaxing some girl into flashing for the camera! YES! What a good girl! She was about the 40th one I asked and finally....He shoots he scores!!!!!!!!! Too bad you don't remember who it was, eh? The great thing about that picture is that she is showing those beautiful tits......the horrible thing about that picture is that Clay is showing his, too... I remember exactly what she looks like.....well, from the neck down, anyways.. Quote Got together with Aviatr and Watcher for a 3 way free fly. Funniest exit you have ever seen. Somehow we ended up exiting with our feet in the direction of flight. For those that know thats definately backwards from the way it's supposed to go! We ended up in a stand for a second or so before finally getting head down. As usual I was draging the flower down so I just let go and shot backwards about 30 ft...LOL. Transition to a sit and tried to slow down to let Watcher and Aviatr catch up. Damn slow fallers! Chased watcher until he left at 6 and then turned around to find Aviatr right behind me. You weren't dragging it down....I just figured you were ready to break it and do some real freeflying.. Yea, you did shoot back initially - but so did I.. After we broke the flower, you definitely started falling fast, and I had to go back to my head to catch ya - and that's when you and Jonathon were heading toward each other, I was gonna end up in between....not a good scene.. So I turned and went behind ya.. The look on your face when you turned around and saw me there was priceles.. Quote How was everyone elses weekend that didn't show up to the Kickass Boogie in Georgia? Well, it couldn't have been very good if they weren't there.. My count for the weekend ended up being 0:12:0.......damn that first number.. I'll fix that tonight, but it's not the weekend anymore......oh well.. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #7 November 5, 2001 Either that or you can e-mail Trey Holliday at Skydive Atlanta. They will be checking up on his progress. "There once was a man named Enis....."-Krusty the ClownClay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #8 November 5, 2001 Quote Now thats all the good news. For a boogie we didn't do too bad. One serious injury. Some guy named Russ made some poor decisions on landing out which resulted in two fractured femurs, fractured pelvis, possible spinal chord trauma, and possible liver and other internal injuries. I hope he's gonna be ok, and recover fully.. Is he the one that was jumping the Crossfire 129 with white top/bottom skin and blackberry ribs? We left around 1630, so it must've happened just after we left.. It was definitely a freaky weekend for mals and reserve rides, too.. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #9 November 5, 2001 I had a fabulous time at the boogie. Let me just say first that Skydive Atlanta is a great dz to visit. All the people who work there were very nice and accomodating to the visitors they had at the dz, and they threw a great party. And, flying over all those trees that were changing colors was beautiful for this FL gal that doesn't get to see much of that.My jumps were great on Saturday. My favorite was the high speed one that Clay mentioned. I felt like I was shot out of a cannon! But, I have a huge bruise on my elbow from hitting the door on my way out of that jump, some on my arm and thigh from my rig slapping me on a hard opening, and some on my shins from my little runway landing I had when I ended up playing chicken with a plane.I'm not as accustomed to partying as some people are, so, no I didn't jump on Sunday out of sheer exhaustion and a sick stomach from breakfast at the Huddle House. I probably could have done some easy jumps, but I decided that I was not in the right frame of mind to be able to handle a mal if I had one.So, all in all, I had a great time, and hope to come back next year.AndreaThe brave may not live forever, but the timid may not live at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #10 November 5, 2001 I'm not sure what size the canopy was but it was red and white with the red, white, and black jumpsuit. I'm not sure what time it was when it happened other than late afternoon. He pounded out by the road so not that many people saw it. He got the whole thing on video...well to the first impact anyway and then the camera shut off. It looked like he saw the power lines too late and freaked a little. Actually turned into another set but ended up going under them. It looked like he tried to dig out of the turn with the rear risers but they slipped and then he never flared with the toggles. He had also turned downwind at this point. It was just a really bad deal all the way around. I just hope he can heal from all this. Doc Bill and the Medic from Florida that worked on him were really concerned about complications from the bone breaks and the spinal chord/liver stuff. Any one of those can kill you. I'll say a little prayer for him. It sure does suck to see stuff like that! "There once was a man named Enis....."-Krusty the ClownClay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aufreefly 0 #11 November 5, 2001 an update from Dr. Bill...there are no internal injuries and Russ will make a full recovery soon.:) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #12 November 5, 2001 Mike....Put a damn signature on there so I know who you are! That's great news! Glad to hear it!"There once was a man named Enis....."-Krusty the ClownClay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramon 0 #13 November 5, 2001 Thanks for the update.I sent you a private message with a last name if you could verify that it is my friend.thanksramon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #14 November 5, 2001 Quote an update from Dr. Bill...there are no internal injuries and Russ will make a full recovery soon.:) Glad to hear it.. It's great to have medical people around the DZ, just in case something like this happens.. The EMT from Florida, Steve, took care of one of our local jumpers in DeLand last Wed, too..Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CraigSaucier 0 #15 November 6, 2001 This is Craig Saucier. I am his friend that went with him this weekend. Thank you all for all the encouragement and the wonderful help. I just wanted to tell everyone the update. I have been in the hospital with him since the accident. He has two broken femurs and a fractured pelvis. And a really bad head ache. He is in the Columbus, Georgia hospital. He was transferred there tonight (11-5-01). He should have the surgery done tomorrow on his pelvis and some rods put in his legs. We are hoping for a speedy recovery. Please keep him in your prayers. Thank you all for everything. I will keep you posted on any further information. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #16 November 6, 2001 QuoteThe great thing about that picture is that she is showing those beautiful tits......Oi, Mike, enough teasing already - could you please scan and post that pic already??? (also, cropping Clay out of it would be nice too!)Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #17 November 6, 2001 Well you all...I am sorry I didn't make it up there..and sounds like you could've used my help too...I hope our fellow jumper makes a speedy speedy recovery.and damn I also missed out on all them frosty beverages!!!!MarcBecause I fly, I envy no man on earth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramon 0 #18 November 6, 2001 Craig e-mail meramon@mindspring.com and tell me what the hell happened.Were Kevin and Gabe there?ramon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
