billvon 3,112 #1 January 31, 2004 Saturday Today we tried another 222-way for the first load of the day. Worked pretty well; a few people were out, and the dive built to something like 177. The next jump was another 222-way. I tried a new exit on this jump. After several shoulder injuries, BJ was now recommending exits in a mantis-type position. Your shoulders are stronger in this position, and more able to take hits on exit. It worked well. That position is a faster-fallrate position, and instead of sailing on exit I dropped relative to the base and this put me in a better position to make an approach without cutting off the white sector of the base. I exited, started my short dive, made sure the white base sector was clear, slid over into my radial, parked about 15 feet out, waited for Flap and then Hod to dock, then took my slot. Tony wants us about half a meter low to keep fallrate up, so I dropped my end of the line down and looked over for Bob. I tend to fly my end of the line closer to the formation than Pedro, so I checked where he was and opened the line up a little. That allowed Bob to dock more easily. He was the last base person to close, and as soon as he closed, our wackers (2 and 11) started building. It flew fine for about 30 seconds, then the tension started. It grew and grew no matter what we tried to do to stop it. Finally I let go of Hod, figuring that it was better to have an outer ring blow off than have the base pulled apart. Oddly, I got pulled back about three feet and the pressure eased off. I think some of the sector 11 people saw the base coming apart and started driving in again to fix it. I managed to snag Hod's arm right before the first breakoff key, so I think we still would have had a completion if everyone else had been in place (which they weren't.) Still, we built to around 200, and there were no problems with breakoff. Sector 11 was completed for about 25 seconds, and I think sector 2 (our sector) was complete for around 15. We could finally go to the full 372 way. We did a dirt dive, got dressed, and started walking to the planes. We hadn't gotten more than about 50 yards when people started yelling "come back!" The weather had started to deteriorate (thunderstorms in the distance) and so we waited a while to see if it would clear. It didn't, so we called it a day. Tomorrow will be the full 372 way for the first time. I know, I've said that before. It's getting really stinking hot. 98F today per my thermometer, and it had to be at least 80% humidity. During the dirt dives I keep thinking about getting in the planes with their massive air conditioning system. It's so humid that the aircraft A/C sends out thick streamers of fog into the cabin, while barely keeping it at 90 degrees on the ground. (It gets the humidity out of the air, though, and that helps a lot.) I don't think we could have done this without the A/C. At the end of the day we went back to the planes to get our oxygen hoses set up and it was 120F in the plane even with the doors open. I'm also worrying a little about weight and fallrate. On the last dive, my Neptune gave fallrates of 134 on the top end and 125 on the bottom. I'm good to about 120 without weight, and with seven pounds I'm staying with the 130mph base fallrate without much trouble. Tony recommended we add some more weight today, and that could put us above 130mph even at the lower altitudes. Can the wackers stay with a 130mph base? Even now we have problems with the wacker anchors docking and lifting up and over (and onto) the base. Maybe everyone just needs a few jumps together to see what the fallrate's really like and add weight (or drag) as required. Weather looks good for tomorrow, although Monday and Tuesday look iffy. We're starting earlier (7am) to try to avoid some of the heat and bad weather. We'll see how it goes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazyfrog 0 #2 January 31, 2004 nice nice, we believe...---------- Fumer tue, péter pue ------------- ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhi 24 #3 January 31, 2004 QuoteTony recommended we add some more weight today, and that could put us above 130mph even at the lower altitudes. Can the wackers stay with a 130mph base? Thailand? Sounds like Heaven to me. Do you not anticipate a slow down once the wackers start docking? Thanks for the updates. They are greatly appreciated. Good luck to all.Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,112 #4 January 31, 2004 >Do you not anticipate a slow down once the wackers start docking? Well, that's the problem. If a wacker docks and lifts the base, and the people in the center are wearing 20 lbs of weight, keeping it from funnelling may be a challenge. The entire dive has to be able to fall at the same speed. We've had a few dives where wackers have docked and either lifted or pulled out base people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,112 #5 January 31, 2004 A few pics: -The view from our hotel window, taken a few hours before the big storm hit. The storm dropped something like two inches of rain and caused a half dozen short power outages. -The bags of rice used for weight and balance on the C130's. -The inside of our awesome C130 stretch. -The outside of the same airplane. -And finally a view from the front, looking out the open tailgate (on the ground.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #6 January 31, 2004 Life is rough isn't it.... Good luck guys.______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanda965 0 #7 January 31, 2004 I could NOT EVEN IMAGINE having it that freakin warm. It is 5 degrees F here in Ohio Those planes are monstrous! Thanks for posting the updates and pics, it is so exciting to read about.Blue skies and SAFE landings! ~Amanda~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #8 January 31, 2004 Billvon, what's the name of the hotel where you're staying? From the view of the wat, it looks like you could be at the Siri Patana hotel. I spent a year in that heat and humidity at Korat with no ari conditioning of any type and never got used to it. Best of luck on the 372 attempt. Tell Amy and Gary Haass and Sherry Schrimscher I said hi.The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,147 #9 January 31, 2004 Quote>Do you not anticipate a slow down once the wackers start docking? Well, that's the problem. If a wacker docks and lifts the base, and the people in the center are wearing 20 lbs of weight, keeping it from funnelling may be a challenge. The entire dive has to be able to fall at the same speed. We've had a few dives where wackers have docked and either lifted or pulled out base people. This is a very interesting problem in fluid dynamics and aero engineering. It would make a nice senior project for an aero student, optimizing the design of a very large formation to control these problems.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdesilets 0 #10 January 31, 2004 Thanks for the updates, Bill! BTW, how is Kate doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazyfrog 0 #11 January 31, 2004 our stretch Porter looks like this one , and we usually give an ice cream to the pilot for the balance ---------- Fumer tue, péter pue ------------- ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #12 January 31, 2004 We're all rooting for you, Bill. Say hello to Hod for me....Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,112 #13 January 31, 2004 >how is Kate doing? OK; she's still at the DZ, helping out where she can. She's in a lot of pain though. She can't lie down, so sleeping is problematic. There was a digitial still camera mounted on the tailgate of the plane firing continuously on exit. Scott and I are considering swiping the memory card and doing a forensic CSI-style analysis on the pictures to determine who perpetrated this vile crime against big-ways throughout the world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #14 January 31, 2004 Who is going to take her place or is she going to try to jump through the injury?______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #15 January 31, 2004 QuoteScott and I are considering swiping the memory card and doing a forensic CSI-style analysis on the pictures to determine who perpetrated this vile crime against big-ways throughout the world. And then posting the evidence on the internet so the entire (skydiving) world can scorn and vilify the perpetrator? That might be kinda fun. Thanks for the updates Bill. Tell Kate I said the blue pills are pretty good too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newsstand 0 #16 February 1, 2004 Well it is 7:30 so I hope things are going well! "Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #17 February 1, 2004 QuoteWho is going to take her place or is she going to try to jump through the injury? I heard it was Eliana Rodriguez-- And Kate has approved May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foxyroxtail 0 #18 February 1, 2004 Only a gold medalist could attempt to fill those shoes! Go Kate - You've never "been a victim" and we're rooting for ya. Also rooting for some sleep for you, because I believe you and some other ladies have some tequila shots to pose for, right Mar!? ________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #19 February 1, 2004 QuoteI believe you and some other ladies have some tequila shots to pose for, right Mar!? You can so count on me for that. Pam, you do know that Barb, Kate, Brenda, and Mary should be doing tequila shots for us over there I want pictures.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ranchgirl 0 #20 February 1, 2004 I'd like to see pictures of the mass 672 person jump when everyone was landing. Anyone have photos or know where I can see them?-Crystal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katecooper 0 #21 February 1, 2004 Hi guys I am fine. Am typine one handed--forgive brevity. I'll be okay. Eliana has joined Sector 2 in my slot and I now boss everyone around from ground. Pain is okay--am off meds now except for sleep--even orange pills :-) but have blue pill taped to shoe in case of emergency. I'll not jump again here, but am very much part of this record whether on ground or in air, so I'm not depressed and wish best for the team. cannot reply to personal e-mails or messages due to hand not working well, but thanks for all good wishes--will share them around. red, while and royal blue skies from amazing thailand. kate (am also posting updates, albeit much shorter now) on www.skydiveperris.com on the blog. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #22 February 1, 2004 K8~ So glad to know that you are doing well. Please do pass on our regards and well wishes to all. B2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #23 February 1, 2004 Kate! Glad to know you're o.k. and your humor's still intact (just read your blog entry from today on PerrisCam. Just remember....the Quarterback is the most important piece of the team. That's -your- slot this time around. Go get 'em! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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