Thailand update #4

[billvon 3,116]

Friday

It's getting hotter here. I think it hit 95 today (and around 80% humidity) which makes dirt diving a little painful, especially in full gear. On the plus side the Thais are starting the aircraft a little sooner, so they cool off a bit faster. From what I can tell two engines need to be running before the A/C works. (They have heat, too! Which is nice at 21,000 feet with the tailgate open.)

First dive today was the record dive minus the outer two wacker rows, so it was a 222-way. The base built well but the wackers had some problems. We tried the same dive again, and this time a funnel started to my left that took out 90% of the base. It was scary to watch from on-level; you could see people falling out but no indication as to where it started or when it would stop. I was about a half a second from grips when the funnel started to make its way through the dive, and was able to back out before it got me as well. Amazingly, the base rebuilt completely before breakoff. This is a big deal from a safety perspective, since people have to be at least approximately in their slots to have the breakoff work as planned.

Kate Cooper dislocated her shoulder on the second jump, and I _think_ an alpha team member broke something on landing (they were jumping a G-222 in between our loads.) That in combination with a mechanical problem and the threat of some clouds prompted BJ to cancel the third jump of the day, and we all took off to lie around the pool, do some shopping and congregate in the very odd "authentic Irish pub" next door to the hotel.

Cultural note - Riding in a tuk-tuk is odd not only because you're in a tiny open air three-wheeled vehicle driven at unreasonable speed through heavy traffic, but because tall passengers can't see much of where you're going. I only get to see about 50 feet ahead from my perspective, and thus I wouldn't see what we were weaving through until the last minute. Tonight that included dogs, small children, buses, cars and elephants. The first time I saw an elephant in the way it was one of those "am I really seeing this?" but they really do seem to use them to haul cargo around; the elephants I saw were carrying loads of boxes. And we were dodging them at 40mph. I would be tempted to say that driving in a tuk-tuk is more dangerous than the actual jumps, but unfortunately the opposite has been true so far.

Tomorrow one more 222-way, and then the plan is to try the 372-way.

[ZoneRat 0]

Thanks for taking the time to post these updates, Bill. It's exciting reading. We're pullin' for ya!

I'm sure you'd rather be out enjoying Thailand.

Stay safe and good luck!

“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophies.”

[mr2mk1g 10]

yeah this is real "cut out and keep" stuff

[nacmacfeegle 0]

"Kate Cooper dislocated her shoulder on the second jump,"

Thats a serious blow, send Kate all our vibes, I'm sure she will keep you guys motivated though.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[jumperconway 0]

Thanks for the update Bill! Any more info on your "Alpha" brother?

[diverdriver 7]

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Kate Cooper dislocated her shoulder on the second jump, and I _think_ an alpha team member broke something on landing (they were jumping a G-222 in between our loads.) That in combination with a mechanical problem and the threat of some clouds prompted BJ to cancel the third jump of the day, and we all took off to lie around the pool, do some shopping and congregate in the very odd "authentic Irish pub" next door to the hotel.

OH DAMN! I'm sorry Kate got hurt. You tell her I'm thinking about her. Dang that sucks. How did it happen? She hit the door on exit?

[quade 4]

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Dang that sucks. How did it happen? She hit the door on exit?

This from the Perris web site.

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Kate on Friday, January 30, 2004 at 04:09


Greetings this will be short as I am typing with one hand. I dislocated my shoulder (left) today on an exit collision. I will be fine, but I'll be watching the next world record from the ground. I deployed my main but could not release brakes and made a fairly ungraceful no flare landing in the main landing area. I'll tell the story later. I did not have to go to the hospital as Dr. Eric De Coster reduced (put back in) the shoulder in the landing area. He is currently my hero.


I am resting at the hotel and plan to join the team for video reviews tomorrow, I am not in much pain (jumpers carry the most interesting array of pain killers with them).


I am fine This too shall pass. More stories later Love to all kate

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[diverdriver 7]

Thanks Quade. Oh man my heart breaks for Kate. She's "aces" in my book.

[Remster 30]

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Thanks Quade. Oh man my heart breaks for Kate. She's "aces" in my book.

Yeah...

At least its nothing more then that. Still a shame she wont be on the record attempts.

That doctor was with us with the Exotic boogie in Borneo where we had C130 and sctreched ones too, and he ended up puting back in several shoulders....

Remster

[arlo 0]

kate's one tough mf and will show the rest of the team what being a teammate is all about.
go get 'em world team so the parties can begin!

arlo

[mjosparky 4]

Bill,
Thanks for taking the time to post. There are a bunch of people back in the world pulling for you guys. That world team is not made up of a bunch of wimps, so that tells me the exits are a son of a bitch.
Take care and be safe.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[dgskydive 0]

I bet your boys shrunk up real nice watching that Bill. Glad they where able to rebuild before breakoff. My heart goes out to Kate. Take care of her for us. Be safe over there damn it!

Dom

[skybytch 273]

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My heart goes out to Kate. Take care of her for us.

Me too. Glad she's got the kick ass pain killers to help out but FUCK! That majorly sucks.