kallend 2,146 #1 April 13, 2007 Everyone who applied through bigways.com (texasstaterecord.com) was sent an email update yesterday, but a few bounced back for various reasons such as overactive spam blocking, etc. Some of you have out of date email addresses on file. So if you didn't hear from me, please send me a PM and tell me where to to send the information. We have a very well qualified team!... 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
popsjumper 2 #2 April 13, 2007 Why is it that the web site requires a D license? Is it that only D-licenses are considered "qualified"? Just asking.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,146 #3 April 13, 2007 QuoteWhy is it that the web site requires a D license? Is it that only D-licenses are considered "qualified"? Just asking. You're asking the WRONG person.... 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
kallend 2,146 #4 April 14, 2007 By the way, anyone who has made it to POPS age without becoming a Freak Brother , this is a great opportunity to fix that problem.... 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
gemini 0 #5 April 16, 2007 Although it is not an "official" rule, a lot of big way organizers will not accept jumpers who do not have a minimum number of jumps which is around 500. The D license or foreign equivalent is an easy way to document US jumpers with 500 jumps. I believe that even Dan, Kate & Tony's big way camps require 300 jumps or so. QuoteIs it that only D-licenses are considered "qualified"? Big way qualifications are significantly different than other skydiving disciplines. You have to have a "big way" resume' and be known to the event captains usually to even be considered. Having thousands of jumps or having a D license alone will not get you on a big way. You must also be a "team player" and show that you are willing to pay the price to get on the big way jumps. How do you pay the price? 1. Attend big way camps that are taught by national or international organizers and captains. Work hard during the camp to improve and show the captains what you can do. Make sure to introduce yourself to the captains and your teammates and get to know them. 2. Spend time enthusiastically on the A-team and be ready to step-in on a moments notice. 3. Fly reliably and consistently each and every jump. Be known as someone who can be in their slot 100% of the time quickly, safely and quietly before taking a no momentum dock. 4. Admit to your mistakes when asked and work to improve your weak areas. 5. If you get on an event and get cut, you stay on-site and enthusiastically support the team and do what you can to help out while you are on the ground. 6. Do not cause the captains any problems. Do not talk bad about other jumpers, do not point out other's errors. Be on time for dirt dives, get on the correct airplane. Show up with all your gear. Never, ever ask to leave the event early or if you can skip a jump to eat, etc.! 7. Be persistent, consistent and follow all the rules. No hook turns on big ways, fly the pattern, following the landing rules even if it means landing downwind. No removing booties in the air. Always clearing your air after deployment. 8. You must be able to track long, far, flat and fast! If you can't track practice on every jump you make. Talk to someone who can track and imitate them. Follow your tracking leader...do not track off alone unless told to do so by a captain. Deploy only at the assigned altitude. Break-off only when the captain tells you to break-off. If the break-off signal is the base kicking, ignore your dytter and wait for the kick. 9. Never, ever leave the DZ during an event. 10. Stay current. This means 150-300 jumps per year. 11. Listen to the captains. They have seen a lot more big way issues, what works and what doesn't than you probably have. If they tell you to add weights, don't argue with them....just do it. If they put you in a slot there is a reason. Show them you can fly it better than anyone else and then they might consider you for a different one. 12. Although not the end of the list by any means, recognize that even if you attend the camps, follow all the rules, and fly better than you ever have before...you still may not get a slot on a specific event. If I apply for an 80-way slot and there are 80 World Team members who have also applied, there is a damn good chance that I won't get a slot. The organizers are in a tough spot. In a 100-way that costs $700 per jumper there is $70,000 invested in the event. If they add good 'ole boys and friends and leave off better jumpers, and consistently fail to reach the event goal the jumpers will stop coming. On the other side of the coin, if I am on an event that fails because one jumper broke early or went low and failed to get a grip I am pissed. It's a very tough job dealing with manifest, the DZO, the pilots,and the jumpers. They may slot a few people who you think are less qualifed than you are. Have you ever asked a captain why you didn't get a slot? Maybe you should. Blue skies, Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,146 #6 April 16, 2007 Nice summary, Jim. See you Wednesday.... 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
mirage62 0 #7 April 17, 2007 What YOU got a slot...........jeez there goes the good ol boy thing (cya Wednesday too) Kevin Keenan is my hero, a double FUP, he does so much with so little Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,146 #8 April 17, 2007 Quote What YOU got a slot...........jeez there goes the good ol boy thing (cya Wednesday too) I got a slot on the IL POPS jump? Sure, I'm handling all the approvals. Are you coming? For a small bribe I can get you a slot too.... 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
mirage62 0 #9 April 17, 2007 Quote I got a slot on the IL POPS jump? Sure, I'm handling all the approvals. Are you coming? For a small bribe I can get you a slot too. See, for a coll prof you still need to learn.........it's suppose to be a LARGE bribe.......Kevin Keenan is my hero, a double FUP, he does so much with so little Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skydave103 0 #10 April 28, 2007 John, I have been wanting my FB number for a couple of years. Emailed Norge a few times but still waiting. Did a 4 way with 3 FB's the weekend of Roger's Funeral @ the DZ. But I am still waiting for it. May be you can help me out. When is the record? No specifics were given. I will be there for Summerfest and the FF WR atempt if the will be around the time of the POPS I can make it a 2fer! Thanks, Skydave Dave PadyjasekLifeshouldNOTbeajourneytothegravewithawellpreservedbody,buttskidinsideways,cigarinone hand,martiniintheother,bodythoroughlyused upandscreaming:"WOO HOO!! What a ride!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,146 #11 April 28, 2007 QuoteJohn, I have been wanting my FB number for a couple of years. Emailed Norge a few times but still waiting. Did a 4 way with 3 FB's the weekend of Roger's Funeral @ the DZ. But I am still waiting for it. May be you can help me out. When is the record? No specifics were given. I will be there for Summerfest and the FF WR atempt if the will be around the time of the POPS I can make it a 2fer! Thanks, Skydave Dave Padyjasek www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2708595#2708595... 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
kallend 2,146 #12 May 15, 2007 The event's web site is up, at www.freak-brother.com/ILPOPS If you have not yet sent in your registration deposit, you'd better act soon because we're filling up fast.... 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
kallend 2,146 #13 May 24, 2007 The list of registered jumpers (registration fee received) is up on the web site www.freak-brother.com/ILPOPS/. If you are interested and have not yet registered we will be running a wait-list in case anyone drops out.... 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
