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Hey Old Timers and all those whose daydreams involve returning to the past days of lawless drop zones, you may want to catch up with my latest writing project. Simply put, I began fantasizing what it might be like if a few inactive jumpers and pilots afflicted by old age and restrictions put on them by the Feds decided to open a no holds barred, private, by invitation only, skydiving club out in the boonies and did what we did in days past without regard for the laws they might break. I'm posting the finished installments as they are written on my website and they can be read at no cost. There has been a twist or two since beginning the project. After reading the stories, several people contacted me and said that it was a shame that such a club didn't exist and if there was such a club, they would immediately join. So, I said why not? If you visit my website and look around, you will discover the club, who the current members are and what we are up to. Ultimately, probably within three months, I will publish the story as a book. When finished, the book will only be available to buy as signed copy complete with an Outlaw bookmark and membership card. ALL of the proceeds will be donated to The International Skydiving Hall of Fame and Museum. I have written eight installments with an ninth soon to be posted. You can subscribe to my e-mail list and get immediate notifications as new installments are posted and Outlaw events unfold. Check out "The Outlaws" at https://www.mikemarcon.rocks and follow me on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/mike.marcon.92

Hi Binary, That is pretty close; nicely done. IMO the problem is: ' . . . "release RSL on one side before cutaway" requirement).' That simply requires too much of the jumper when encountered with a malfunction. Jerry Baumchen

I agree. This is a sore point for me too. I would also include any sport rig that the manufacturer has decided they will "No Longer Support". If they don't want their old gear out there anymore then they should step up and issue an AD. Instead they are trying to dodge liability by dumping the onus on the field rigger.

If you think about it . It is the only device which guarantee you the reserve will open only when both risers left ! Otherwise I agree it makes it more complicated to pack and special reserve loops....

Depends on what. Doubling down on disinformation? We have to go back to the 1930's for that probably. Maybe Trump started it up again. Homelessness? Nope, Trump didn't start that. He didn't cause COVID, but he did help to set the tone for our response -- he owns the response. He doesn't own racial injustice, prejudice, or discrimination, but he does own legitimizing it at the national level. Right now, majority people own the discussion, so it's all about them telling their inferiors how they are wrong and have to change, and it's not one-sided. It's not one-sided on the other side, either, but, ya know -- someone has to start, and the people who can afford to lose more should be willing to start. They're not backed into a corner. Wendy P.

Hi Ken, I've heard that the vaccine will be available on Nov 3rd. Jerry Baumchen

Start at 0:35:

“Bolton writes that the House should have broadened its impeachment inquiry to other areas of his foreign policy, contending that he can document — and identify witnesses to — "Ukraine-like transgressions ... across the full range of his foreign policy,” Well it would have been nice if he’d had a fucking spine and said something at the time instead of saving it for a book deal.

Make America Straight Again?

If it requires belonging to some group, no. If it means I'm against fascism, yes. If it means I think all government, or all conservatives, or all police, are evil, then no. So 2 out of three means a "no" vote. But then I'm not real big on formal groups that seem to demand allegiance. Wendy P.

It can be overcast, with the clouds high enough to not be an issue. Or the clouds can be scattered, and you jump 'around' them. There's enough light with an overcast for the video to be fine. If the clouds don't stop the jump from happening, I'd go.

Difference between the rich slobs who pay you, vs the rich snobs that expect you to pay for their fun. Fortunately I learned early on as a rigger that if you are NOT rigging to earn a living, you can choose for whom you rig... I don't pack "expensive FAA required seat cushions". I inspect, repair, repack, and train my customers (primarily pilots) in the use of a lifesaving device. If they don't believe that's what it is, there are other riggers out there that are eager to take their money. Just my $.02, JW

Yes, that reminds me of a conversation with Manley Butler. I had dis-assembled a puked upon seat pack and tossed it in the washing machine. I grumbled about how much that team abused their parachutes and questioned if we should continue to repack them. After a mere two years, their team parachutes were faded, frayed and filthy! Manley replied: "They may be slobs, but they are rich slobs and they pay their bills on time."

They were going to die anyway. If you leave the rigs in the cockpit when you exit on the ground, you'll leave them in the cockpit when you exit in the air. It's just muscle memory and habit.