Leaderboard

My instructor learned from Perry, I think, because he came from California, and he, too, drilled endlessly, with yelling and all, on PLF's, cutaways and emergency procedures. And I've been jumping a pretty long time, also with no injuries. That training and practice stuff works. Wendy P.

Hey Rocky!!! I know you’re watching. You are still Da-Man & always: tough-as-nails! Give Fang a bear hug for me. JoeD/D5182...

I bet that Airline food is still out there somewhere... Maybe Eric can find it.. and do a TV show on the search.

I was a rigging student at Perry’s loft in 1973. He was a firm believer in discipline and listening. I had taken a bus & hitched hiked from New Mexico to learn rigging. I was “camping out” inside a hangar at the Antioch airport due to lack of funds. Perry figured out pretty quick that I was broke. So he let me share his small camper w/ Mike E. The next day was also the 1st day in class, after his introduction & a no nonsense warning for good behavior, Mr. Stevens mildly says “taking notes is important”, the class goes on and we do a bunch of rigging stuff. The next day, his 1st remarks are, “let me see your notebook”. Neither of us had 1, I had no transportation & no extra cash, Mike was pretty much in the same situation but had a motorcycle and a broken leg. He warned us, in no uncertain terms, that we were dumb and should think twice about being riggers. Perry had a military bearing in his teaching style and Mike & I were just a couple of young “hippie-esque” skydivers. We needed to adapt and he saw fit that we did. The course was a 10 day event w/ weekends off. His final practical exam was thorough & fair, I repacked a pilots emergency chute w/ a 28’ flat. I knew he was going to pick this pack job apart, so I took extra care and 3 hours to pack it. All the while his “voice” is playing in my head,”the inspection is the most important part of your job!”. Mr. Stevens was patient, never rushed me and comes over to inspect my work. I had my inspection report/sheet filled out & signed. He is happy with the appearance, pulls the ripcord, the container opens and the limp A3 soft-top, falls out. He is still pleased. From there he goes to a specific gore seam, without looking, he asks for my inspection report and immediately informs me that I missed this 3” section of missing stitches in the suspension line channel. I am dumbfounded & embarrassed, and figured that was it. He deducts some points from my “score” & continues on.... Well I am pleased to say that I passed and so did Mike. Perry taught us well and we learned that discipline belongs in rigging. I learned more than rigging from him and I still have my notebook! Thanks Perry

Fang/Fennimore: An original for sure. Hall of Fame quality, skydiver, Test Jumper, rigger, pilot and “after hours legend”. No BS! Bow Bow Bow Bow.... Rocky’s lookin’ for ya... again!

Every AFF student ever owes this man a beer, Fly free Rocky.

Nick Furchner of Reno NV passed away yesterday after a long fight with cancer. Long time big way jumper, awesome dentist and one of the most generous and caring individuals you could ever know. Nick will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, jumpers and whuffos alike. Blue skies, Nick. Fuck cancer.

In all the years I’ve been going to big-way events, record attempts, boogies, whatever, Nick was one of the special few that when you saw him on the DZ, you thought “cool! Nick is here” and you hoped he was on your plane.

Super awesome guy. Did lot's of jumps and tunnel with him over the years. One year, at an invitational at the home zone, I had a tooth problem that was a real pain. That night, after sufficient anesthetic was applied, Nick got after it with whatever was handy in the kitchen while the whole load looked on giving encouragement. Good times, great memories. He'll be sorely missed, that's a fact.