chuckbrown

That's also one of my favorite LZ songs.

While I would agree that #2's flying was extremely incompetent, I don't know if it would arise to the level of gross negligence. Maybe, maybe not. #1 definitely should have been paying attention to incoming traffic, though. I don't think #1 is "at fault" here, but he could have avoided a trip to the hospital if he'd been looking out for landing canopies. I ALWAYS look for incoming traffic when I land whether it's a 182 load or a turbine load. This accident was so stupid and so easily avoidable. I hope both heal and others learn.

I seem to remember the last Senator who was his party's nominee for President (Bob Dole) quit his position in the Senate to campaign full time for President.

Dude, you have NO idea who you're talking to. Mike, great post brother. Too bad people are getting offended when they should only be thinking about what you're saying. Keep on keeping on.

It's my understanding that in the northeast everything above 10,000 ft. is controlled by New York. Since it was a C182, my suspicion was he was at or below 10,000 ft. and wasn't monitoring the NY channel.

Without getting into the eternal debate about EPs in a PC in tow situation, hook knives can only HELP you. I personally know of a fatality that could have been avoided if the jumper had a hook knife (premature opening with bridle wrapped around the jumper's leg prevented cutaway with main/reserve entanglement). I also know a jumper who cleared a line over on a reserve by cutting the brake line with a hook knife.

I'm still cracking up (so to speak) over the What Would Jesus Do Thong.

That's probably why he's made it to 101.

And look what's happened to him!

Will contests basically boil down to whether the deceased had the mental capacity to make the will. If a lawyer was involved in drafting the original will, it's highly unlikely that there was a failure to follow the procedural requirements (which are amazingly simple.) It is highly recommended that your friend do get a lawyer. Your friend could easily do the necessary research to get the process started (just go to a law school library and tell the librarian the problem), but your friend will have NO time to learn the rules of evidence needed to present her case before the judge; I've gone against people representing themselves and it's like catching fish with hand grenades -- your friend won't stand a chance at a hearing when it comes to an evidentiary hearing. Chances are most of the evidence would be ruled inadmissible; you need a lawyer to be able to be sure you get your evidence in. If the deceased was of sound mind, your friend shouldn't waste her time contesting the will. BTW, I'm only giving you my opinion on PA law. Don't want to get slammed for practicing law without a license in the other 49.

It could be that he has prior commitments which require his diplomatic acumen... Or it could be he's just a whiny, cheese-eating, surrender monkey.

No, I think just CAT HERDER will suffice. Nobody can round up those pussies like him. Just kiddin' about the "pussies" thing.

Well said.

If you can run over rough ground and do a PLF without seriously aggravating the situation, go for it. I know people with bad knees who use knee braces; others just used the neoprene thingy. I also used to jump with someone who's knees were so bad he slid in every one of his landings. Blue skies.

I want to see the picture the pilot should have taken of these ladies as he landed last Sunday. I thought they were only supposed to do that in the plane for extra altitude. Lucky pilot.

Me 2. Check your bulk mail folder.

You can simulate each step of the deployment and inflation sequences by undoing your pack job. When I was learning to pack, I was so anal about my packing (maybe it was the back-to-back reserve rides on jumps 18 & 19) that I would pack and unpack my gear several times a day. It will give you a good idea of what everything looks like as the canopy deploys and inflates.

You should go up with a coach or other experienced jumper (maybe with video) to get some feedback. Your tracking problems sound more like you're not catching air with your upper body; with proper body position, booties will make you scream across the sky. It's like anything else, practice, practice.

One great uncle was sitting in a Japanese POW camp in the Phillipines (he survived the Bataan Death March). Another great uncle was dodging kamikazes on board an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. My paternal grandfather was going through basic training on D-Day. Unfortunately, he was later assigned as an infantryman in Patton's army. He was KIA in Germany on March 8, 1945. He was 24 years old.

I'm taking nothing away from Sr.'s war record.

Well since their objective was not to surrender immediately, I guess so. Just kiddin'. The UK/Canadian/ANZAC armies were all extremely competent and sophisticated.

You could have at least warned us a hijacking was about to happen.

Just remember that you're the one who gets to enjoy your life by skydiving. Good for walking away. That jerk wasn't worth wasting your time on. He probably was scared shitless for each airborne jump he made and is jealous that you jump out of planes for fun.

Someone in two of these positions said to me "If they want to kill themselves, that's their problem. I won't step in until someone else is endangered, and even then I'll need video to prove it." This is like a S&TA/DZO saying they won't intervene if the jumper has low pulls. When it comes to safety, a DZO can do whatever they want. Nobody has the "right" to jump at any DZ. Any DZ can ground anybody for being unsafe in the air whether its to themselves or others. It seems to me the S&TA or the DZO should take this jumper aside and tell them that they're hearing about some unsafe habits that need to be stopped or your friend will be grounded. Nothing will stop him from hurting himself if he tries hard enough, but the DZ can certainly step in to try and keep him alive.

Thanks. Cross connectors now run only from front to rear risers on the same side. No X between risers. If you're not doing CRW, I can see no value in cross connectors; as far as a control input, it seems that it would only cause air to spill out of the opposite side and only cause one to lose altitude. I doubt there would be any turn resulting, only a sideways slide.