chuckbrown

Again, my question to you was the relevance of the number of troops committed to Iraq as a measure of international political support. Your premise is that because we have the overwhelming majority of combat troops (an agreed upon point), we are acting outside the international political community. My point is that a large number of nations have supported us to the point of sending troops, even if it's merely a token gesture. No the UN doesn't support us, but, the UN's credibility is pretty much shot. My question to you: what magical number of combat troops means we have "international involvement?" Or maybe we should look at the number of counties who support the war vs. the number who don't? You do the research and prove me wrong. Btw, here are the numbers: Iraq Troop numbers March 2004 1 USA 130,000 2 United Kingdom 9,000 3 Italy 3,000 4 Poland 2,460 5 Ukraine 1,600 6 Spain 1,300 7 Netherlands 1,100 8 Australia 800 9 Romania 700 10 Bulgaria 480 11 Thailand 440 12 Denmark 420 13 Honduras 368 14 El Salvador 361 15 Dominican Republic 302 16 Hungary 300 17 Japan 240 18 Norway 179 19 Mongolia 160 20 Azerbaijan 150 21 Portugal 128 22 Latvia 120 23 Lithuania 118 24 Slovakia 102 25 Czech Republic 80 26 Philippines 80 27 Albania 70 28 Georgia 70 29 New Zealand 61 30 Moldova 50 31 Macedonia 37 32 Estonia 31 33 Kazakhstan 25 Sources: The Australian, 17th March 2004. OK, go ahead and take out Spain's 1,300 troops

What relevance does that have? Would your argument be different if the UN was there but only contributed 100 men instead of 100,000? And thank you for saying "NO ?" before I had the opportunity to reply. Sarcasm doesn't become you; it's like the reference to Hitler ... when all else fails.

Spain (for the time being), Poland, Ukraine, Great Britain, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Phillipines, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Kazachstan, Azerbijan, Domincan Republic, Honduras, El Salvador all have troops commited to the war in Iraq. No, the United States is not exactly alone. The reason the French, the Germans and the Russians aren't in there is because their companies were making millions doing business with Hussien. As for the UN, a corrupt bunch of pussies. They only stalled the war so Hussein could continue to pay kick back's to Koffi Annan's son under the oil-for-food program. It's a shame that American blood is being spilled. But we're there and we have to finish what we started (12 years to late). BTW, the people of Iraq, most notably the Shiites and the Kurds (who were murderously oppressed by Hussien) have welcomed us enthusiatically. What's going on now is an insurgency by 2 elements: those loyal to Hussien and those loyal to a fundamental Islamist who has a minority following in the Shiite community; both are vying for power in post-war Iraq and hoping the US will cut and run. al Sadr's forces number 6,000 while the private militias of Ayathollah Sistani (the theological Shiite ruler) number several HUNDRED THOUSAND. If the Shiite community as a whole were against us, our forces would stand as much chance as Custer did. As for the photos of the poor Iraqi children. They're awful and break my heart (truly), but how do you know they weren't hurt by their fellow Iraqis; after all a man named Hussein had no problem slaughtering kids, women and the elderly for his own purposes.

Once you've laid the tail pocket into the container with the nose facing up, try rolling the 3 end cells on each side 6-7 times (tightly). Or more if you want. Also don't expose the center cell. Tuck it in between the rolls of the end cells. Then roll the tail tightly so that only the center cell is showing on the cocoon. Then stuff it in the container. I roll my end cells 3 times for Cessna loads, but 6 or more times for turbine loads. It seems to help. Have fun in Lake Wales. Wish I were going.

Cool. Great article. My only comment to the author was that CRW jumpers will open at the exit altitudes of freefall jumpers e.g., 13,500 ft. Other than that, a fantastic article.

Turns using both brakes. Apply brakes then increase brake input on the side you want to turn towards. Practice it up high, first. Brakes shouldn't be too heavy or you won't have sufficient drive for a good flare.

I think the container must have opened early on that one. That's the only way I can see a foot getting caught in the suspension line. Ideally, with an IAD, the PC is release when the bridle is at full extension but before the pin is pulled. Other than that that's how Mr. Bills should go.

What he said.

I'll stall my Lightning to lose altitude fast. One of the coolest things I've ever seen was watching Chris Gay and Rusty Vest do riser stalls. They were under canopy, 10-20 feet apart and FACING each other head on. There was no forward speed and they just did this incredible dance with their canopies going around each other all the while facing one another. BTW, I was specifically advised not to try this maneuver below an altitude I was uncomfortable cutting away from. Edited to korrekt my speling.

Good news. This looks like a great plane. Too bad about the pilot of the first one.

Unlimited possibilities.

I had back-to-back cutaways before I had my A license. Jumps 18 & 19. I've also had 3 other malfunctions that I was able to clear before I had to cutaway. No matter how many jumps you have, always practice your EPs so that when the time comes (it will) your reactions will be automatic.

Definitely recommend the IAD method, but find someone who won't mess up. An IAD instructor is best, but I've IAD'd several Mr. Bills and everybody lived and I'm not an instructor. We then did CRW with the Mr. Bill. Woohoo!

Great article about a great man. Too bad the bureauweenies have it out for him.

Iraq is not Vietnam. The attacks on coalition troops are being done by factions who want the US out so they can reassert their control over the rest of Iraqi society, i.e., Baathists who want to restore Hussein's regime and militant Islamists who want to create an Islamic Republic similar to Iran. If the US leaves they will immediately turn their guns on each other (and everybody else who isn't on their side). If the entire population was against us, we wouldn't stand a chance. The overwhelming majority of Iraqis support what's been done by the US. Their major gripe has been the US's inability to get a handle on the militant groups and restore order and security.

What will happen if you have a line over on a reserve? With a hook knife you can cut the brake lines and land with rear risers. Without one, you're dead. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. They don't take up much space and can save your life.

No. Not to take anything away from his service to his country, I fail to see how that qualifies him to be a lobbyist for the skydiving industry, or any industry associated with aviation. Now if he was an aviation attorney with experience representing clients before the FAA in both regulatory and adjudicative matters, I'd have a different opinion. USPA's track record isn't that great when it comes to representing the interests of the majority of DZs. On an aside, I recently e-mailed USPA regarding FAA regulations on parachute operations conducted off DZ, specifically as they relate to taking CRW formations low on demos. USPAs response was no problem (or to be fair their response was the SIM doesn't prohibit it). Well, just to cover my ass, I kept doing research, and, lo and behold, there is a specific FAA policy regarding CRW formations and demos, one which can prohibit the activities which USPA said weren't prohibited by the SIM. This was a really piss poor response from an entity which is in the business of representing skydiving interests before the FAA.

Very few business entities move to DC to support their lobbying efforts; they hire DC lobbyists to represent them. What qualifies Needles to be a lobbyist -- his time as a Golden Knight? Sorry, that doesn't impress the bureacracy. Look at the results they got on the Virginia lawsuit ban. It blew up in their face. My membership money would be much better spent by contracting with professional lobbyists to deal with the FAA and Congress on specific issues as the need arises. There's also no reason for the administrative staff to be located in the metro DC area. Many major corporations are located in Po-dunk, specifically because of lower costs.

Let's not forget the salaries they pay themselves to be worthless, as well as the fact that they decided to put their headquarters and museum in the most expensive real estate market in the nation.

Another vote for listing locations (home DZs).

My .02 would be not to go below a 1:1 wingloading on the reserve until you get more experience, especially on a 7 cell (which has a steeper glide path than a 9 cell). Everybody I know who has landed a reserve loaded higher than 1:1 got pounded, mainly because they were used to the flare of a ZP canopy while reserves are made of F-111. One buddy busted his ankle. Of course if you're getting experience jumping the PD160R and can land it, go for it.

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The mountains of El Yunque (Puerto Rico) at sundown.

Couldn't agree more. My home DZ is located in some of the best farmland in the world (Lancaster County, PA). We go out of our way to be on great relations with the neighbors. By being extremely sensitive to the property rights of others, our jumpers are extended courtesies many times over. If someone does give you grief, it is their property... suck it up, say I'm sorry & get on another load. If I land in somebody's yard I always introduce myself, apologize and offer to pay for the inconvenience.

There are lots of licensed jumpers who are uncomfortable with their packing abilities (even though they've been signed off by an Instructor). As a result they use packers (their dollar). Personally, when I was a low time jumper, I repeatedly packed and pulled the main back out to simulate deployment so I could see how the parachute opened. This went along way in giving me a comfort level with my packing. I've never had to cut away from my own pack job. I think it's great that you have to jump your own pack job; you'll pay more attention to packing.