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The thing is, my accuracy was generally pretty good and performed without s-turns throughout my jump life. I wasn't swoop happy, and this is really the point I was trying to drive home... I made a last minute (well, last second) mistake in judgment and I hit hard. I take full blame for that... not my training. You can only teach so much. Dick Cheney shot a guy yesterday. I don't blame the guy that taught him to shoot... I blame him. I probably could have educated myself a little better. I appreciate your sentiment, though. Hitting the ground sucks. At least I've got the video.... -ac

It was just time to stop. Had a great time with it. Miss it horribly. But it wasn't that jump. I jumped an additional hundred times after that crash without incident. Anyway, I was jumping without insurance... and my mom wouldn't leave me alone about it.... I know. No insurance. I'm ashamed. Fire at will. -ac

No, it hadn't. The video clearly shows you're still in a turn. Semantics. I meant that it evened out from where it was. Clearly the canopy wasn't done evening out or I would not have hit the ground so hard. Clearly the canopy had come pretty close to evening out, or I'd be femured or dead. -ac

Matt... I agree with you 100%. Personally, I didn't feel it was a canopy issue, either... I think I could have pulled off that stunt with a wide range of parachutes. But anytime people have landing incidents, people always ask those questions (wingloading, etc)... so I thought I would answer them up front. I agree too about not having the experience to fly the pattern to where I needed to land... and using the s-turns to compensate for the lack of knowledge. I take full responsibility for using the s-turns that low. I was never taught to do that. I definitely didn't realize the target fixation then... but I do now. That's one of those lessons that can be really cheap or really expensive. Thanks for your input.

I... don't jump anymore. I haven't for almost two years. Recently though, I decided an incident I had was worth posting. So, here goes. I had been in the sport for about a year. I had 153 jumps. On jump #116, I downsized from my Triathlon 220 to a Spectre 150. I weighed 160 pounds. Out the door, it gave me a wingloading of around 1.2. Lots of numbers there..... I know. I jumped a few canopies in between the downsize, but not many. I flew the Spectre pretty damn well without any issues. On jump #154, I had the opportunity to do a film jump. A camera crew came out and paid me and two of my pals to film our landings. The camera was locked down... so they needed us to land in the middle of the peas. First jump, no problem. On my next jump, jump #155, I worried a little about not hitting my mark... by overshooting or undershooting. So, I set up a little high and did some low S-turns so I could sink down into my spot. I was doing just fine until my last turn, when I noticed the ground coming up at me a wee bit quicker than I was used to. I tried to flare, but the ground was still coming at me. I picked up my legs, thinking the flare would kick in and I would just barely avoid a brutal landing. No such luck. While my canopy HAD evened out and had lost a lot of vertical speed, I was still too late in my reaction. Picking up my legs may have made the problem worse, as my knees were the first thing to hit the ground. Any type of PLF at that point, well, it didn't happen. As soon as I impacted the Earth, I bounced and was thrown back up into the air... spun around backwards... and crashed. I remember the last thing going through my mind was, "shit!" Shortly after coming to a rest, I tried to wiggle my toes to see check on my condition. They moved. I couldn't see any bones sticking out from anywhere. Some of my pals came over to assist. Through what I really just attribute to dumb-luck, I somehow got up and walked (limped) away. A ripped jumpsuit, two black and blue knees and a bruised ego were among the worst casualties. I suppose one could make a lot of statements about my incident. Some people might think I downsized too much or too quickly. I wasn't *trying* to be crazy. I was considered a conservative skydiver. I think the 1.2 wingloading I had was good. I continued to jump it over another 100 times without incident. I realize that no incident does not equal no problem, but... I purchased the canopy based on my flying skills and conversation with people around the dz that knew me. The fact is, I easily could have done the same thing with a 170 or a 190. Maybe not. You tell me. My point is, I felt comfortable with it. Maybe I should not have been doing a film jump. Again, I FELT ready for it. I was not trying to show off. And in fact, this is really the point of my post: Even up until the last S-turn, there wasn't a DOUBT in my mind that I was going to make it. I never thought I was in over my head or that I could femur-in or worse. Obviously I was wrong. I "ended" my skydiving career with 262 uneventful jumps... with this obvious one exception. I feel like my training was amazing and my gear performed as it should. I made a mistake... and was very lucky to walk away from it. Feel free to draw your own conclusions... my feelings won't be hurt. I do have a pretty amazing video of the crash. Part of me *does* wonder if a 170 or a 190 would have had less of a recovery arc... thereby making my crash worse. Maybe I am just trying to justify my actions.. maybe not. Anyway, I hope someone with a similar amount of (in)experience decides to leave themselves a larger margin of safety than I did. I easily could have done a ton of damage to myself and am very thankful that I did not. The video is slowed down... just the way the guys shot it. The music is not to make light of the situation... but it makes it easier for me to watch. For the record, I did land in the middle of the peas. Be safe. -Adam http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=3319

Um, ya, this is the first, only and last time I will announce my retirement. And, I don't see what the use is of a retired skydiver posting here. What, in five years from now, I'm supposed to have some brilliant skydiving advice to give? Dude, who is asking for sympathy, crying or music. Again, it was a respectful goodbye. If you don't want to pay attention to it, guess what? We all have a choice. ac

Tuna, I leave this sport in great spirits. My posting of this last thread has nothing to do with attention or pity or sorrow. It has to do with a respectful goodbye to a sport and to people that I learned so much from, rather than just slink off into the darkness. If you got negative vibes from it, then blue skies brother, blue skies. ac

Okay, this is not what this was supposed to turn into. You think I'm weak? You're right. Props to you and anyone else that can continue to jump a few minutes after the ambulance has left. Props to you if skydiving makes you feel accomplished. Props to you that things don't affect you. But, as Ron pointed out, you really don't know what you are talking about. Which is why, I suspect, Ron showed other examples where you did not know what you were talking about. You have no idea why I am leaving, other than the reasons I posted. As it is, I posted plenty of reasons. But, you want one or two more? I run my own consulting business that has finally started to take off. I am trying to buy a home. If I crash, will you go on my consulting jobs for me, and help me pay my mortgage? If I end up badly hurt, will you wipe my ass? Ever read Christopher Reeve's book? I suggest you do. It will bring some reality to you. We may "only" see 30 or so fatalities a year, but the injuries are in far greater numbers than you think. Again, if you're cool with that, great. I'm not. And again, it isn't SO much about me getting hurt or ending up dead. I don't want to see it happen to friends. I don't want to see it happen to people I don't even know. I have 262 jumps that say I ain't scared of shit. Apparently you missed the part of my post where I said how much I had learned... and how it is about the journey, not the destination... and apparently you missed that really fucking cool picture I posted. I'm thinking that pic should get me laid well into my fifties. And Scott, don't complain about Ron attempting to make you look bad. You called me weak. What is the difference? Were you attempting to make me look good?? Few people ever do ANYTHING their whole lives. Life is a journey. You want to stay in the same place or do the same things, that is up to you.. and there is nothing wrong with it. I know in the end, your post has the same sentiment as the others. Most people just don't want to see a skydiver leave the sport. I appreciate that. Most of my pals at the dz don't believe I am done. But, I am. This decision is already hard enough. I've accepted it. You need to, also. ac

one last thought.... ya. it is the right time to go. i'm sad, but comfortable with my decision. ever see seinfeld? they left while the ratings were still good. bad comparison... I'm no seinfeld. just look at my paycheck. just look at any of my videos. i'm no skyg_d. just a guy that liked to jump. anyway.... in a short time period, I've seen too many injuries. enough people have been hurt. enough people have died. ever seen someone in the hospital, paralyzed from skydiving? i have. ever seen someone with a $100,000 hospital bill from breaking both femurs, told by their doctor that they will probably be in pain for the rest of their lives? i have. ever seen someone on the ground in agony after a landing accident? i have. ever seen an ash dive? sorry folks... not quite what I signed up for. I did take something from this sport that I'd like to give back. it is this. it isn't about the 60 seconds of freefall (or in my case, wingsuiting it, 120 seconds). it isn't about the final destination. it is about the journey. if it is all about the destination, then on your best day, you might spend 1% of it in freefall. You are bound to be disappointed. So, enjoy the car ride out there. enjor your friends. enjoy the plane ride. enjoy the canopy flight. enjoy the landing. enjoy packing your rig. if it is all about 60 seconds of freefall to you, you are missing 99% of what skydiving has to offer. i've learned a great deal from this incredible sport and the people involved with it. I don't regret a second of it. be safe. and share one of my best moments... with this pic. adam cole d-25990

Hey Folks. Well, after almost three years in the sport and almost 300 jumps, I've decided to call it quits. Yep, quits. Some may ask why. Others may not care... just means more room on the airplane. Heck, it even means more room on the message boards. I won't read or post here again (other than to list my gear for sale). I know some of your are thrilled. That's okay. There really isn't any one reason why I am leaving the sport. There are lots of reasons. Seeing, hearing and reading about injuries and fatalities has taken its toll on me. It has. If there is one incident that sticks out, it is Dwain Weston. I met Dwain a few months ago. He was jumping this awesome birdman suit, and I still had my little Classic that I loved so much. I asked if I could make a jump with him. We made it a four way... he and his pal... me and my pal. The first jump just went so-so. He gave me some advice on the ground and we tried again. I did better, and we even docked. Watching him fly was just... awesome... and indescribable to anyone that never had the chance to fly with him or someone of his skill level. I've only known one other person in my life that could fly a birdman suit like that. In any case, I left the dz that day in such great spirits. I was still on that high a week later when I found out that he died.. some eight days after I met him. Jesus... that hit hard. Not because I was best friends with him... I wasn't. But because he was a person.. and because he was such an energetic and fun guy to hang out with (and fly with). I suppose under any circumstances, it would have been a tragedy. Anyway, I took a hiatus after that, stopping only to fly birdman in tribute to someone else that died, though not from skydiving. Shorlty after that, a guy I knew for ten years hung himself. So, please understand that this isn't about skydiving and how it is so dangerous. For the most part, it is safe. I know I could have been killed on the way home today by a drunk driver or a meteor. You don't have to tell me. I practically wrote that script. For whatever reason, I just feel like it is time to stop. I don't have the inclination to jump anymore. Sure, I do feel like at some point, statistically, the odds start to work against you. And, I don't have medical insurance or a family within 3,000 miles of here. If I got hurt, wow, it would suck. But, this goes beyond hurt or death. Funny, today, as I made my last jump, I was more scared than on my AFF 1. But, it was uneventful... other than the fact that I had a great time. The fact is, everyone has a great time so long as all is good. A death or serious injury can put a stop to that quickly... and change lives overnight. And no, I don't plan on not living my life. But, I don't know, I'm just not into it anymore. So, I'd like to leave you all with best wishes, and a few requests: 1) Be good to each other 2) Let people ask as many questions as they want 3) Find a happy medium between regulation and education 4) Realize that CYPRES is spelled with ONE S. Adam

Dammit. Michele... you must think I'm an asshole. I just read this now. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I haven't had access to my computer for a week (see attached, and no, that ain't me in the pic). There is nothing fun nor funny about 400 gallons of water. There are bright sides to this. My gear didn't get wet. And yet, there are some not so bright sides. Anyone know how to battle a slumlord that refuses to fix anything? And back to Chinese food, Michele. How about THIS Friday?? ac

I thought jumping without the wingsuit would be a good idea... at least for the first jump or two. Um, I AM a coach. Should I jump with myself or ANOTHER coach?? ac

Here is the situation... I have 261 jumps over a 2 1/2 year time period. For a variety of reasons, I haven't jumped in four months. I jump a Spectre 150 with a wing loading of about 1.2 (usually birdman jumps). I'm planning on jumping this weekend. Any brilliant advice? ac

Hey. A girl name Liz wrote me on Friendster, but it won't let me write her back. Anyone, probably in Southern Cali, know who she is? Thanks, AC

Sorry... one last thought... Way back in the day, people jumped rounds. People jumped without a Cypres. Wingsuits were considered deadly. So what? That was then and this is now. The sport has evolved... as it will continue to do. Let's find a medicine that fits the disease. We can do that through a non-draconian BSR and a test (if that is really necessary) that is applicable to the skillset. Education is key. People are not dumb... especially skydivers. Give them the chance to be educated... and they will take it. Most people don't want to die. They just need the opportunity to learn. ac

That's great. Frankly, I don't care if you have done it with a birdman suit instead of a canopy. This still doesn't say anything about you learning about not hooking it in and hurting yourself. Of COURSE it can be done. The fact still remains, most people can't. Should that in and of itself prevent the rule from being implemented? Of course not. But it does mean that you'll have that much more resistance to getting it implemented. Further, you've yet to show even one iota of proof that passing the Pro test MEANS anything other than that you'll be a good candidate for performing a demo. Wrong. I don't think there needs to be a test for everything we do. Again, you're talking about licensed skydivers. You're talking about adults. Quite frankly, I don't need to prove anything to you. And again, your idea of a test to "prove" my abilities is completely arbitrary. You've yet to show what the connection is between passing the pro test and learning not to smash yourself into the ground. Awesome. Come up with something appropriate, and watch the supporters rally around you. Don't you see... the primary problem is people that turn too low to the ground, either intentionally (to hook) or unintentionally (because they are unaware that they do not have sufficient altitude and have decided to turn into the wind... or turn to avoid something). I bet I could land all sorts of canopies just fine.... flying straight in. I landed a Stiletto 135 once and had no problem. But, does that mean I should be flying that canopy? No. It's still too little, too soon, in my eyes. People would still skydive even if the jumps cost $100 and they made you jump a 290. So what? Does that mean it should still be that way? Gas could cost $5 a gallon, and I'll still buy it. That isn't the point. The point is... how fun or how miserable are you going to make it for people? When is an adult an adult? When does someone get to make big-boy decisions, all for themselves? I get to do this every day... in everything I do. Are there rules and regulations? Of course. But we already have them in skydiving. We don't need more abstract, arbitrary rules that only a few people want. I think I am done with this subject. I've already stated several times that accuracy counts. I've already thrown my support to a reasonable BSR and additional canopy training. But, I can't and won't support draconian methods to advance your unsubstantiated method of reducing injuries and fatalities. But look, don't take my word for it. Like I said, feel free to start a poll. Or, do what I did... and ask around your own DZ. Better yet, go to your DZO and get him or her to implement your ideas. The proof will be in the pudding. I'll just take solace with the knowledge that your idea will never go beyond dropzone.com. And, that isn't an attack on you. I think your intentions are in the right place. But, I would suggest taking a more subtle approach that might help a greater number of people while also having a greater chance of actually seeing the light of day. ac

I disagree with making everyone pass the Pro rating test every time they want to downsize. And, supposing someone's accuracy is never quite good enough to pass that test. Should they stay on a 290 forever? Are you willing to bear responsibility for what happens to them when they back up into a fence in high winds? I doubt it. That is an individual's personal decision... it's a grown-up decision... we make the choices, we live it. I'm not talking about Darwinism. I'm talking about making the best choices we can with the information we have. Keeping someone on a super-huge canopy for life won't work. Can you imagine how this would go? Here's how. Someone wants to downsize from their 290 to a 270. Or, perhaps they can skip one and go to a 250 (would *that* be allowed?). In any case, where does this person get a canopy they can jump ten times? Who is going to hook up the smaller one, then the bigger one, then the smaller one again, in between declared "accuracy jumps" and fun jumps. What about the weekend jumper that makes 2-3 jumps per week? Worse, where do they get the canopy from? Perris, sure, no problem. Most DZs don't have such an intricate rental program. Worse yet, where do they get each container for each main they use? Even worse than that, now jumpers are jumping gear that doesn't fit them properly... especially at smaller DZs. This plan has catastrophe written all over it. And, even *still* worse yet, jumpers are still free to drill themselves into the ground. And, they risk doing it while jumping a canopy that they are trying to get signed off on. I know... I did it while under an appropriate wingloading... just trying to land for accuracy. At least that was my decision... but it would have really sucked if I did it because someone else was "making me" do it. Enforcment is another issue. How do you know how much my weight has changed? Will there be an annual "weighing in?" How do you know I haven't silently downsized without your knowledge? The fact is, you won't know. In an already difficult industry, you want DZO's to start kicking people off the DZ, when they don't represent a danger but don't happen to pass your arbitrary test? No way. It won't happen. And, did you see the results for the last poll regarding wingloading? I'm sure you did. Only 34% supported it. I've asked a number of skydivers about this... and none of them supported a wingloading BSR, period. And you want to make it worse by applying this arbitrary test that most people won't pass under their current canopy? The support will drop from 34% to about 10%. And all I can say is, good luck. Because, luck is the only thing you will have going for you in trying to pass the BSR. You're taking a very well thought out plan by Hook and diluting it into something that almost no one will support. That diminishes the possibility of passing it in any form. If you think I am wrong, ask around. Start another poll. I know that your heart is in the right place. You are trying to keep people off of the small canopies that injure and kill. But I submit that you are going about it the wrong way. Just my thoughts. ac

As I said in my post, accuracy is important. But you are kidding yourself if you think even half the people you know could pass the Pro rating test. The Pro rating is difficult to get... which is why they require 500 jumps and which is why not too many people have it. You want to reduce injuries? Go ahead and implement a test that was designed for fairly experienced skydivers, and make beginner skydivers take it. Watch how many people you prevent from skydiving (or how many people quit in disgust). The fact is, most people out there *are* safe at current wingloadings. I'm supporting the idea of education and even the BSR, but don't push it. You will see little to no support for making people pass the Pro rating test in order to downsize. Nine passes and one fail, and they have to start all over again?? Number one, I guarantee you it will never happen. And number two, if it happens, have fun out at your dz, all by your lonesome. ac

I disagree about the Pro rating test. The pro rating is appropriate for being allowed to perform a demo, because the landing area could be quite small. So, good accuracy counts here. For downsizing a canopy, well, accuracy has its place, but it misses the bigger issue of people performing low turns. The Pro test would allow anyone to pass with accuracy skills... but the fact is, many people won't pass it with a large canopy... let alone a small one. Does that make them not ready for a smaller canopy? No, it means they need canopy accuracy training. Again, accuracy has its place. I'm not discounting that. But we need something that will help people learn about canopy traffic, intentional and unintentional low turns, flat turns, and PLFs if all else goes wrong. Accuracy doesn't provide that, and I don't think you'll find a lot of support for a test of that nature. Just my thoughts. ac

When we last talked about this back in June, I wondered if anyone would ever do anything besides gripe on here that we "need a wingloading BSR." Hook has taken it to a good level. And, here is why. First, he has a concrete plan. And second, that plan addresses concerns beyond simply increasing wing size. A square parachute is a wing. Dip that wing, and you will hit the ground quite hard. I don't care how much wing you have. We are reminded of this every time someone with a large parachute or someone with plenty of jumps gets hurt or dies on landing. Injuries and deaths during landing result primarily from one of two problems... either too little wing, or not enough education (and yes, sometimes plenty of both). As a reminder, I was flying about a 1.1 wingloading (Spectre 150) at around 140 jumps when I turned low and drilled myself into the ground. Just the wingloading BSR would not have prevented this, because I would have qualified at 100 jumps to have this wingloading. Mostly out of luck (and yes, probably also because I did not have a smaller canopy), I did not break anything (working on getting the video!). I was not showing off, and I was not trying to swoop. I was trying to land in a particular spot, and turned low... not realizing I did not have enough altitude to do it. I had 139 perfect or near-perfect landings prior to that. I'm shocked that I did this, since I am a pretty conservative skydiver. While I obviously received *some* canopy training and knew about low turns beforehand, I did not know how low was "too low." The part I like about Hook's proposal is the Canopy Instructor part... the education... the dedicated canopy training. So, even if we don't agree on the root cause of the accidents, this fix will apply to both. And obviously, having an appropriate wingloading at the same time will certainly not hurt... and can only help. If I am asked to vote on this wingloading BSR, I'll give it my thumbs up. I hope you take it beyond this forum. ac (still living in America, where I can post *whatever* I want to. ain't it cool?)

I frequently open at other altitudes. But, DB's request was a formula where he could just enter exit alti. Adding deployment alti would be easy. And jumping from zero... not so much fun. I added the condition to prevent the negative numbers resulting from having a zero or null response to exit altitude. Otherwise, accumulated freefall time would have numbers subtracted from it on jumps that you had not yet entered. Capiche? Still trying to figure out a way to have it properly calculate time. But, I have to get to work. And, there isn't anything fun about not working, either. ac

Well, PilotDave beat me.... but I was close. Mine ought to work, including taking values of zero into account. It also doesn't calculate freefall into minutes and seconds (just seconds), but hey, it is 5:30am. ac

No Problemo (you may have to register... but it is free.) (edited to add) www.nytimes.com/2003/10/04/national/04BOOK.html Even hispanicbusiness.com, who obviously does not endorse Arnold, agreed. Also relevant

Proof that even with all the dirty politics in the world, good people can still be elected. I hope Arnold is as successful as I believe he will be. ac

Bill, Quade... now do you see the issue with jumping the gun? This article directly refutes the article that quade posted. I'm not saying there aren't other issues, but by jumping the gun, we allow people to be misjudged by comments that they did not make. I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons why you might not like him... but as I said, this article directly refutes some of the "evidence" that Bill noted. Nevermind the fact that most people will never read, nor be aware of THIS article. Notable quotes from the article.... ___________________________________ N.Y. Times Retracts Arnold Hitler Bombshell The New York Times issued a de facto retraction on Saturday after misreporting two days earlier that Arnold Schwarzenegger once said he admired Adolf Hitler for what he did with his power. But an actual transcript of outtakes from Schwarzenegger's 1975 bodybuilding classic, "Pumping Iron," shows that what the actor actually said was exactly the opposite: "I didn't admire [Hitler] for what he did with it." Butler couldn't explain how he made the mistake, telling the Times, "I am amazed that something like that escaped me." But what's perhaps more amazing is that the Times, ABC News and the rest of the mainstream press ran wih a bogus story they knew could severly damage Schwarzenegger's reputation without verifying the poisonous quote.