darkwing

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Everything posted by darkwing

  1. darkwing
    If oil was seriously bad for gear, all of us who jumped in the DC-3 and Twin Beech days would be dead. It is really a cosmetic issue I think. Do what was advised above. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  2. darkwing
    Is that Craig Fronk in the front row? A rig over his shoulders, light t-shirt, dark shorts? -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  3. darkwing
    Sometimes whuffo doctors give advice that is waayyy too conservative, because they think you shouldn't skydive anyway, but I see no evidence of that in this advice from your doctor. With your jump numbers I say wait at least as long as your doctor says. Put some money in the bank, buy some toys (altimeter...) Also, the often repeated advice from skydivers is "wait until you can run comfortably..." is pretty good. Assume your next jump will be an out landing under your reserve in someones trash filled back yard... -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  4. darkwing
    Not that you need another vote after the big guns above, but I agree it needs to go to the mfr. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  5. darkwing
    No, it is not really necessary. Just remember how much money it will cost you if you screw something up though. There are a couple of subtle ways you can mess things up. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  6. darkwing
    I haven't thrown up, but I have been thrown up on. I was putting 3 students out of a C-182. The first one was just about to get the "climb out" command when I felt something funny on my legs (I was wearing shorts). I looked back and student #2 behind me was hurling. He was very apologetic, insisting he was fine. I, being a consummate professional, dealt with the first student, who never knew anything was amiss. Then I suggested student #3 be the next one out, to which he vigorously assented. The hurler said he would clean it up, and the pilot said "damn straight." Anyway, all the students did fine. I jumped, although it wasn't my intention to when I got on the plane. The pilot flew the plane down with the door open. The offending student cleaned the plane, and all was well. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  7. darkwing
    When you (or anyones) reserve is due for a repack, ask to watch it being opened, and ask to get guided through the deployment sequence. I think most riggers would be glad to do this for you. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  8. darkwing
    OK, I'll get the expected reply out of the way... "Shut up and jump." Now I'll say that you have a very, very common issue, so many skydivers can relate to it. Don't feel alone. Maybe just go to the dz to hang out and watch, and talk with instructors. Still, I always tell people to jump if they want to, and don't jump if they don't want to. Do not confuse fear with not wanting to though. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  9. darkwing
    However you want. I count 33 for me. Started from my first jump, and count even the years I didn't jump, because my heart was still there. But for the details, see the graph on my webpage. Link below. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  10. darkwing
    I bet your helmet looks like crap with that sweet rig and jumpsuit. (Inside joke) -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  11. darkwing
    So, did the tracker see you? I assume/hope so. Nice photo. I'm sure the video guy liked it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  12. darkwing
    I know what you are saying, and I feel your pain. There is no person alive who has not done something stupid sometime. I try very hard to make sure it isn't when I skydive though. In about 35 years in the sport I have seen many people who might be called "stupid magnets" -- otherwise intelligent people who are prone to judgement errors. I learned a lot from them. Often it is related to showboating, which is related to testosterone usually. Often it is just not paying enough attention. So my first priorities are don't showboat, and pay attention. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  13. darkwing
    Very similar to what the French called a Nord Atlas, which was used at the World RW Championships in France in 1979. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  14. darkwing

    HMA

    darkwing replied to parafredo's topic in Gear and Rigging

    do you jump/pack in dirty or sandy conditions? -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  15. darkwing
    I agree with the "worst case" philosophy--the reserve is the right size if you can survive a landing when you are unconscious without too much damage. Generally speaking that means loading no more than, say 1.3, preferably less. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  16. darkwing
    ah heck, all anyone builds these days is big loopy, whacker things. They all look the same. Now a 100-way diamond, breaking into pieces, flying around and redocking, that is some good 100-way. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  17. darkwing
    One issue is the definition of the phrase "highest performance." I illustrate with two extremes... Highest swooping performance, and highest accuracy performance. Neither is "better" than the other in general, just better at what they do. Apples and oranges. Each mfr is free to define "highest performance" in a way that makes their canopy come in first place. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  18. darkwing
    QuoteAircraft with soul? Can you say Tiger Moth!Quote I've jumped a Tiger Moth, but still, my heart goes to a DC-3 as the aircraft with soul. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  19. darkwing
    I have evaluated many entrance essays, for both undergraduate and graduate students. I think your topic would be excellent. Just don't dot your "i's" with a smily face (yes, I have seen that). -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  20. darkwing
    All this talk of "I was taught to do it this way..." bothers me a great deal. It is often said in threads here. There really is only one way you should consider doing it, the way the manufacturer says. Beyond that, it is certainly OK to ask for reasons they say to do it that way, and what can go wrong if you don't. I recommend against being a test pilot at your experience level. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  21. darkwing
    It is a bit of an oversimplification, and is probably more related to wing geometry (i.e. how ellipitical is it?) and loading. There are many, many factors though. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  22. darkwing
    Given the inevitable size variations in both canopies and containers with the nominal same size, I recommend amending the answer above to "maybe." -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  23. darkwing
    I wonder if they will service the rig I bought from them im 1973? -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  24. darkwing
    The advice I give people is conservative-- If you ask the question, then it is time to change it. -- Jeff My Skydiving History
  25. darkwing
    This photo has one of my teammates (in the mostly white jumpsuit) wearing a Handbury rig at the world cup in South Africa in 1976. -- Jeff My Skydiving History