jeremyneas

Hey, I can't find them to order on PD's website. Anyone got a price, or do i have to use that damn phone again!?! Jeremy

I heard ol boy that owns all the CASA's in America just filed Chapter 11. Can anyone expand? Is this the end of the cool (albeit crappy maintanencewise) tailgater? Are we left with man your door Skyvans, expensive C-130's and C-24's? Jeremy

-------------------------------------------------- What do you mean by it? Atair has been back! Before they would market canopies under different labels like Winchester technology and others now it's all Atair. At any rate, the Viper, IMHO, is one of the best flying canopies ever designed. -------------------------------------------------------- I apologize, I assumed that anyone responding would have had first dibs on the canopy and would have already known the history of the company (i.e. test pilots, loyal canopy buyers). I was refering to the ads in Parachutist. Strong before, weak, now strong again. Being back with a new product. The Viper is a good canopy, I don't think it was mentioned otherwise, but I was hoping for input on the Onyx, not the Viper. Jeremy Neas

April 12th and 13th. Balloon list is a mile long but how many actually show up? Be there by 6am, 2 loads of 9 each day. Helicopter flying the rest of each day $40 a seat. http://www.mile-hi-skydiving.com Longmont CO Jeremy Neas

Saw the ad in Parachutist this month, does anyone know anything about it? Anyone flown it? How did they keep the pack volume down (they clain it's 30% less than standard cross brased canopies) ? When confirmed rumors that the Cobolt was the great grandson of the Viper flew, it seemed that Atair disappeared for awhile, now they are back. Which die hard fans will be first to fly there new product? Thanks for any input from people who have experience with or under this new wing (I like to stay informed), Jeremy Neas

Ok, as embarrasing as this is, i am a domesticated male, had to take care of myself for 8 years while in the military, now with family. Your friend did good, EXCEPT i'll bet major mula after washing he hung it too wet. If it comes out of the washer almost dry, hang it, if it's too sloppy wet, it's ok to throw it in the dryer for 20 mins at a time on LOW heat, or NO heat just to get the sloppy out of it, then hang it. If there is major nylon or any silver/chrome, 5 mins at a time and keep an eye on it. Jeremy Neas

I agree that sloppy packing will create most of the opening errors on a SET. But they are all different animals. We used to have twelve Strong rigs, six of which i would say flew well, the other six flew like crap if you didn't have them keyed in right. Point being; if i only flew the six that were nice, i probably would only have good things to say about the canopy. One thing I also didn't mention was that I didn't like the fact that all eight steering lines were attached to the toggles (as opposed to PD and Icarus' seperate landing toggles) Tends to wear out your arms by the end of a busy day. But, I will concur that they are (but slowly phasing out) the workhorse of the industry. If Strong Ent. would just admit that other manufacturers have great ideas and integrate some to their system, their tandem system is going to die off like helmetless, cypressless skydivers! Jeremy Neas .

Yes, I do recall on Jump #353 August 26, 1998, South Carolina, Had my 3rd cutaway. Derik saved me then. Make sure you collect that bottle of Glen Livitt from me next time your in the Springs. Jeremy Neas

I agree with Hooknswoop, but you may be adimite about it. Make sure she knows all the risks involved with a tandem jump. Just because daddy had 600+ skydives doesn't make it safe. One reason for the waiver is to try and drive home the fact that you are really doing something that could get you hurt, or worse. Kids tend to think that if their parents do something, it won't hurt them becuase their parents are invincible (a tragic realization when they hit their mid-20's that it ain't true). Hence the whole if parents smoke mostlikely thier kids smoke...bla bla bla. Also, make sure your Tandem Master is going into this with his eyes open, don't lie to him, let him make his own decision weather or not he wants to take the many risks that far outweigh your daughter waiting less than a year. Jeremy Neas

Noone yet gave you specifics on why they don't like Strong systems as compared to the other manufacturers. 1) The Main Reserve Ripcord and the alternate (the RSL) are on the same side. So an incompasitated arm would be in trouble. 2) The RSL doesn't have an extra hacky to help with the pull, you need a STRONG grip. 3) The main Ripcord and Instructor's Main ripcord are on the same side, same problem as the reserve. 4) The rig check is a tad more complex, making it easier to miss something in a rush. 5) The legstraps have snap links, instead of a leg straps like a sport rig. These snaps can jam up easily, and must be constantly checked and maintained. If one stays open, you could be opening with one strap, or NONE. 6) The SET canopy, I could write a book. Keep in mind that Strong doesn't allow foriegn chutes in their rigs, you need to use theirs. Icarus, and PD both vacume seal and laser cut their chutes, Strong (I believe) is still stacking and hot knifing them. SO ALL 'SETS' FLY DIFFERENTLY. Each one has a mind of it's own and different flying characteristics. On this note, I was opened on a Sigma 395 and has a line over and CLEARED IT because of it's eliptical shape. 7) Wait till you see the reserve pin system! 8) Openings are not as predictible as all others. Strongs can bleed you on opening, Wear a frap! If you have any more questions feel free to contact me at my email address. If I had my choise and bought a Tandem Rig right now, it would be a Sigma (skyhook included ;) with a Icarus 365 Main, PD reserve. Jeremy Neas Rated on Strong Vector Sigma Eclipse This comment was strictly my opinion, and I know Strong has many variations in many rigs (that all look the same). I could be mistaken, please contact the manufacturer if you have any questions or concerns.

In 1996 the average jump ticket price was $17, and in 2003 we're at $21. That is a 23.5% increase in 8 years of jumping, or 2.9% increase per year. You don't need to be an economics major to realize that DZO's across the country are doing a DAMN GOOD job at keeping well below the national inflation rate. If you have a problem with jump ticket prices, you need to go and talk to your boss about your annual raise. Another option is to acquire some ratings and start collecting from the DZO instead of giving. (or pack one tandem rig at the end of the day) Japan was mentioned, and I lived there for 2 years paying $63 to 12,500 AGL in a POS Caravan with neither a door or seatbelts (winter too). $21 in a Super Otter is a sweet deal in comparison. Next time your car requires drink, take a look at that digital readout that lets you know how much OPEC is raping you for and imagine what your DZO is taking filling up that aircraft. Blues, Jeremy Neas

I like when he faked his broken leg with a fresh chicken bone sticking out. Now that is entertainment at any DZ. Jeremy Neas

"(king air ain't so bad, too)" April we will have a full time Super Otter, and King Air. Mitch is a great instructor, but let him know in advance and have a flexable schedule, he travels alot. Not many rocket scientist tandem examiners out there. Jeremy Neas Instructor, Mile-Hi Skydiving

I've flown the Sigma 395, 375, the SET 400, the Icarus 400, 365, and the EZ 425. First thing your going to notice is that it packs WAY easier into the container. Second the openings are great. They open like a giant Stiletto. Speaking of openings, you won't have the common tension knots of the 425's (the one's that are overdue for a reline anyway). I actually cleared a line over malfunction on one. I attribute that to the more elliptical shape than all other tandem canopies. Third, the toggle pressure is lighter, but the EZ isn't all that bad (remember, i fly SETS also!). You will notice the responsiveness and the quickness of your turns, the sluggish 425 doesn't hold a dime to the turning of the Sigma. Like a Stiletto, you and your passenger have to let up on the turn about 90 degrees from where you want to be headed (usually only when your spinning 360's or 720's). Lastly, Landing them can be hot, but they produce massive lift (even here in Colorado elev. 5000'), and the toggle pressure will let you flare to your knees even on the 12th tandem that day! Probably the best all around canopy for tandems I have flown. If you have any more questions feel free to email me at skydivingtrance@aol.com Jeremy Neas Instructor, Mile Hi Skydiving Center

I am looking to get an event together (RW or Freefly) of Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa members and alumni. Please email me (skydivingtrance@aol.com) your interest and jump stats. Jeremy Neas Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Gamma Alpha Chapter Instructor, Mile-Hi Skydiving Center, CO

I am looking to get an event together (RW or Freefly) of Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa members and alumni. Please email me (skydivingtrance@aol.com) your interest and jump stats. Jeremy Neas Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Gamma Alpha Chapter Instructor, Mile-Hi Skydiving Center, CO

Mile Hi Skydiving is the Closest to any and all ski areas in Colorado. It is also the closest to Denver. We support a full time King Air. Too bad you won't be here in April. April 1st the New Super Otter lights it's engines permanately at Mile-Hi. Jeremy Neas Instructor Mile-Hi Skydiving Center

i have 1133 jumps ~500 of those freefly w/ a 96 Jav unmoded 8 chops 0 problems Jeremy

When I lived in Japan the jumping cost was high ($65 per), so when i did jump i just had to let it all out. One day i was filming a 4 way RW team with a freefly suit on. I've filmed them before, so it was a suprise to me when i got low on them. So i stuck to the center and waited for breakoff. Well they are about as cheap as me so they sucked every last bit of altitude they could out of the jump. They broke off at 2500', i was about 1000' under them. I turned over at 1200' and picked a handle (i really only had one parachute to use at that point) Like an idiot, i threw out the main, luckily it worked. Got canopy at 600' and had a 21 sec canopy flight. Got booted for that, and later for swooping the runway. I've calmed since then!!! Jeremy

I love california, they never seem to lick sphincter in colorado on the radio. Too funny--Jeremy

Yea, Even though the accident wasn't due to poor judgement, just equipment failure, I still promised my family I would upsize. Besides, I need the softer openings for a little while. I'm dead centering a spectre 170 now. Jeremy

After a beautiful "5 broken bones in the pelvis" landing I did under my VX99 (non-fatal incident reports this month). -- 90 days later, I made 2 jumps on friday. Skydivers do bounce back, Jeremy

Jules, your all over the skydiving net, go jump, leave the condom head stuff to me!!! And you better call me soon, I have a great new story for you. chills spills and thrills --Jeremy

actually gents, i have 2 hard helmets, buuuut...i use a frap as a tandem master because my prime concern is a over-zealious student trying to headbutt me. and i need something i can hear with under canopy for that crystal clear 2 way communication. --Jeremy

if anyone has one laying around, It would make a nice present, but I pay cash also. email me Jeremy skydivingtrance@aol.com