Quincy

Can't be there Sunday ... come back on Monday...!!!... The wind tunnel was under construction the last time I was there. Will have to check it out. Wish my trip allowed for Saturday and Sunday, but it's gotta be Sunday and Monday. Outside the weekend, probably gonna have most people at work ... but then ... jumping on Monday is when you're going to find out who the really dedicated jumpers are. Quincy...

Thx for the info. Really looking forward to the trip. Was hoping to meet some of the DZ.com'ers I see on here every day. Quincy...

Was over at both Elsinore and Perris 2 1/2 years ago, and headed back again. Got a meeting Thursday thru Saturday, and too close not to extend the trip. Will be there on Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th. Anything going on for a visitor on those days? Quincy...

Flare...

Go to Google and download Picasa2 for free. A great, simple program. Find your picture and then use the "Export" button to resize it. Quincy

Had looked pretty seriously at it's predecessor the T1, but, opted for the new Sony DSC-P200. Sony DSC-P200 Have been VERY glad for a number of reasons. 1. The P200 has a viewfinder, the T7 does not. It doesn't matter what anyone says, sooner or later you're gonna end up with the sun at your back and you won't be able to see squat on the screen, I don't care how big it is. A viewfinder has been a shot saver on more than one occasion...!!!... 2. The P200 is 7.2 Megapixels vs the T7's 5.1. 3. P200 is $100 cheaper. With the savings I bought the four year extended replacement warranty and a case. Not a bad idea in this sport which can be tough on equipment. 4. While I can't verify this, even though both have Zeiss lenes, was told the P200's glass was better. As for the case, I got a LowePro digital camera case with the stitched on belt loop instead of the velcro type. It fits perfectly on a chest strap where it has made quite a few rides. Great for pics in the plane on the way to altitude. Hope this helps. Quincy

Went to L & B's website to find something and see they have a totally new array of items coming out. Prices not even listed yet for the new stuff, however, they say they've reduced the price of both Pro-Track and Pro-Dytter. Some pretty amazing instruments from the looks of it. Designs look great too. http://www.l-and-b.dk/ Quincy

Try this one ... www.lyricscafe.com Nothing to download ... extremely easy to search ... huge database. Quincy

To save as a .jpg in XP, the easiest way I've found is right click on the picture and select "Copy." The go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Paint. When 'Paint' opens, at the top click Edit>Paste, then go to File>Save As. In this window, you now have the ability to save as any of about 8 different types, although '24-bit Bitmap' is the default. Quincy

Age 49 Sex M Avg 0.2002

Apparently having too much fun to toss the drogue...

Cani Lands Smallest Parachute (05/12/04) Brazilian jumper Luigi Cani reportedly landed an Icarus VX 39 ... Cani and Icarus Canopies believe this is the smallest parachute jumped and landed to date. 39 sq ft ... Is that a parachute, or, a slider with a top skin...???...

Don't bet on it. I just incresded my coverage, and had my premium cut, with the insurance company knowing about skydiving. They'll ask a lot more questions, which you should certainly expect, but don't assume that just because you jump, you'll get no coverage or unaffordable coverage. When the agent submitted the preliminary application for a verbal quote, the initial response from the underwriters was for a pretty good pop in the premium because 1.) skydiving meant you were a higher risk, and 2.) I was increasing the coverage. He suggested that we actually submit the formal application and see what happened. If I didn't like the final quote, no obligation. The company actually wrote the policy at a better rate than I ever expected. Point is, don't assume you can't get coverage. Give it a shot. Quincy

You know...this may be the case and a real hoot at that... if it had been a S/L jump from 3,500 feet.

Be prepared to give them serial numbers. If you bought it thru a dealer, a bill of sale to give some 'verification' of the value/cost. Nationwide was very easy to work with. Quincy

In my neck, C6 - C7 fused with a plate and 4 screws. Waited six months after it was done to jump again. Since then, 200 jumps and so far, so good.

Had one...chopped one. Had it on jump #13. The canopy was flying straight with the line over not quite half way in on the right. At the time, being new and pulling high, I tried to clear it. Big mistake...!!!... It got very ugly VERY VERY quickly, going into a severe spin. Anyone that has had a spinning mal can tell you how fast it can happen. It was spinning so fast when I chopped, the reserve risers came across the front and up under my chin. You really don't want to have this happen. Sure, others will tell you their success stories. That's fine. As a newbie, line over = immediate chop. If, if I ever have another one, and for whatever reason found myself too low to chop, I would cut the offending line before attempting to flare for landing. Quincy

The answer is really very simple...buy it. I've read this thread, and countless others, and too many people say they don't need one, because THEY are careful, and THEY have all the skills necessary to survive. Quite simply total BS...!!!... Case in point. I was front float of three on the outside of an Otter with two inside to do a 5-way, with a sixth flying video. Nice exit for us on the outside. Pull the fourth in for a 4 way. All of a sudden, I get pile driven buy someone from above and behind me. The guy to my left, who didn't get hit, said he could feel the smash as I fell out of formation. He said he was sure he was going to have to dive on me and toss me because I should have been unconscious from the hit. I did gray out for a bit. Cleared enough to track out and toss, but, lined up on the wrong end of the airport to land. Couldn't figure out why all the other canopies were landing in the wrong place. The point should be clear, you can be doing everything EXACTLY correctly, but, there IS someone else in the air who may not, and YOU could be the recipient of their mistakes. Bottom line, BUY IT...!!!... Quincy C-32880 Coach

Perfect situations for the use of the flat turn. Yes you did...!!!... More should have the same kind...

It's amazing how many people don't know about, or, how to perform a 'flat turn.' For everyone who stays in this sport, at some point in time, it can be a bone/life saving technique. Performance Designs has a great article covering low turns and flat turns on their web site. http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/98_low.pdf If nothing else, you should go to their Home page, select 'Support' then 'Education.' They have a number of other great articles offered there as well. The next time you're in the air, practice them. Learn how they feel. Sooner or later, you'll be in another situation where you're low and want/need to turn. Doing it instinctively will quite literally save your day. Quincy C-32880 Coach

Better yet, since it's his life (albeit for not much longer) tell him you'll be glad to ship it right after he sends you the write up for how he wants his Darwin Awards listing to read.

Nah...A slider with a top skin... Quincy...

What is/has been your experience with the Canon Optura 200MC... Specific points would be appreciated as in what's good...and what's not... Thx... Quincy...

i was thinking it might have been to do with the different focal length. In a simple definition, flare is caused by the sun shining directly into the lens. The number of lens elements, multicoatings, quality, etc. can have an impact as well, but, buttom line, if the sun is in direct line of the lens, you can get flare. The 'flare' you see in a picture is a reflection of the iris on the various lens elements. Hope this helps. Quincy

Airhead sez... I've missed more weekends than I can count because it was my weekend with my sons. That's the only way it's gonna be. I'm not going to "pass" on them for anything...PERIOD...!!!... End of discussion...!!!... I have absolutely NO REGRETS for this commitment.