diverdriver

Oh, skycat, come on up to Chicago and we can do a full "spread". I got a good camera with a big lens. Bahahahahahahaaaa, I'm sorry. I couldn't resist that one. LOL......ohhhhh.....I kill me.....heeewwwww. Chris

Fellow skydivers, Team Funnel is a loose organization of skydivers dedicated to the belief that no one should have to jump alone. We specialize in jumping with low-timers -- an informal mentoring program with an emphasis on safety -- but go out of our way to make visitors feel at home as well. With an international membership spanning continents, whether visiting another drop zone or jumping at the DZ we call home, it is our mission to spread the joy and camaraderie that is skydiving. In the Fall of 2001, we lost three members to tragic accidents. In honor of these members, and in honor of all passed skydivers, Team Funnel is holding the first annual Team Funnel Memorial Boogie on Saturday, May 25, 2002, at Skydive Chicago, in Ottawa, Illinois. To honor our friends, we will be raising funds to make a child's wish come true, through the Make-A-Wish foundation. We will also be honoring them by enjoying the sport they loved -- skydiving. We will be raising funds through three activities: First, we will raffle off a boat load of items. We have already raised over $2000 worth of skydiving related products and services, and looking for more donations all the time. Items to be raffled come from manufacturers such as Sun Path, Relative Workshop, Mirage, Sky Systems, Performance Design, Flite Suit, BoneHead, Altimaster, Zute Suits, Velocity Sports Equipment, SkyVenture, and more. And from individuals, like Riggers donating free repacks, video jumps, coach dives, and massages. Raffle tickets will be $5.00 each, or a block of 5 for $20.00. The second event will be a silent auction. We already have a couple of interesting items that will be up for bid, and will be adding more. Entry into the auction will be $10.00 Finally, we are planning a cookout on Saturday evening, on the dock by the pond. This will be $10.00 per person, with kids 8 and under getting in for $5.00. All proceeds from this event will go to the Make-A-Wish foundation. Fund raising will not be the only fun to be had. There will be load organizing all weekend by Team Funnel members and friends. Belly flying, Freeflying, you name it, we're probably doing it. Lots of TF number dives (now's your chance to earn a number!). And to cap it all, a TF record attempt! With a reported 3 otters available, we should be able to make a great Big Way!!! Please show your support. Attend the event or purchase raffle tickets. You don't have to be present to win the raffle prizes. For more information about the event, or about Team Funnel, please visit our website www.TeamFunnel.com and follow the link to TF Memorial Boogie, or email TequilaBill@TeamFunnel.com. To purchase raffle tickets, contact any TF member, or again, contact TequilaBill@TeamFunnel.com. Thank you in advance, William A. Homer aka TequilaBill TF#1 Posted by Chris Schindler aka DiverDriver TF#50

True, I know this. But, what I'm worried about it snagging, and is what happened to my friend and others, is it grabbing the slider on the way out and then collapsing the canopy. Pulling the cutaway and the reserve handle close to the same time won't help, IMO, because the main will only come out (if able) when the reserve leaves. So, I don't see how ya can time it to only have the reserve exposed to the risers when it's still in the freebag. Chris

Ok, and just to add: With two canopies out I could even decide to land both canopies. This would certainly be determined during the situation. But Bill, I will argue this about better riser covers: How is that to help you? If you cutaway and this loosens the rig so that the main then continues its' deployment then the covers would open anyway and the risers would be free to leave and possibly snag the reserve. Again, I think that if the two canopies are out and still attached then you have the option of using an arm to guard the risers as they are cutaway or not cutaway them at all. My feeling is that it is a much more controlled situation with not cutting away in this situation. But, to be true, people should make this decision before they go up because a pilot chute in tow is a high speed malfunction and you don't need to be deciding how you'll handle it in the moment. You would agree with that right? Chris

Many reasons that this could be. Money, Politics, Injury, Death. Seeing someone die from skydiving (not reading about it) can cause people to rethink this sport and their participation. Then again, I have several friends who did not get out of the sport but moved away for their jobs. Then they quit jumping because they didn't seem to fit in or feel the vibe of a new DZ. The socialization aspect of this sport is more powerful than many give credit. But there can be many, many reasons why you don't see the same people in the sport as when you started. Chris

Oh boy, here we go on pilot chute in tow debate. I disagree with the cutaway on a pilot chute in tow. I believe, and my friend Frank will attest too, that cutting away will only release the risers which can tangle with the reserve as it deploys. It is easier to deal with two canopies out than an entanglement with your cuttaway main and the reserve. Remember, the reserve risers have to pass the main risers during reserve deployment. If the main deployment sequence has stopped then there is no tension on the main risers. My friend Frank cutaway his main on a pilot chute in tow and the risers caught the reserve slider, and began drawing it up the lines. It collapsed the canopy and he got busted up really bad but lived. I would feel more comfortable dealing with two canopies out and releasing one in the fashion that I want to. Not a random chance that the risers would snag on something while the reserve was in its' deployment sequence. Chris Schindler D-19012 ATP/CFII www.DiverDriver.com

Every three years, you stop, look around, and if you are still in the sport there is no one else that you started with. Not always, but most of the time this is true. Been true for me. Chris

I think it's called synergy. Where the sum of the parts is greater than the individual pieces. Did I say that right? We get a lot more because of this place. Thanks Sangiro. Chris Schindler

I agree with the "An accident is the result of links in a chain of events. Break any one link and the accident would not have happened." Yes, things led up to the AAD firing at proper altitude. And his tumbling is what induced the horseshoe malfunction. But the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up when people say that the extra wide bridle on the reserve is going to pull the stows if the pilot chute doesn't. How do I feel about the Catapult on the Reflex? I own one. Since 1997. Chris

Clay, you going into DZ.com rehab? It's ok. Admitting that you have a problem is the first step in the road to recovery. Chris

A friend of mine went in because of that theory. Locking stows never popped and he had a horseshoe mal with his reserve pilot chute. Don't count on that "extra-wide bridle" being able to have enough drag to pull the locking stow. Chris

Very good point. Things people need to think about when making these decisions. Chris

Yes, and that's my point. I think the Velocity is in effect of its' design already doing that. I think there's a point of diminishing returns with this stuff. But, in order to get a Tiny35 to fly right you just might have to do all that stuff. But after studying history of aircraft design I think we might be at the point where something else is going to have to come along to get that extra performance. But, these guys keep tweeking and testing new stuff so who knows what the limits are. I'll just take a long look at whether it's worth it or not after the hype dies down on any new "gotta have it" promo. Aircraft design has gone light years past what the human body is capable of withstanding. I think canopies will reach that point too. When? Dunno. But, we are the weakest link in all this. What can we handle? I'm assuming here that these new design features are for making these canopies smaller and smaller. And of course, that puts me out of the running for owning one. I don't jump enough to go smaller than my 107. But, like the acrobatic aircraft circuit is, some people are current and skilled enough to benefit from this. We'll see. Chris

What's the real benefit? Look at the nose of a Velocity by PD. The nose is so closed off already that it is in effect "airlocked". The air can't get out very easily because of the very tiny openings at the front. Just my opinion. And I'm not an expert. Well....on canopies. Chris

Absolutely my reserve. It's bigger than my main and less apt to spin when deployed unstable. I want things to slow WAY down if I have a problem. That's why I jump a reserve that is much bigger than my main. (Stilleto 107/Tempo 150) I've ridden the Tempo twice and really would like it more than the 107 with a broken leg. My .02 Chris

It's dangerous to run with scissors because we never LEARN to run with scissors! That is all. Chris

Here's a reason you don't chop and it's valid: You are dazed from a hard opening. Look, to get broken lines you just might have had a hard opening. In that hard opening you might be dazed to the point that you aren't thinking clearly. Then when you do come to you are over other canopies and can't cut away. Then you find yourself too low when clear to perform a cutaway. You're not thinking straight still and so you do a flare because that's your muscle memory. Just be glad this jumper is ok. And yes, check your lines after opening. But to criticize this jumper or make a generalization that anyone not using their reserve is dumb or shouldn't be jumping is not correct. Study flight physiology and psychology and people don't always act or respond in the best fashion. We are imperfect beings. Chris Schindler D-19012 ATP/CFII www.DiverDriver.com

http://www.iit.edu/~kallend/skydive/ Read ALL of the sections. It's a whole program and very informative. Go to the "Powerpoint Presentation on Seperation." Chris Schindler ATP/CFII D-19012 www.DiverDriver.com

When an engine hits something hard while under power the blades will bend forward. If there is low/no power then they will bend aft. The only thing this proves is where the power was on that engine at time of impact. You need much more info to prove how it got there. Again, I don't want to get into a lot of speculation. What I do want to find is a website that has accident reports for Israeli aircraft. Don't know if they do it like the NTSB here in the States. Anyone? Anyone? Chris

Now Marc. Don't be jumping to conclusions yet. Let's all be thankful that no one was killed and that we now have the luxury of studying the wreck realitively intact. From the pictures I can see the left prop and the right prop are bent aft. No power on either engine at touchdown. We'll see. Many things can fit this scenario other than running out of gas. I can list them but I don't want those words being quoted out of context as truth as to what happened. Another thing I want to point out is that the Lexan door is bent out. Did they have trouble getting out? Did it pop out during the impact? That's why I like Twin otters. There is another door in the back directly across from the main door. Some even have emergency hatches along the main body. Omri, was there trouble getting out after you came to a stop? Chris Schindler ATP/CFII D-19012 www.DiverDriver.com

Whoooooaa!!! I missed what!!!???? I suport the boobies! As long as I have a face, they have a place to rest.

I'll introduce you guys next time. Chris

Here ya go John. I'll make it linkable. http://www.iit.edu/~kallend/ Chris

Dude, I can't believe you stayed out there. I saw the tent but didn't believe anyone was out there! Didn't you hear the announcement Saturday that arrangements would be made for anyone staying that hadn't planned on it? Man that weather was nasty Saturday. Nice to party in a warm, cozy, comfy couched, 12 foot video screen playin', full bar serving, free food serving VIP Lounge. All while watching the icicles form at a slant because of the wind blowing outside. Sweet. Nice seeing you all out there. Oh, and I got to wring out Kirk's new wireless internet access there. He hung two knew antenaes inside the hangar for good coverage inside the building! Even on an ISDN the speed is greater than dial up and can't wait for the T1. Kirk said the repeater would be going up on the pavillion this week so next weekend the campground should have good coverage. Right now it's a bit sporadic with just the two antenaes on top of the hangar. Very nice improvements. Let's me pull up weather from wherever I'm standing in the building on my laptop. Even could go online to look at the vendors websites while I was standing in front of their booth. Really liked John Kallend's presentation on freefall drift. Very informative and graphical. All that while many of the regulars were out in the hangar making margaritas and raising money for Jump For the Cause. Thanks Jenny Martin of Zute Suit. Chris

I also want to thank Andy for this. Met him over the weekend. Nice chatting with yah. Glad you got to speak to Roger. I knew he would be interested in talking with you. And not to tell you that you were wrong, but to hear your concerns. And thanks again for doing this. Chris