diverdriver

The reason the LET 410 does not fly in the US is becuase no one has bothered to get it certified to fly in the US. And to do that it would cost $$. A couple of years ago an effort was made to get an Israeli aircraft certified for flying in the US. Was going to cost big $$ to do. I believe the effort has now been shelved. A lot of conformity tests have to be done to prove it complies with US regulation. Not that it doesn't now, it just has to be proven and to do that costs big $$. And how many are actually going to be sold in the US? A few? Not much reason to do it. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

Yep, was gonna say the same thing. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

No, Terry was not fired. He left. That much I DO know.

Oh man, how could I have left that out? Mental block? Yah, I was there for that one too. So, I would say that having two canopy collisions resulting in 3 deaths in almost the exact same spot -would- be something that is common and should be preventable. And how long have we all preached Russian radar? Look left, look right, look up, look down, repeat? LONG before those fatalities happened. I have noticed a proliferation of canopy collisions under good canopies though. The past few years since Deb and Steve died have seen some pretty preventable collisions happen. All we can continue to do is preach to keep the head on a swivel and don't try to land close where everyone else is landing. Always assume your friends are trying to kill you. They just might be without knowing it. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

I'm inclined to let it go about Terry. You know the paper wanted to stir it up again and of course it's easy to find old quotes from Terry. Would he really need to be involved in writing a new article? No. Old posts and old Tribune articles would be easy to get stuff from. Anyhow, on one hand, they say safety is a concern for students. Yet, no tandem student has died there in all of those deaths. Not saying it coudn't happen. But up till now there hasn't been one. What has happened has been 2 deaths during world record attempts. One death from dropping a toggle during a carving turn to landing. One death from a stunt done too low with no outs (flipping upside down in harness to handstand in the risers becoming entangled and dieing from the spiralling impact). One death from performing EPs too low to make a difference. One death from someone definitely hung over from drug use and performing EPs at about 200 feet. One death from a jumpper who was told REPEATEDLY not to swoop the pond when they thought he was sober and he went and tried it while high on marijuana. One static line student who became entangled on his first jump from a poor exit and hanging on to the pilot chute after being instructed that day on how to get out of a horseshoe mal if it occured (this one was a damn tragedy and I will never forget the expression on this kids face as he hung from the 182 strut (and also, SDC does not do static line jumps anymore with regular students)). One fatality jumper went with a newer jumper for coaching and collided with his knee. The installed Cypres was not turned on before jumping. Other than geographical location I do not see how the operation is at fault for the deaths. Believe me I have lane awake at night thinking about all this. If I thought there was something inherently wrong with how the DZ was run I would leave. But that is all the past now. It can't be changed. So, moving on we can only look to how the operation is run now and support Missy and Rook to make good decisions about safety. That is what I will endeavour to do. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

Most of us do try to get along with the fabric of the town. Many live in the community. I think most town's people have no idea about what goes on out there and could really care less. Not one town's person has come out (that I know of) and expressed a problem with the fatalities. Now, I'VE expressed a problem with the fatalities because I've known or dealt with all of them since 1997. Believe me I'd love to be able to point to one cause as to why all of them happened. I'd love to see them back. I didn't read the whole thing that Andyman posted as some seemed to be cut off so I won't say much of anything further until I've read it. But I did find how they used the phrase "compound" in the very first sentence of the article. I actually laugh when I see that now. There are no walls. No one is kept in or out. Kinda hard to have a "compound" without walls eh?

You know what? It's attitudes like yours that made it hard for me to get paid what I should be paid while flying jumpers. Suggesting to other pilots to fly for free just because others are doing it doesn't make it right. How much flying time do you have? You trying to make a career out of flying? No? Then maybe you should let those of us IN the industry make the call as to what proper compensation is. And high strung? Man, maybe my post was a bit tongue in cheek and JUST A JOKE TOO. Yes, it's an over exaggerated reaction to the topic. Man, why don't YOU take the chill pill and get a sense of humor.

Dude, I've been homeless living in a tent (not a trailer) on the DZ packing parachutes for a living. I think I know what struggle is. And not ONCE did I fly for free. Tougher today? I came out of school in 1992. Eastern, Braniff, Pan Am had all gone under. How many airlines have folded recently? Please. I think I know a thing or two about this friggin industry. You don't know a thing about me though. edited cuz I can't spall "two" correctly tonight. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

Fly for free. Just go ahead. Fly for free. Then I will hunt you down and will [said through clinched teeth]CUT YOU!!! Have a nice day. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

When you study ACTUAL crashes and understand the impact forces involved an airliner hitting at over 250 knots into a reinforced HARD building you aren't going to have any piece bigger than a fist left. The "G" forces can exceed 300 Gs! Come on people. Stop promoting this shit. Why do we have to look at Snopes every time AFTER we pass on this drivel? Anyone wanna dig up the pics of that dude standing at the top of WTC 1 just as the plane was about to hit? That'd be a hoot!

I know what you are saying. USPA can not force the FAA to violate anyone. True. But, as Tom pointed out in the following post the BOD can take action against a Group Member/Member when they know of FAR violations and they can warn the general membership about their lack of caring for the regulations set forth. When a DZ advertises to the public they are saying "come trust us". There is a duty (even though we sign a waiver saying we won't sue) by the DZ to measure up. The FARs were written in blood. Every rule there was the result of someone dieing. When pilots get their medical done they have to check a box at the bottom of the form that says the government can check our automobile driving record for violations of DUI/DWI. Why? What does a driving record have to do with it? Basicly, it means can you follow the law of the land when operating machinery around the public? It goes to judgement or lack there of. So, if they know you are busting some FARs the FAA might come in and say "So what else are you violating and have no regard for safety?" Safety is an attitude really. We exist in an inherently dangerous environment. We need to show that we've thought ahead about the consequences of our actions to make sure we have a positive outcome. Zooming by a bridge with kids standing on it while wearing an illegal parachute rig jumping from a plane attempting to fly through guy wires which does create a hazard to persons and property on the ground is a MAJOR lack of judgement on part of all the parties involved. And now I've heard the AF cadet who was flying that load has lost the right to be a pilot in the AF over this accident. Such a shame and what a waist. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

29? But she's ...........oooooOOOOHHHHHH!! I gotcha.

Oh no, I don't think you're dense. I've posted this particular case on several threads like this. We had a jumper (and I know this has happened to more than one jumper) they had a PC in tow and cutaway first. The reserve deploying loosened the rig and the main left the rig. But during deployment of the reserve you are coming straight down pretty much and now you have two flopping risers right by your deploying reserve. In this case the risers of the main grabbed the slider as it came down. The main came out of the bag and began to drag on the reserve. It drew the slider up the reserve partially collapsing it. The jumper was seriously injured and most feel he was lucky to live through it. Had the main deployed still attached then it would have been a two out situation which CAN be controlled mostly and much better than a main reserve entanglement. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

How about FARs!!!!???? I know Phree..not bagging on you. But come on BOD! Call a spade a spade! Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

Not always. Sometimes it can entangle with the reserve and collapse it. This has killed more than one jumper. I'd rather deal with two out than deal with an entanglement I can't reach or control. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

Boy, make the guy a moderator and he doesn't even post on his own acceptance thread for like 4 hours.....and counting. I think we are all safe to continue post whoring. mwaahhahahahhahaha

Damn it people! Stop swearing! It's "Nylon American!" Sheeeeesh.....using the "R" word like no one cares.

When will we see this on the Perris Valley jump line? LOL!!!! j/k guys.

What? You've never seen people exiting a trailer before? Wonder what kind of altitude we are going to get? Gives a new meaning to the phrase "Door!" when it's from a trailer.

whoooo huuhhhhh? what's going on here?

Betsy, my buddy. You are truly a unique and wonderful person. Happy Birthday to you and I wish you many, many more. There are few people I know that appreciate each and every day they have like you. May you get all that you want and deserve. Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125

ROFLMAO!!!! Nice!

7.92.......7.92.....7.92 translated: daaaaadumm.....daaaaadum.....bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bahdabummm!!!!

SDC = Skydive City? Not Skydive Chicago? Just wondering.

damnit....LOL!!!