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billvon said "massive distraction". That is what it is!!!, even after thousands of jumps. You can't just "set it and forget it" like that infomercial. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

What size, what wing loading on the Swift Plus? Go past a 1.4, 1.5 and they stall radically. Sold mine after I learned the hard way. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Yes, I do think accuracy is important. Two meters, 12.5% of your first 200 jumps is an onerous requirement. I think it is a great goal, but a bad requirement. Land safely first. We've all seen people being sucked into the pea pit trying for that accuracy (be it C or PRO) and do something stupid to get there. Pea pits aren't as common (or as well maintained) as they once were. The PRO requirements are to land; standing up, without running out, within a ten meter diameter circle on ten "declared" jumps. I have no disagreement with that. Great training for demos. I would say that the C accuracy requirement is more stringent than the PRO requirement. I'm just saying that asking for that kind of accuracy (six and one half feet) is asking for people to get hurt trying to make it happen. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I have a former student that has been adament about her 25 jumps within 2 meters for her C. She's done it. Good for her, really. I think 1 out of 8 jumps within 2 meters is a ridiculus requirement at 200 jumps. So do the STA's and other I's. It is just ignored in the log book checks. So are the night jumps. I enjoy them, many people hate them and don't wnat to do another after the first. I understand the arguements both ways. I do not agree with USPAs accuracy #'s for C or the night jumps for D. I keep an accurate logbook (now daily, not by jump), I bet most with over 1000 don't. Be proud of your record, but, don't expect everyone else to live up to your standards. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Hey Chuck, you are 100% right on this one. Everything you pointed out is against all tandem rules. I can't believe the manufacturers and Area Director/USPA haven't said or done something yet. Wait, they had to consult thier lawyers first. If Chuck ever got kicked off of a DZ it was like being kicked out of a titty bar. They were just annoyed and didn't want to see you (and your money) until the next day. Ah, the good old days Chuck. Blues. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I don't know where you're going for your rating. Once you have it go for the bigger metro or the tourist spots. DZs near Chicago usually could use one or two more than they have during the weekend. ymmv. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I used to be on that demo team and can teach a little. Unfortunatly I don't have much in the way of crw canopies. Jim Rasmussen does, is an awesome teacher and lives and jumps within 100 miles of you. Send me a pm and I'll hook you up with some reading material and contact info. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Where are you in WI? I might have at least one of what you are looking for. Old stuff is just in the way. I'll be in Lancaster (SE WI) next Sunday and East Troy (SW WI) in two weeks. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Not sure what is going on with the fingers, but, the TI having his arms under his students during deployment is not good. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Hey April and JIm, I plan on being there for the weekend and hopefully Kurt, Paul, Andy and some good Polish beer too. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I've been around awhile and am embarrassed to ask, but I gotta know, wtf are louie loops? Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Hi Erica, How are you and Peter? I used to wear sandals or nothing, until one day when I followed a free bag in Florida. It wasn't terrible walking out but thinking about all the snakes bugged me a lot. Shoes ever since. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Hey Doc, I started there in '85. FJC was about the same as civilian clubs then at $125. After that it was $1/jump. No shit. Once you had your JM rating, jumps were free. Aircraft support was hot and cold, usually about one weekend a month. But they were cool aircraft, either a Huey, Chinook or Blackhawk. See you Saturday Doc. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

3/4 of our team will be there. Looking forward to it. We could do three states and cross the river twice if you want to up the ante. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Jan Meyer? Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I remember a South West Organization Of Parachutists in Texas in the 80's. Kevin Gibson was a part of it. Was he the president? Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

We had an awesome weekend with Jim Rasmussen this weekend! Our demo team started with offset docks and we were doing diamonds and stairsteps and other formations faster than we could wrap them. What a blast! Jim also initiated one new crw dog and refreshed another that has been out of it for a while. We finished the weekend with some five way kites, our best was a three point kite dive. Wow, bitchen! April got some great shots from the ground. Hope to see some of those soon somewhere cool. Every course and camp I've done amazes me at how much I don't know that I don't know. This one was exceptional! Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Cables and flares equal bad juju. The complications and problems are to many to list. Been there, done that. Please, don't do it. I've heard chain works well with a lot of stainless steel hose clamps. Learn from the mistakes of others, you don't have time to make all of them yourself. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I have used one minute marine flares quite a lot in the past. I don't know where they were bought. They are HOT and dangerous and not to be used without thorough preperation and training. The magnesium ones may be what Twardo uses. There is a picture on the Liberty Parachute Teams website. They look really cool. I think Jim told me they were class C (?) fireworks. Again, tough stuff to play with. Our demo team doesn't use the flares any more. We use a one million candle power "headlight" to light up the canopy. Much safer. Personally I think the flares look better, but, I much prefer the light. If you use the flares, get proper instruction. There are several different boot brackets I have seen. You need boots! Shouldn't be a problem for a Gunney. Also some Nomex leggings is are more than a good idea. Having the flares fastened to a cable doesn't work well. The first time you use one at night you'll think your ass is on fire. It probably isn't. You know you can't look at it, but damn do you feel lit up. I'm sure Jim can give better instruction on this. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

The H/C and reserve may be worth the $400. What are they? The intercepter, not worth much. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

So someone says, "Give her to Keith, he's good with the nervous ones." I remember that one. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

You can buy the new version (RWS 7, I think) or you could edit that part out since it is no longer experimental. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Yo Mamas rock. I saw Randy Monday afternoon, he was still pumped. Nice work all of you. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

I usually cut out a "paper doll" and fold and bend it to show how the arch always brings you back belly to earth. Takes almost a minute. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway

Well said Dave. I too am lucky enough to work at several dzs that listen to and respect my opinion. We always want to jump, but sometimes it's wiser/safer to wait. Keith ''Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.'' - Ernest Hemingway