pyke

I don't think I thanked you for this yet, but THANK YOU! Your insight is always appreciated! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

I'm in the metal leg club! Would rather not be, but actually it was a damn good thing I broke my leg when I did! I just wish that the doc would have done a bit better of a job than leaving me an inch taller on one leg! Oh well, I guess for the rest of my life I can claim to be an inch taller than I am - and when they want proof - I'll just put more weight on the one leg!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Damn dude....you're more of a masochist than I am!! I don't mind the alcohol - it's just the first 30 seconds that make it all NOT worth it! I use Bactine (have for 15 years now!) and it ROCKS!! Available everywhere and CHEAP!! Plus - it's instant soothing! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

You're ALWAYS welcome to the crash pad....knocking is optional!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

4 in the ear - all lobes one below the belt, but considering another! Wouldn't mind the nipples, but still thinking about it. have had the tongue, eyebrow, cartilage. Have been with others who have had belly buttons, tongues, clits, lips, and lobes....have to rate the belly for looks, but the clit for FUN!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

who do we PM and give our number too?? Or is this a select group of the technologically advanced (i.e. cell phone owners)?? I'm game to be innundated with random drunk people!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Thanks quade, I've been keeping up with that post, but (and perhaps I'm missing it) it doesn't go into detail about whether or not the d-box was best for it or not...it makes mention of it's usefulness, but with limitations. I realize I'm not going to get a 'perfect fit' for it, regardless of what I buy, but was hoping for 'near perfect' without a lot of mod work to be done. Not that I'm afraid of mod work, but for the money, it would be better to not have to worry about cutting up what I've just spent all the $$ on!! Further thought...since you can "bake" your bonehead helmet to fit more snug...how about "baking" your d-box. Any additional thoughts - or is that just poppycock!??

I realize that alot of our trusted colleagues may be otherwise occupied by this event that everyone seems to be making a big deal out of - so a response might take a while....WHATEVER!! (note the jealousy!) ...but does anyone have any experience with the Bonehead d-box for the TRVs - using it for a TRV-22? Looking at it online and in pictures - it seems a lot longer than the new TRVs are....and I'm not sure if I should invest in that one and make mods to it, or get another kind that is more appropriate. I'm looking to first side mount it, then top mount it when I can afford a decent helmet/video/still set up. Your suggestions, thoughts, experiences....?? Thanks heaps!

This brings up a good point...I have a pair on the way - and am wondering if anyone has flown Pantz in RW....do they work?? Do they inflate too much at the ankle and cause too much of a head-down effect? I'm thinking of sending my RW suit in for repairs (potentially out of pocket 4 weeks) and would need a suit in the mean time - would these work in a pinch?? Anyone....anyone....!?? Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

LMFAO!! This is the funniest DAMN thing I've ever read!! I can't believe he had enough gull to complain in print. If he hates his sessions - he should seek out Mgmt....but not a reporter. And that picture...talk about "feeling like a worm"...He LOOKS like one enough!!! Too funny - looks like I need to start reading this from now on! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Sorry to burst your bubble, Phree - not that I would do so intentionally (still owe you BIG TIME bro!), but as an employee - I've never seen the stuff!! Checking REI.com proves unsuccessful as well. As for the "G" place...well - I can't say - I'm loyal to my own, but I'll keep an eye out at Wal-mart's gun counter, or anywhere else about the stuff. So, what kind of dangers to your camera are there for adding this stuff?? [edited to read: dangers=gunkifying your camera & lenses] And, if this is the best stuff to work in FL/GA humidity, why isn't it EVERYWHERE?? Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

My folks just bought one in the Carmel/Monterey area...and it is with a firm that has them all over the world - namely NZ - so they are pretty happy with it. It takes a lot of research to invest in a good TS, kind of like buying a real condo - so invest wisely, and make sure you understand EVERYTHING you're getting into!!! GOOD LUCK!! (and on those trips - yeah, they're free, but they're a real headache!! Certain dates, certain times, no changes, reserve WAY in advance...yadda, yadda, yadda!!) Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Well, I can attest to Ricky Martin's skydiving... ...but he doesn't STILL do it - that I know of! While on tour through New Zealand in 2000, his Auckland concert got rained out one night...and destroyed some equipment. So, while waiting for that equipment to arrive - they spent the day at Mercer Skydiving Center, just south of the city. He did 2 (count them...2) tandems in one day - and some of his entourage did some as well. One of the tech crew did the first 3 levels of AFF, but that was about it. So, aside from that - I would love to know what makes these celebrities "accomplished" skydivers...what did they accomplish?? World Record?? State Record?? Leaving the airplane?? It's kind of like Leo DiCaprio's bio that says he's a skydiver....with all of one tandem!!! Anyway - too funny!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Frowned upon doesn't = not allowed. I hold dual citizenship with the US and NZ...and have never had a single problem with taxes, travel, or otherwise. All it took was $$ and a letter stating that by getting dual citizenship - I recognize that I *may* jeopardize my US citizenship, but that didn't stop either side from signing off on it. AND, (this is the coolest part about it!!) I get the shortest line on either side of the border!! Leave the US with my US passport....arrive in NZ with my Kiwi passport and go straight through customs....turn around and do it again...Leave NZ with Kiwi passport, and breeze through US customs with my US passport! Nothing illegal about it...and it save LOTS of time!!! So, I'd keep your US, apply for the Canuck one....and hope for the best,eh. At least you know they can't TAKE your US for trying!! Good luck! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Cool - Thanks Obi-quade-kenobi - I was hoping that would the be the case! So, in light of your response, what lens(es) work best for stills? I have a standard 50...and I think (!) I have an 80-220 (which I'm presuming (hoping!!) is too much) Or, should I look to get a straight 80 and use that?? I know I'm full of questions, but this is my virtual dz...so, what can you do?? Thanks, Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

I've got an older Nikon (N6006af) camera that I was considering keeping for a stills camera. Does anyone have any advice about this camera, or should I look to start considering another alternative when the time comes to mount one? Does it make a hill of beans difference which still camera you go with?? Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

What a bunch of CRAP!!!! I see a beautiful blonde...on a black background! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Okay - this has probably been passed around like a hot potato, but.... does anyone have a tandem video uploaded on the net anywhere that I can use to show some folks from work who are about to embark on the "journey" but want to see one first. Looking for either, the raw footage, or someone's post-production number. Thanks!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Remember, that's IF you plan on jumping...!!! Don't forget - that even if you don't meet the requirements, you're still in the FL Keys!!! Sun, sand, surf....and a dz party at the end of the day!!! Can't wait! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Thanks quade....and thanks for doing your magic to make this it's own thread. I thought it was a connected thought, but I see how this way it will get more traffic. [edited to add:] Also, Sony Excellence tapes, huh?! I didn't realize there was much of a difference, but are there any other flyers who use otherwise - and why?? I am still on my first tape - so I could easily be persuaded to use something better, but other viewpoints are encouraged!! Thanks!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Steve, Quite happy to say that you're not alone....AT ALL!!! I hasten to say that EVERY skydiver has blown a formation (get your mind out the gutter jtval!!)...either with folks they knew - or didn't!! A couple of big ones in my career have been: *blowing a Memorial jump for a friend's father who went in.....yeah - talk about guilt on that one! *showing up at the dz where I picked up my license (out of country), only to flare really bloody high and have the DZO run out to see if I was okay...then considered taking my 'newly acquired' license away from me *crashing through a 4 way base trying to "race" someone to it.....I got above and then lost all my air!! About my only consolation to any of this was showing up to a new dz..as a glorious 70 jump wonder...and being the one person on the skydive NOT to eff up their slot!! Take the good with the bad.....and jump again! And skygods....well - they had to start somewhere - so just remind them next time they pull any shite with you....and then don't jump with them again! We're not a sport about attitude...we're ALL about ALTITUDE. Jump and SMILE!!

quade (or anyone really), a follow up question.... what tapes do you use when filming?? I have tried playing around with just a generic Fujifilm 60/90min tape that I picked up to fill with some junk while I learned about the camera....and it talks about not being able to use titles and such unless you're using a cassette with "CM" cassette memory in it. Those things cost like $20 each! Is that what is used when filming tandems and all that so you can put names and graphics on the tape....or is that done in "post-production"??? Probably a really stupid question to you all, but I haven't been around too many video flyers in the past - and I guess I will start hanging around them now!! Thanks in advance! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Thanks for that post, quade... AWESOME info!! I understand what you mean with the Tandem clients...so I'll look at that when I start jumping. For now, I just want something to get a good clear shot of what's in the sky with me! Thanks again! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

Instruction manual says to: (not a direct quote) "open the entire camera - remove the battery, tape, and memory card...and let sit for a period of about an hour in a well-ventilated area (not in direct sunlight)....then resume use. If problems still occur - take to dealer for repair." Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

quade, What, in your admittedly, limited experience jumping the TRV-22 is the best wide angle for it? Was looking at the examples at the top of the page - and it appears - to my naked eye - that the Sony .6 is a better (wider) angle. How important is that extra 2 feet of your wall when you're talking about following a formation, or tandem, out the door?? Thanks, in advance! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic