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Happy Burfday, Linda! Arrive Safely John

I pray for peace and closure for the family. May Pops be forever free to fly in the blue skies of Heaven. Arrive Safely John

I have a different spin on what all of us can do . . . First, we broadcast a perception of joy, excitement, and love of life to the public with regard to our sport. Much of what we see on TV about skydiving is the "Real TV" version - "no s***, there I was at 9,000 feet unconscious with a drogue around my neck until my cameraman buddy came in to save the day. Many people out there think skydivers are crazy and wonder "what happens if the parachute doesn't open?" Ironically those people will jump in their car without asking "what happens if my brakes fail?" They will head out in the rush hour traffic in a thunderstorm without giving it a second thought. How do we do this? Externally, we educate the public by using the many vehicles available: bringing friends and co-workers to the dropzone for a visit; conducting professional demo jumps; and yes, even using the media to spread the word that skydiving is absolutely incredible. Internally (within our ranks), we stress safety. We encourage reasonable wingloadings and get people to see the value in learning to swoop using the "crawl, walk, run" theory. We make emergency procedures, safe exit separation, and equipment maintenance a priority. If everyone down to the last individual makes this shift, we will stop losing the amount of brothers and sisters we are losing every year, Real TV will have less to sensationalize, and people (including the federally funded airports) will LOVE to have us around! This is obviously a stretch; I'm being optimistic on a pipe-dream scale. But, if all of us strive to make the public's perception of skydiving as positive, it will solve the airport eviction issue and many others. [Stepping off my soapbox] Arrive Safely John

"Jefe, do ju know what a "PLETHORA " ees?" Arrive Safely John

Stand by for my salute , , , Brought to you by 6 months of fresh air. Congrats, my friend. Blue Skies (and Fresh Air!!) Arrive Safely John

Around 23,000 feet. Military HAHO. Brrrrrrrrrr! Arrive Safely John

Congratulations, cordura-butt! Work, shmerk . . . put it on and go hang around the water cooler! Arrive Safely John

Not counting my military static line jumps . . . 2782 jumps in 15 years, 2 months Still going . . . Arrive Safely John

I learned a great test for one's pilot chute packing method: -fold your pilot chute as you normally do, and put it neatly in the pouch as always. -pull out a little bridle from underneath it at the mouth of the pouch, then try to pull the pilot chute out that way. -if it comes right out, you are good to go -if it jams up in the pouch and you can pick your rig up off the floor with it, you may want to try another method of folding it (there are lots of ways) Works for me!

Psst! I know a Tandem Master who turns 60 this year! Can you say BURFDAY PARTY?? Arrive Safely John

Hi Dave, and welcome . . . 100 is a big milestone frought with many traditions including large pastries in motion. Congrats in advance. Arrive Safely John

Welcome! Enjoy the forums, and say hi to their creator Sangiro, better known as HH. I echo Tom's invitation to Raeford . . . come on down for a visit! Arrive Safely John

Good luck in your re-start! Let us know how it goes! Meanwhile, enjoy the forums . . . it's a great place to hang. Arrive Safely John

Hi Mike! Welcome to these Forums! Skydiving is a wonderful life. Glad you see it our way!

I was deployed to Iraq. It felt incredible to get back in the air again. After 19 years, skydiving is as natural as breathing to me. I really hope you recover quickly. Healing coming your way. Arrive Safely John

Welcome! Great job enrolling your Mom in what will doubtless be an incredible experience for her. My Mom is 73, and plans to make a tandem with me this Fall . . . those pics will, of course, make the forums!! Please share a pic or two from your jump together as well!! Blue skies!

First lift, Get It On!! Arrive Safely John

It is common practice at Raeford for all jumpers on the aircraft to take their seatbelts off at 1000 Feet. I tell both my AFF and Tandem students to do the same. I have been using that altitude for years. If I go to another DZ that uses 1500 Feet I will happily comply to the local way of doing things. Arrive Safely John

Intended to educate, not fuel a "less filling vs. tastes great" type debate about Tandem Rigs . . . HERE is the full presentation on the Sigma from RWS website. Narrated by Bill Booth. Arrive Safely John

I am Vector, Sigma, and Strong rated, with most of my jumps on the Vector and Sigma. The Sigma is the rig I enjoy the most. As far as canopies go, the Sigma 370 is my fave, although I have not jumped the Icarus Tandem canopies. I would like to sometime just to confirm the raves I have heard about them. Arrive Safely John

I will replace a safety stow loop if: -the elastic is broken and it is being held together only by the sheath (usually near the stitching) -any of the stitching is loose or broken -the loop has stretched to the point that it is longer than standard length (one inch longer than the distance between the grommets on the free bag as it lies flat) Hope this helps

Mine was diving on opening now and then. I was using mini rubber bands for all stows on a three-stow d-bag. I got a tip to change my locking stows to standard rubber bands and use mini rubber bands for the regular stows. It hasn't dived on me since!! I have closed end cells now and again, but as soon as I grab my rear risers in the process of collapsing my slider and pulling it down behind my head they inflate just fine. I LOVE the way my Sabre2 opens!!! Arrive Safely John

The only thing I have experienced that came close was learning to fly. Once the word got out that I was learning, everyone I knew who is a pilot called or stop by to see me to offer encouragement, advise, and loaner equipment. Arrive Safely John

Congrats! I know a few folks jumping their a** off to make the deadline. I'm glad you made it! Enjoy the license provileges and the Stiletto! Arrive Safely John

Wow! What a place to start! I have never been there but have seen pictures and heard others rave about it. I have a friend who takes skydiving vacations there and loves it. Best of luck in your training - make sure you let us know how it goes. Arrive Safely John