slotperfect

I have three skydiving line drawings, one of the series posted here. I have the free fall dude (attached), the swooper dude, and the video dude. Does anyone know if there 1) exists a tandem pair, and 2) where I can find it? Thanks! Arrive Safely John

I saw a "Gravity Rules" sticker on one of the mock-ups at Eloy . . . anybody know where I can get a couple?? Arrive Safely John

Great site and VERY useful. Thanks! Any chance on Current Winds Aloft to compliment the Forecasted Winds Aloft?? Arrive Safely John

I have to say that I really enjoy jumping the big airplanes, but my being spoiled comes from jumping the military aircraft, which are HUUUGE compared to the average civilian skydiving operation. Fortunately, I "grew up" in skydiving making military jumps, jumps with military clubs, and civilian jumps as well. Because of that experience, I don't turn down jumps just because we "have" to take a Cessna. I confess that I will try and set myself up to use the Otters, though . . . there's much more room for my huuuuge noggin'! Arrive Safely John

Of course, this is full of personal bias, but . . . Tony Thacker and Kate Griesser at Raeford Skydiving Center get my vote. Tony and Kate have always taken very good care of me, and I'm not ashamed to throw them a compliment here. I will add that Before Tony and Kate took over the DZO duties, Gene Paul and Miss Billie Thacker were friends for years and also took great care of me. I have met a few DZOs elsewhere, but my heart stays close to home. Arrive Safely John

I emailed Safety and Training at USPA last week to ask them this question: ##################################### From the August 1, 2002 S&T Newsletter: "Appropriate changes will also be incorporated into the competition and rating systems to allow for similar jump number requirements that already exist in order to obtain ratings or enter competition." Under the current system, the prerequisites for earning a USPA Coach rating include "USPA C License or FAI Equivalent" and for earning an AFF Instructor Rating include "USPA D License or FAI Equivalent." When the USPA license prerequisites (jump numbers) change on 30 September to align with FAI, will the prerequisite jump numbers for USPA Coach and USPA AFF Instructor remain at 100 and 200?? Example: Joe Jumper makes his 200th jump on 01 October 03, and held a USPA C License before the alignment with FAI. Meeting all of the other USPA Coach Course prerequisites, he wants to attend an AFF Certification Course. Will he be able to do so? ##################################### Here was Jim Crouch's reply: ##################################### The decision will be up to the Board of Directors at this summer's meeting. The S&T Committee is currently reviewing the SIM and IRM with the changes to an FAI equivalent license in mind. The jump NUMBERS required for ratings and competition should remain the same as they are now. So after September 30 the someone attending a Coach course will need to have a USPA B License and 100 jumps. Someone attending a SL IAD or AFF course will need to have a USPA C License and 200 jumps. Tandem requirements are currently 500 jumps and a D License and will most likely stay at that requirement, as will the PRO rating. But it is up to the Board how those changes are handled. Anyone who meets the requirements before the date will be left as they are without requiring anything additional. So if someone has a C License and 101 jumps on September 29 they will not have to make 99 jumps to keep the C License on October 1. The C License remains with that jumper. ##################################### I thought y'all might find this information useful. Arrive Safely John

Raeford Parachute Center - 1968 Read all about Raeford Parachute Center John

The sport does have some limits . . . he exceeds the upper limit for tandem passengers (for any Tandem Master), IMHO. John

Raeford Parachute Center (NC) Skydive Arizona (Eloy) - a MUST. Skydive City (Zephyrhills, FL) Skydive DeLand (FL) John

I watched Mr. Rogers from the first season (1968) until I "outgrew" him. I remember watching him again later just for fun, as an adult. I always experienced him as being very genuine. I heard an old interview with him on NPR this morning, defending himself against comments that he came off as being a wimp. Funny how I never looked at him that way, and judging by the replies in this thread, neither did you all. Rest easy, old friend . . . Mr. Rogers on NPR John

I have about 50 jumps on a Sigma 370 and three on a Sigma 395. I have about 5 jumps on an EZ425. First, you will luuuuuuvv the way it opens compared to your EZ425. I side pack it, rolling the nose on each side and tucking in the center sell in the standard Vector manner. Next, the toggle pressure is noticeably lighter It will land very differently, more like a two-stage sport landing. I chose to make two jumps with an experienced Tandem Master on the front to get used to the landing flare before taking paying customers. I also use a "bump and run" or "double flare" to get more speed and lift for the landing. Standups are a breeze when there is wind, and sliding landings are much softer than the EZ425. See if you can find some of the Tandem Masters at Eloy to talk to . . . they use both the Sigma 370 and the Sigma 395 out there. John

I have the same "jump type search" issue with SkyLog, although I have learned to just live with the glitch. Otherwise I am very happy with it. I too let them know about the glitch, and he said he would look into it - no reply after that. I also asked about availability of an updated version, but he said there was not enough interest in the first one to warrant the update. I will say that if I had it to do all over again, I would get my Excel genius buddy to create me one as a searchable spreadsheet. Arrive Safely John

I just got back into town last night at 12:30. We're off to Myrtle Beach in a couple of hours so I can run 26.2 miles in the rain tomorrow. My son has a soccer game on Sunday, so I'm gonna choose to be his cheering section. I'm shooting for the weekend in April . . . Arrive Safely John

The first canopy I jumped as a student was a military MC1-1B. After my prerequisite static line jumps I actually made free fall jumps with it! The first canopy I owned was a Cruiselite XL made by Para Flite. John

Finding a used suit that fits you at your height is a task in itself. A Michigan Suit in good shape for that price sounds like a good deal. I have a Michigan comp suit that is the best one I have ever owned. I plan on buying another very soon. John

Video! Video!

My comment is in reference to the jumpers who stay current by USPA standards, but jump rather infrequently. An infrequent jumper can still be safe, as long as they stay within safe parameters. That is what I interpreted Phree's response to mean. I also agree that it's not all about the numbers either. A personal example: I have 2735 jumps, and have made 53 jumps in the past three weeks. I consider myself to be current and "in the groove" as a skydiver at the moment. My performance/spatial awareness in free fall and landing approaches are excellent right now. I have made 326 demo jumps in my career . . . stadiums, city street intersections, amphitheaters, etc. Some pretty tight areas. I consider myself an experienced demo jumper. Now, I have not made a demo jump since June 2002, and that area was not that tight, and my canopy was HUGE. The last tight area demo I did with a smaller canopy was in 1995. I am a PRO rating holder, and I keep that current every year by meeting the jump number and accuracy requirements. Now, let's say I get a call from a friend to do a demo in front of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium or some such tight area with few outs. He says he'll provide me with a StarTrac I, a canopy type which I have a bazillion jumps on, including most of my demos, but we are leaving in two hours. Do you think I would do this demo? Numbers or not, I would turn it down. It is outside my safety parameters as far as demos are concerned at this point in time. Now, let's say the timing changed, and the demo was in two weeks. Say I could get the rig today and start tuning up my target accuracy at Raeford. Two weeks worth of diligent training and I'd be ready to go. So, it's not about the numbers at all. It's not about currency, either. AND, you are welcome to jump with me any time . . . low numbers, infrequency and all. John

Hmmmm . . . OK . . . organize and delegate. I can do that (as long as I'm actually here). I can do some grunt work too. 'Cause it IS all good!! Kate was asking about ideas for events for this year. I will put a bug in her ear about this weekend in April. John

Got it. As far as I can see, I am free in April. Don asked me to help put the event together, which I am glad to do. I will ask around to see what I can help with once I am back at home (I'm travelling 09 - 23 Feb). Thanks! John

I'm still not clear on the date your list refers to . . . please clarify! John

Not counting military dropzones or demo locations, here they are in order of their appearance: Raeford Parachute Center (NC) Green Beret Sport Parachute Club (NC) 82nd Sport Parachute Club (NC) Laurinburg-Maxton Airport (NC) Skydive The Point (VA) Blue Sky Ranch (DZ) Skydive DeLand (FL) Phoenix Z-Hills (FL) Skydive City (FL) Marana Skydiving Center (AZ) Skydive Texas (TX) S'Port City Skydivers (LA) Carolina Sky Sports (NC) Skydive New Mexico (NM) Skydive Arizona (AZ) Skydive Cross Keys (NJ) The Skydiving Place (NC) Greene County SPC (KY) Arrive Safely John

If I read this thread correctly, I hear the date to be 22 February??? If so, I shall be running the Myrlte Beach Marathon that day, returning Sunday the 23rd. I might hobble by to say hi to everyone, but I will be voluntarily grounded that day. Confirm the date pleez! Arrive Safely John

slotperfect = an RW formation in which each skydiver has an assigned position Arrive Safely John

Originally from Cabot, Vermont Currently live in Pinehurst, North Carolina Home DZ is Raeford Skydiving Center Arrive Safely John

I would like to add my endorsement to two of the above recommendations: 1) I have received valuable training from Dave DeWolf. He is a great teacher and very easy to learn from. Practical to a tee. 2) I attended the USAPR Master Rigger Course, and highly recommend Sandy and Brenda Reid's course to anyone. It is extremely comprehensive and as in-depth as you want to make it. John