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Even though it was windy, and I had time for only one jump, it was fun being with all of you at Raeford yesterday. It's great to see so many dot commers showing up so often. I see a "Dropzone.com Boogie" in our future somewhere, like Raeford! Big enough to handle the event, yet small enough that the event doesn't get swallowed up by other things happening that weekend. What do you think, HH? Arrive Safely John

I had dropped out of college and planned to join the Army. The recruiter showed me a film about Jump School at Ft. Benning, GA and I was hooked. My first jump came during jump school in August of 1984. After being assigned to Ft. Bragg that November, my best friend (who had made a few civilian skydives at Lakehurst, NJ) talked me into starting static line progression at the Green Beret Club. After 11 jumps on freefall MC1-1Bs, I took a short break and went to the Army's Military Free Fall School. I have ben a free faller, both military and civilian, ever since. Arrive Safely John

When I was doing demos, I jumped a Star Trac I (265 SQ FT), loaded at .94:1, shooting target accuracy most often on concrete or asphalt. I trained mostly at DZs less than 500 FT MSL. Two air shows were quite different: Truckee-Tahoe Airport in California (5900 FT MSL), and Cheyenne Airport in Wyoming (6156 MSL). The first noticeable difference was the descent rate under canopy. I really came out of the sky in a hurry. All of us cut our approach pattern altitudes in half. The landings were a bit harder, but we had winds at both places so it was bearable. My work canopy is a Silhouette 210, loaded at 1.17:1, and I regularly jump it between 200 FT MSL and 1900 FT MSL. There is a noticeable difference in the timing for planing out during landings, but it only takes one or two jumps to adjust. I have also jumped that canopy in Albuquerque, New Mexico at about 5500 FT MSL. I simply throttled back on my manuevers close to the ground and shot more conservative approaches. Paul's article is great . . . I have passed it on to my comrades for their education as well. Arrive Safely John

I also recommend you get the ripstop replaced with a sewn patch. Arrive Safely John

Sorry to hear about your dilemma. For future reference, Sky Kat Gear Shop is very good about ordering the CYPRES AADs such that the DOM of each component matches as closely as possible. When I ordered my rig in May, they placed the CYPRES order such that each component arrived within a couple of weeks of each other. Arrive Safely John

I put four jumps on an Ariel 170 about 11 years ago. It opened very hard. The design was not around for very long, unlike the Sabre which has been around about 13 years. Sabres themselves have a reputation for hard openings now and again, but I know several people who own them that say they have never had a problem and attribute it to being deliberate when they pack. Hope this helps. Arrive Safely John

I bought an Odyssey this Summer, and I love it. I have always been a Javelin fan, and the Odyssey improvements just make it that much better. My experience with Sun Path has been a joy, both from a quality control and customer service perspective. They are also very good about answering questions both before and after the sale. The great thing about this day and age in skydiving is that there is a LOT of great equipment out there. There are a lot of good quality rigs. I would recommend the Odyssey in a hearbeat. Suggestion: call Tony at SkyKat Gear Shop in Raeford and see 1) what rig he sells the most, and 2) what his experience has been with Sun Path and the Odyssey. (910) 875-7231

Looking for an FAA Rigger with a Seat Rating near Wadesboro, North Carolina. I have an acquaintance that has a pilot emergency parachute, and is looking for an appropriately rated Rigger he can use on a regular basis. He is not far from me, but I am not seat rated. Any takers? Arrive Safely John

I must renegotiate . . . make that 11:30. Arrive Safely John

I B going Saturday too. I'll roll in at about 10. Big way, anyone?? Arrive Safely John

Deal! Arrive Safely John

First jump ever: 19 (Military static line jump) First AFF Jump: 23 And yes, I bought beer both times Arrive Safely John

38 until November of 2003! Less than two years to my mid-life crisis car!! Arrive Safely John

CONGRATULATIONS!

At work we have a bunch of Pro-Dytters, some of which have developed cracks in the battery case covers. I emailed L&B to order some replacements. They told me there was an improved version that didn't crack, and sent me a bunch for free. They really are great folks. Their booth is worth visiting at Symposium if you go . . . take your Pro-Track/Pro-Dytter as last time they had some funky colored cases as freebies to rebuild them. Arrive Safely John

Another one . . . I have a friend and fellow skydiver that was wounded in the shoulder in Vietnam. His right arm was disabled for several months after he had surgery to repair the shoulder. He is right handed, and being the type that hates to have other people do everything for him, he began teaching himself to do everything left handed while in rehab at the VA hospital. He demonstrated to me his result by tying his shoe, one-handed, with his left hand. He is an amazing man in many ways, but that one is one of my favorites. Arrive Safely John

I had a Coach in high school that was ambidextrous. Playing baseball, he was a good switch hitter, and could throw well with either hand (stronger on his dominant side). He could shoot a basketball with both, and both of his feet were equally as strong in Soccer. His most amazing feat was writing on the chalk board with both hands at the same time. The only stipulation was that he had to be writing the same thing. His brain was not ambidextrous. Arrive Safely John

I did one in conjunction with an airshow in Elkhart, Indiana 8 or 9 years ago. The best part was listening to myself accelerate. Second to that would be the guts coming up in the throat feeling - whoa! Arrive Safely John

I too learned to fly, successfully getting my Private Pilot SEL in 1998. I quickly got non-current because of lack of time, money, and airplanes at our small airport. I LOVE flying, and I am rather good at it. I have no desire to fly for a living either, especially as a jump pilot. When I retire from the Army and settle into a new career and home, I plan to dust off my pilot's logbook and start flying again. One day I would love to own my own airplane. My advice is that if you are that passionate about flying, there is a way for you to have what you want. Keep looking, and don't give it up! Arrive Safely John

One word: Authenticity. Arrive Safely John

In my Sophomore year of my abbreviated college career, she was a Freshman. We dated briefly until I left, were incommunicado for 2.5 years, then did the long distance love thing for a year and got married. 15 years and still made for each other! Arrive Safely John

CONGRATULATIONS! I was out there during the week and witnessed two attempts. Amazing seeing that many airplanes, freefalling bodies, and canopies in the sky at once. Sorry I missed the actual victory, but congrats on that awesome accomplishment. Arrive Safely John

US Army MSG/E-8 18.5 Years Arrive Safely John

How about a description? It could have been me . . . I was indeed there on Saturday wearing my DZ.com shirt! Arrive Safely John

Welcome and howdy! Lots of new folks joining us these days . . . it's great to see! Arrive Safely John