slotperfect

We are proactive: removing posts, warning the authors, banning them for gross or repeat offenses, requesing that their usernames get disabled if their intent is simply malicious. There are 12 Moderators and 1 owner for 24 open forums. Both the forums and the Mods are international, partially to maximize coverage around the clock. Speakers Corner can get carried away quickly because everyone's hot button is there. If my hot button is flag burning, and I cruise the SC forum looking for a reason to defend it, my button can easily be pushed in and get me spun up. Thankfully all of that content is in one forum and people can choose like I do to stay out of that forum. I rarely read posts or post there. Nearly everything gets read eventually, but if you see something that is not in accordance with the forum rules you need to PM one of the Moderators for that forum with a link to the thread and the reason you brought it to his/her attention. THat way our beloved community looks after itself. Arrive Safely John

Arrive Safely John

I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. We are all thirsty for details because we care. Now is the time for patience. Someone close to the situation will post appropriate factual information once the families have been officially notified. Please keep any traffic that would lead one to deduce someone's name to yourselves, or at least to carefully chosen PMs. Thanks. Arrive Safely John

To the package store to fill up the fridge. Arrive Safely John

I guess I am one of those "different drummers." I always recommend to people that if they intend on learning how to skydive that they start AFF. If they want to "sample" it simply for the experience, or to see if they will enjoy it, then tandem is the way to go. To answer your "Instructors save your life" question . . . First of all you need to understand that it is your responsibility to pull the ripcord. The Instructors are there to assist you, and the redundant safety systems on your equipment are there as backup devices only. You will receive all the training you need so that you can pull for yourself. It is the most important part of every skydive. Secondly, you should understand that reserve malfunctions are extremely rare. The chance of you being put in the situation you describe is miniscule. Next, Instructors have assisted students in many ways, sometimes on the heroic scale. They have "rules of engagement" that they follow during their instruction, and can go to great lengths to ensure the safety of the student. While what you describe is not impossible, I would say quite honestly that it is not likely. Here you will read that understanding the risk should be your first step in getting into skydiving. All of your training, practice, and experience gained helps you mitigate that risk as much as possible. Best of luck and blue skies. Arrive Safely John

Welcome to the forums, and back to the skydiver fold!

"Welcome To The Terrordome" by Public Enemy. I'm not a big rap fan but I really like that song. Arrive Safely John

Let's keep that thread going! Arrive Safely John

I did the same thing when I changed units long ago. The machine I was used to had a guard over the takeup lever, and when I was working on a patch deep inside the tail of a canopy with the fabirc bunched up all around it, I would rest my forehead against that guard. When I went to the Golden Knights and sat down to sew a patch, I carved a groove in my forehead before I realized that machine didn't have such a guard! I haven't been to Ft. Pickett in a looooong time. I don't believe we have met. Look me up the next time you are at Raeford. Arrive Safely John

Please refer to this thread about location threads. Thanks! Arrive Safely John

I went through the US Army Parachute Rigger School at Ft. Lee, VA in 1984. In the maintenance branch they had Singer 97-10 stand-up heavy duty machines that would sew through about anything. The instructor giving the class on that machine sewed through a piece of 1/4" plywood. He warned us several times about keeping our fingers away from the needle. There was a board on the wall with ranks, names, and dates of former students. There was also a little dot next to their name. When someone sewed their finger, they posted their name, rank, and a spot of their blood. I managed to keep my fingers intact. THey don't have those machines any mmore . . . you don't see them much at all. Sandy Reid has one at RI that sews like a dream! Arrive Safely John

Correct! I owned a Raider, which was the same design one size smaller (220 sq ft). The Maverone is 250. It was a fine canopy in its day . . . I don't have much familiarity with Flight Concepts' stuff any more. Arrive Safely John

The tone of the posts has led me to post another word of caution: Keep your tempers under control Intentionally provoking threads that are simply meant to anger others will be removed. Those who allow those shallow tactics to get under their skin and lash out with hateful personal attacks will take a long break from this forum. Nuff said. Arrive Safely John

Location threads belong in the "Events and Places to Jump" Forum. For example: "Are there any DZs near Tupelo, Mississippi?" "Do they sell jump tickets in bulk at a discount at Acme Skydiving Center?" "Has anyone gone through AFF at Skydive Metropolis?" "I'm gonna be at Fillmore East Skydiving Center this weekend . . . who will be there?" "How many manufacturers usually show up at the XYZ Boogie?" "Can anyone give me a ride from Moline to WFFC?" "Places to Stay Near Mayberry Skydiving Center?" "I am from Vidalia . . . are there any other skydivers in these forums from there?" Please choose the correct forum for these posts . . . that will save us from having to move them! Arrive Safely John

OK - I think we all know who is for and against double-stowing. Since the incident in question happened on a Tandem Vector, here is what Relative Workshop says about line dump and double stowing tandem bands: (Bear in mind that the line stow length on a tandem is longer than a sport rig because of the bulk of the stows.) I have a lot of jumps on the military tandem rigs referred to in the second paragraph that double-stow the rubber bands (the first two locking stows are single-wrapped tandem tube stoes). The canopy is a PD421 loaded as heavily as 1.54:1. On loads that heavy we use a 72" drogue. I would not put one of those rigs on my back that had single wrapped line stows, nor would I allow anyone else to do so. The Sigma Tandems we use at Raeford (Sigma 370 canopies) are single-wrapped tandem bands all the way across the bag. We use a standard 54" drogue and load the canopy as high as 1.35:1. On both my personal canopy and my work canopy (both with 825 lb microline) I use standard rubber bands on the locking stows, double-wrapped, and mini rubber bands on the regular stows, single-wrapped. I have consistently smooth openings on heading, with my work canopy (a Silhouette) occasionally diving 90 degrees to one side. In all four scenarios mentioned above, I have never had as much as a hesitation let alone a bag lock. In Derek's situation I firmly believe the double-wrapped tandem bands caused his bag lock malfunction. Why? Because I trust the manufacturer's guidance. I also believe that whatever stow band you choose should hold the line tight enough in place to result in 8-12 pounds of force to release each stow. Why? Because I trust the manufacturer's guidance (see this article). Brett: you posted this question because you were "curious as to jumpers and riggers opinions" (your words). You received several very clear opinions from some highly experienced Riggers whose knowledge is respected both in these forums and elsewhere. Then you chose simply to argue, with the objectivity of your replies eroding to silly name calling and boldly stating that people reading this post should listen to you instead of three pioneers in the sport, a dead rock star, and God. We all understand what your opinion is. Everyone else: information posted in this forum can be very informative and has likely saved people from injury or death. The key is in making an informed decision based on gathering information from trusted sources. Do your homework, discuss all of the information with the manufacturers of your equipment and experienced professionals that you trust, then decide for yourself. This thread will continue if the posts are objective and civilized. If replies are made simply to make the other person wrong or to discredit them somehow by perverting their username, it will get locked. Nuff said. Arrive Safely John

As already stated, jump aircraft are set up differently, and drop zones have different procedures. The big thing is to ask . . . I have never been to a DZ where the management didn't LIKE it when new arrivals asked questions to keep themselves and others safe. At Raeford, the Otters have only one light - green. The cut in power means open the door, the green light means the first group climbout and exit, and the green light going out means wait for a go-around. If there is a group in the door when the green light goes out, the pilot will gently kick the rudder to let the group in the door know they are long. They then choose whether to go or climb back in. Arrive Safely John

I stuck this thread to the top of the forum. Let's keep the conversations going in one thread. Squeak . . . yours was first, but Derek's mentions grounding in the subject line and has more conversation going on.

Added John Cranston from Paratec-USA. Arrive Safely John

Once the minutes from the BOD meeting are posted to the USPA website all of the details will be available for all to see. I'll post a link when they are posted. Arrive Safely John

I should be there Saturday . . . Sunday I have other plans. To add to what Gimpy said: Tony is TonyT here in the forums. He is co-owner of the school and the USPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Director. Tony is at the DZ Wednesday through Sunday and will happily answer any quetions you have. Arrive Safely John

Hi James! I am on staff in the school at Raeford. Look me up next time you're out there. I will be there all day today (Sunday, 7/17). Cheers! Arrive Safely John

Sangiro will have to answer your Premier Membership question, but if I'm not mistaken you have to have an email address established elsewhere to register for dropzone.com, If you have an account with an ISP, they should certainly provide you with an email address. If you plan to use internet access through a new employer or through public access (library, friends, etc.) I suggest you establish a Yahoo Mail or HotMail account (those are free). There are more, but I believe those are the most common. Arrive Safely John

Sangiro. He will read this post eventually but you may want to double cover the issue by sending him a PM. Arrive Safely John

I never got one for my first jump, but Uncle Sam gave me a nice set of silver wings after making #5! Arrive Safely John

Wherever you choose, be sure to let us know! Arrive Safely John