rgoper

it would depend on the aircraft and pilot for me. i know shifting weight can really screw up a pilot's day. and we all know the rules, the pilot is in control of the aircraft, as well as the exit of the jumpers. so follow the rules? i will. unless the pilot is obviously hypoxic, or otherwise that is. but to answer the question, i would have no problem bailing at 55 AGL and deploying my reserve. Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

i would love to express my opinion on this subject, but i'm sure to be criticized for it, so i'll pass. but for the record, i fly with one. Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

Zennie: i take it enron is not on your christmas card list? i know a lot of people who lost a lot of money on that deal, sad, good people too. my best wishes go out to all of those who contributed so much, for so little. they will pay, one way or another once the senate majority investigative committe finishes with them. Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

HH: actually, no tricks, just my opinion, i'm truly not overly concerned with the welfare of animals. (there expendable) i do however understand that each individual has his/her own ideals/priorities. all i initially did was express an opinion, and followed it up with "just my .02 USD" the rest was an attack by an unfriendly, and others who want to get involved, what, should i lay down? i don't want no trouble with anyone over anything. in case you haven't noticed i've intentionally been staying away. but it's just one person in particular that seems to be at odds with me. but my care factor is 36" shy of a yard. i cannot for the life of me understand why everyone else here but me can state there opinion without rhetorical recourses. but then again, as i've stated previously, it matters to me not. i just don't care. this forum is great, i love it, but i refuse to be attacked without some sort of reaction. i wish all the best to each and everyone here, but no apologies for stating my opinion(s) as should no one else should have to either. it's certainly not my concern if some others have "issues" or skeletons in there closets, nor do i think that this forum is the correct place to disscuss them, but once more, just my .02 USD. take care. Richard "Gravity Is My Friend" P.S. We do understand each other. please read the entire thread, and you'll surely make the observation that i was not the first to be assailed in this thread.

your rambling sycotic rhetoric is just that, rhetoric. it's meaningless to me. as far as your hearing reports of me "backflying" i give a fuck? RIGHT. as far as what i've heard about your past, i believe you left out a few details, but don't get me wrong, i could care less, it doesn't affect my income one bit. and don't blame me for your not coming to sky dive houston, i haven't been there my self for over two months, your really observant, i'll give you that. don't forget to take your allotted amount/dosage of prozac, or whatever. attack me all you want, i could give a fuck. and the truth is i can buy and sell a lot of folks a lot of times. i've been blessed with a wonderful profession that i naturally excell at. and yes my brand new corvette is kewel, my fifth one over the years. and i love my 2002 chevrolet avalance, and my 135 acre ranch, should i keep going? oh currently i'm building two quarter mile F body cars, a 67 mercury cougar, and a 69 mercury cougar. i make no apologies for my income, i work for everything i get, no one has ever gave me anything, although i understand your parents owned an insurance company, mine were farmers, so i inherited nothing, and made my own fortune, you? get over it. Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

how is the overall condition of our nations economic condition effecting your private life? i know it's slow at the dz's all over. what is your opinion of alan greenspan's latest antics? and last, but not least, your thoughts on "ENRONGATE" Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

fuck it! kill em' all, let god sort em' out. easy enough, no need for a "save the planet" mentality here. just my .02 USD. Richard "Gravity Is My Friend" P.S. My Cause Is Helping Myself, Since No One Else Is Interested In Monatarily Contributing To My Financial Welfare. I'm With JT On This One.

i believe it's because the brothers and sisters are too busy carrying out there appointed chores, ya know, cleaning house, and picking cotton, etc...tryin' to keep "masser" happy. this is of course satirical. the interest of miniorty skydivers is increasing, i see a lot of diverse groups on the dz, doing tandems and aff. i even know of one guy who is a high time jumper who shoots video, and is a tandem master. i welcome ALL races, colors and creeds into our sport. i'm white, and skered of heights! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

congrats! your doing a good thing for yourself. encourage others to follow suit. one thing to remember...."you can't smoke to your health" i used to have a sign on my office wall for the benifit of all who enter that read "if your smoking in here, you'd better be on fire!" blue skies, hot days! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

DITTO

lets just everybody remember the last form we sign, BEFORE we skydive, about death, paralaysis, etc........ In BIG LETTERS with your signature at the bottom, else you don't get to skydive. Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

NTSB Identification: FTW01LA132 Accident occurred Sunday, May 27, 2001 at Fentress, TX Aircraft:de Havilland DHC-6, registration: N125PM Injuries: 1 Fatal, 22 Uninjured. This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. On May 27, 2001, at 1120 central daylight time, a de Havilland DHC-6, multi-engine airplane, N125PM, came in contact with a skydiver that had exited a Beech King Air 90, multi-engine airplane, N276VM, during a formation air drop at 14,000 feet msl near Fentress, Texas. The skydiver received fatal injuries. The commercial pilot of the de Havilland was not injured, and the 21 skydivers that exited the de Havilland were not injured. The commercial pilot of the King Air was not injured, and the other eight skydivers that exited the King Air were not injured. The de Havilland sustained minor damage, and the King Air was not damaged. Both aircraft were owned by an individual and operated by Sky Dive San Marcos, Fentress, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the local flight. Both aircraft departed the private airstrip at Fentress, Texas, approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident. The operator reported to the FAA inspector, that the two aircraft departed the airstrip for the formation flight to 14,000 feet msl. The de Havilland was to be the lead aircraft with the King Air in trail. During the flight, the King Air moved into the lead with the de Havilland in trail. When the aircraft reached 14,000 feet msl, the pilots talked to each other via the aircraft radio, and notified the Austin controller that they were ready to release the skydivers. Subsequently, the de Havilland turned on a green light which signaled to the skydivers that they could commence exiting the de Havilland. When the King Air skydivers saw the jumpers departing the de Havilland, they began to exit the King Air. After the last jumper exited the King Air, he saw that the parachute of the previous jumper had not opened. He made an attempt to reach the jumper; however, the jumper fell to the ground. The reserve parachute of the jumper was found deployed. According to the operator, this was the first formation air drop flight for either pilot in multi-engine aircraft. Both aircraft landed without further incident. The pilot of the de Havilland reported that the aircraft was on a magnetic heading of 200 degrees in straight and level flight when "suddenly something hit what I thought was my right wing. The airplane started to vibrate, [and] I shut down the right engine." The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, examined both aircraft. On the de Havilland, the right engine's propeller had one of the propeller blades bent. Additionally, there were scrapes found along the right side of the fuselage of the de Havilland. Description: This jumper was participating in a 30-way skydive, exiting from a King Air, which was to be flying trail behind an Otter. She was somewhere in the middle of the exit lineup in the king air. At exit time, however, the king air ended up in front and above the otter. This jumper, shortly after exiting the King Air, struck the propeller of the Otter. One camera man observed this jumper spinning out of control, and went twice for the reserve handle, succeeding on the 2nd attempt. The reserve, however, did not deploy correctly, as it had been badly damaged during the collision. The cameraman landed covered in blood etc. She landed off the DZ in a yard, and her significant other landed nearby. She was pronounced DOA by the corner, having been seriously injured from the chest up by the prop-strike. Lessons: This is a unique event. King Air's can fly at a higher airspeed than Twin Otters, and it is possible and error was made by either or both pilots when setting up the exit. However, the jumpers in the door of the King Air should have had visual contact with the Otter. Very likely, they exited the plane despite having the wrong configuration without considering the possibility of collision. Given that this has never happened before, it's not unreasonable to fail to consider this possibility when outside the door of the plane, ready to go. Certainly, this incident will be discussed widely, and hopefully jumpers will be encouraged to abort a skydive when presented with unfavorable positioning of the aircraft. i believe this will put an end to any conclusions that have been percieved. (hopefully) the dzo's are kewel people, this could have happned anywhere. airann's "mentor program" may be of some help. good luck. Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

go to skydivehouston.com check out the aircraft, the dz is in waller. i jump there all the time, i live 17 miles to your south. do youself a favor and quit jumping that 64 cessna, 30 minute climbing to altitude piece of junk. i'd be more worried about that plane, than what has happned in fentress. as for a mentor, "forget about it" hire yourself a coach, you be somone's mentor! always reach for a higher level. i'm in the range you are as well, i'll jump with you, but i'm no mentor, but there are people at waller who will help anyway they can. ask around when you get there, i'll be there tomorrow, peace! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

"Yeah easier said than done - check out the muscle memory post - when you are that low - you just dump out - its automatic - easy to say on the ground go for reserve - you wait to you see that "GROUNDRUSH" at 800ft......... you just dump.......... no thought about it......... you gotta be very switched on to go for your reserve in that situation - unless you make the plan to go for your reserve before hand .......... but thats just crazzzzzzzzzy........... ;op" it troubles me that you utilize the word "groundrush" in your posts. be careful, it can mean various things to young individuals in our sport. low pulling is dangerous, that's a proven fact, there's really no excuse for it. you can "justify" it all you want, but you can't say, and be truthful with yourself that it's safe. Merry Christmas: Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

Tom: that is a very wonderful sentiment. i'm lutheran (we can do all kinds of bad things, and still be forgiven for them) i always wear my saint christopher necklace, and won't jump without it. i always recite the apostles creed before every jump. it's nice to know, should the next sky dive you do, could always be the last sane thing you do, at least your at peace with your creator. i don't necessarily "worry" about anything happening, but you should always plan for the unexpected, physically, mentally and spiritually. taht was way kewel you shared that, it speaks well of you. peace. Blue Skies, Hot Days! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend" Merry Christmas Every One!

Zennie: he's a "poser" he's trying to get Joe Weider's attention, maybe a "Mr. O" candidate? he does have that "wash board" thing going on though, i think i hate him! i've been wondering if he's the D.Z. mascot or something or the other myself. Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

zennie: all of the above, and everything you forgot! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

lisa: this is an evil prank right? i went to her profile, sent her a message, she wants me, now what? i gave her slappie, zennie, and ramon's e-mail addys! J/K! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

wingnut: you go boy! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

touche~ Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

LMMFAO at mountanman!! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

what the hell did we miss? Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

Traditionally swoopers and freefliers are usually not on the top of the food change, when it comes to reason. They shoud be, those aren't exactly the safest disciplines. But, that is why you need to consider the crowd. ------------------------------------------------ what the hell kind of crack is that, especially with a screen name like yours! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

Andrea: how'd it go? give us the goods! hope it went well! Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"

Emmie: do yourself a favor, go to this forum, or another, there's hundreds of them, and buy your self used equipment for your first rig. you'll outgrow it, if you jump a lot, in less than six months, so you don't want to have a lot invested. (have a master rigger check it out first!!) i wished i would have done it this way, but noooooo. now i'm already on my third brand new TRIATHLON, but with the same Javelin J-4 container, which i of couse had customized with stainless steel hardware, and articulating chest and hip rings, which was a great idea, $400.00 extra. now, i'm stuck with this rig, when i want an oddyssy (sp?) and downsize my main once more. having said all that, i have $5500.00 initial investment, now two mains that i cant get a third of what i paid for them new (there'e custom colored as well, gotta have every thing color coordinated ya know) i'm still trying to sell them, i downsized after 64 jumps the first time, didn't go small enough. if i had to do it over again, i'd buy my first rig used, and outgrow it, sell it, and then by that time, i'd be set on what i want for the long haul, because when you buy it new, it devaluates a half of what you've originally invested the very first sky dive. hope this provides some insight. interested in a used TRIATHLON? it's in the main canopy section in the classifieds here on dropzone.com as far as financing, only an individual would "maybe" do it for you, no dz or pro shop, unless you have "plastic" but then, it's not really "yours" anyway. when i bought all my equipment, it was cash on the barrell head, mine, all mine! but, i've outgrown it :( Richard "Gravity Is My Friend"