aironscott

Stratostar- I don't like the options on this poll. Sometimes I hook because i want to. More often than not I double break it. Both can be done successfully by an experienced pilot. I usually cringe when I see a relatively inexperienced tandem I hook it in. I've seen more than a few fuck that up. But some people can "hook it" early in their tandem (successfully)career cuz of their previous experience. What I think your poll is missing is the option to land however the hell you want option. The options on the poll seem to be leading towards against hooking it in on a tandem. That may skew your results. Having worked with tandem I's from 0 to 10,000 tandem jumps I can only gather one thing... we all have our own way and not any way works for everyone. BSBD AAron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Not to rain on anyone's parade but I like standing out on the step with my students out of a cessna. My right hand is on my handles throughout the climb out and exit to ensure that there are no handles being prematurely pulled. I concur that if you are not aware of your handles when you are jostling about you could be inviting the potential for problems, but if you are diligent in your handle management, the risks for potential problems can be minimized. My point? Do what you're going to do, just do it safely. Hell, I've exited Skyvans, Otters, KAs, Porters, you name it insuch a way that would make a Cessna exit look like pancakes (no pun intended). Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Mel- That is a golden reference! Thanks for sharing that with me. I owe you one (more). I played with the numbers for a couple of hours the other day, cross referenced it with some of PD's trim charts, some other reference materials and came to the conclusion that you spent some time making that spreadsheet right. I tend to be a bit techincal like you taught me to be. Again Thanks! I'd PM you with with this praise but I hope that those that don't know you can read my testimony to your knowledge........I love you man......I'd like to think that I could come up with that on my own, but I didn't, and you did. Any chance you came up with the B- line length? I'll be your best friend when you do. Blues, Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

We do At least any AFFI (or any I for that matter) worth their salt does. Being an AFF SL/l IAD/I doesn't mean that your job is over once you graduate your students. And few Is, if any, operate in such a manner that make their students feel like they are on their own after they get their USPA licenses. You bring up a great point about advise attained on dz.com. NOBODY knows a young jumper's skills better than their own instructors. Therefore any said young jumper should trust their former instructors 100 times more than anything that they read on this open forum. Who can say that anyone giving advise here has the credentials to do so. Just cuz in their profile it says that they are qualified? I don't think so. And what instructor worth anything can evaluate your skills honestly over the internet having never seen or jumped with you. My advise is to stick to the people that know you and have been jumping with you. Be wary of the advise from anyone that has more dz.com posts than jumps (no offense to any of you superposters unless I mean it). And if you have difficulty determining what advise is correct....use your commen sense. That usually is the best determiner of the proper course of action. Above all be safe, there are plenty of people near you that can help you accomplish your goals in this sport. Just don't do anything stupid. Aaron btw - just cuz I don't have a lot of posts doesn't mean that I know what I'm talking about either. “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Steve- Using the right machine for the right job is a good idea. My canopy machine is a light duty, high speed, needle feed machine. I think that in a former life it made panties and bras so it smells good too. But having dedicated machines that do the jobs they are designed for is best. Not everyone can find or afford to stock their lofts with everything that they might need so sometimes it is important to have a machine or two that can be flexible enough to do a variety of jobs. Knowing how to set up machines with different feed dogs, feet, foot pressure, etc. just takes a little time and research to learn. Or you can just call Mel every few minutes like I do. Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Mel- I would love for you to sit and sew on a Bernina. When you get the chance to do so, you will not be dissappointed. I promise. You know how we all like 7-33s for harness work? I have the same fondness for Bernina 304 and 308's(if you can find one). They rock. Here is what I already have on the mc-4. I've got manuals and trim charts. What I am looking for is a schematic that tells me exactly where to attach b and d lines to the a's and c's and how long they should be and how long to make the control lines. According to some of my people they make great big boy base canopies. If you have that info and can send it to me I'll be your best friend. Denny Crane Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Mel- Good machines are worth their weight in gold. No doubt. The Pfaff Zig Zaggers are good. But if someone wants to get a machine that will stand up to the test I have to say that the Bernina 217 is the way to go. If I could only have one machine in my shop (and luckily I don't have to make that choice) I would choose a Bernina. Its probably a geographical thing, meaning that a lot of us on the left coast have them, but they seem to be bullit proof. Finding either a Pfaff or a Bernina can be a daunting task, so if someone is looking for one and there is one available, get it! Just be careful that if you are ebay bidding please try not to jack the price up on a fellow rigger. Denny Crane P.S. Any chance that you have any mc-4's in your loft that you can measure lines (and cascades, and break settings) on? I have a bunch of canopies sans lines and a bunch of flat dacron but I need a schematic on the line sets. Para Frieght doesn't quite give me the info on how to properly make a line set. “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Mel - I'd lke to back you up on this one. When I had the loft in eloy we did a bunch of tests with Triathalons and wing suit deployments. Mostly because my bros all had wing suits and were trying to dial in triathlons cuz they're square. Being that the trim is stable on vectran lines and that wingsuit jumps deploy at sub-terminal speeds we determined that vectran was superior for that type of jump. Now we can debate the virtues of static, streatch, shrinking lines all day long but (as you know) they all have their place depending on what we want out of a line and canopy. Its a great thing that we have the options to choose! Cya Aaron p.s. you're my hero “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

I'll go a step farther. Dave's absolutely correct in saying that go with what they know. (I think that's what you mean). And especially if they are being taught proper belly free fall position (mantis). If your student already knows and has performed to that level why would you want to regress them to a boxman position? Its a little like training students to pull a ripcord spring loaded pilot chute when you know good and well that their first jump off of student status will be with a throw out. Why not teach them the proper course to begin with? Thoughts Todak? Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

For a holder I just take a wire coat hanger and bend it around and attach it to the table where I'm going to use it. Ghetto but effective. I would sometimes like to have a basting tip. I haven't found one yet that will work for the DJ hot knife. If anyone out there has any ideas please let me know. Thanks, Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Here is one from DJ that is much less expensive and works every bit as well as the Para Gear one. In fact, I've had and run across a few nonfunctioning PG hot knives, but I've only had to replace tips on the ones from DJ. http://djassociates.thomasnet.com/viewitems/hot-cutters/heavy-duty-hand-cutter?&forward=1 Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Congrats Ben! What you have done is joined a community of DeWolf deciples. You are now in rarified air (no pun intended.) As they told you many times in the course, you now have a license to learn. Take that to heart. Really. You have access to all kinds of talented and knowledgable riggers in the DeWolf network. But make no mistake about it. You now have a toolbelt. Over the next couple of years you will have the opportunity to add tools to that belt. Never pass up the opportunity to obtain knowledge(tools) from those that are around you. Harness good, block out bad. When you have questions (and you will) and no matter how small they may be, Call someone and ask for help. I do. Aaron Scott and although I would not place myself anywhere near the catagory of Dave, Mel, Sandy, Wierd Wayne, Mahoney, etc. you can contact me with any questions you may have and I will help as best I can. “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Congrats Terry! I too am a DeWolf deciple and initially respect those that learn from the master. The Handsome One is (in my mind) the best trainer of riggers on the planet. One of the great things about Dave is that he is alwayse learning as well as teaching. When I had the loft in Eloy he came in and looked over my operation. His quote was "you've done well" I felt like Skywalker being complimented by OB1. I've never had a higher compliment in this industry. At the same time he asked some questions about what I do and honestly discussed my solutions to things I am good at. I still count on the network of DeWolf people to find proper info when I need it. Mel Lancaster (hopefully) will carry the torch when Handsome decides to hang it up. DeWolf's impact on the parachute rigging community may never be fully appreciated. He is the man. And YOU are the man for going through the master. Again Congrats on your Master ticket. Aaron Scott “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Right here bro. PM Sent Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Mel- Thanks for passing that info on. It only makes sense that making the nylotron more plyable would make it easier to sew through. I'll be trying that on the next rig I build. My double needle doesn't seem to care what it goes through but I have often tried to find a better way to sew through the plastic. Thanks! Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Although I could not agree with you more that there are positives to learning at both large and small dz's I would send anyone (everyone if I could) to Eloy to learn. I did work there for a couple of years so I may be biased, but I have never been to a dz that took the time to teach the way SDAZ does. The school there is separate from the dz. It allows the instructors (who are full time) to dedicate their time to their students. At smaller dzs the loads are tied in to what the student's time table is. At Eloy you just get on the next available airplane. What this means is that you never have to rush your student to the airplane. What a luxury! SDAZ is an excellent place to send your friends, family, whomever to do a tandem, but it is also an incredible place to learn how to skydive. “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Travis- Yeah when Steve and Maria had that place it was kick ass. When R and R took over we all knew that its days were numbered (unfortunately). Lots of good times out there in Brush. Steve and Maria were so good running a dz. I'll never forget the flaming footie games, cardinal puff, Maria's cooking. What a fun time! “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Hookitt- You are right. Lots of people have successfully used Lodi loops over the years. When a friend of mine showed it to me (trying to show me this cool and groovy latest and greatest thing) I thought it was an interesting way to solve problems for poor rigging technique - but I would never use one. And adamantly council anyone against it who does. What really caught my attention on the one I mentioned earlier was the fact that it was only secured with a single overhand knot and also was only routed through one of the cypres grommet holes. Not even as much as a tail or a melted end. Black death waiting to happen. WOW. You should have seen the reaction when I showed it off around the loft. Between the three of us we had about 30 years rigging experience and we agreed that it was if not the scariest, then was top 3 of scariest things we'd ever seen in rigging. Blues- Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

On the 10.5" tandem loop, the top two grommets were at least an inch apart and the Reserve flap could not cover the pin. Funny part about the 6" Javelin loop was that the reserve PC wasn't sitting up hardly at all. The pack job was so bulky (wrinkly) that the sides of the reserve container sat up almost that high. This wasn't the only problem I had with this rig. There were a total of 7 no go's on that one. You just never know what you're going to find next! “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

How about freakiest rigs? This last year I pulled a 10.5" closing loop out of a Vector Tandem, a 6"closing loop out of a Javelin, and a Lodi loop out of a Vector II sport rig. Not only was it a Lodi loop, but it was secured to the Cypres grommet with a single overhand knot and no tail! They were all from seperate riggers that I won't name but the Lodi loop came from a DPRE's loft somewhere in Arizona but not from the DPRE himself. “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

I haven't found any place that feels more like home than Eloy yet Ditto! “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Nate- Thank you for making my point for me. What you are saying (and correct me if I am mistaken) is that because you read on this web site that 45 makes no sense, and even though your instructors in FL told you it is a good rule of thumb, you believe that the people posting that information to this website are right and your local instructors are wrong. Great idea. The fact of the matter is that while no rule is absolutely correct, the 45 degree thing is a great place to start when determining proper separation. It is not always applicable but let's look at it. Most skydivers can't spot unless the light is on. But their ego tells them that they know exactly where they are (So does mine). And most non-cessna experienced, turbine dz jumpers, short spot. Now - if the uppers are honking at say 50 and you tell the next stick to wait 25 seconds, they frequently don't make it much past 10. If you tell them to wait until there is a 45 degree angle of separation, they are much more likely to wait to climb out until there really is some actual separation. You don't often hear this kind of information on this web site because most people that have this knowledge are a) busy jumping (or rigging) and don't have time for this internet crap b) so disgusted from what they read on dz.com that they want no part of it c) hate posting to dz.com cuz some dipshit with more posts than jumps will claim to be the expert on whatever subject is being discussed. or d) just figures that when you come to their dz they will be happy to help you face to face. There are a lot of good intentions here on dz.com. But the reality is that there is a ton of crap here and words should not be taken as gospel just because someone voices their opinion on the internet. Be safe and have fun. Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

I just tell my students to ignore anything that they read on dropzone.com. Most of the time that solves the problem of getting crappy advice. “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Steve- What kind of machine did you get? I'm happy for you that you finally got one. Please email me if you have any questions. btw - how is college professoring going? I was down in Eloy for the world meet last month and your name came up often (in a good way). Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

Roy- I don't think that anyone is complaining about you whining on this thread. There are a lot of people here boasting about how much *free* coaching they do. These are generally people that don't count on skydiving income to pay the rent (and they mostly have prefaced their statements with that being said). You're poll responses here are skewed a bit because you will not get many full time instructors posting responses. Most of them don't give a crap about what is said on this web site. We get called "skygods" and "burnouts" and whatever else, from skydivers that have never made the sacrifices that it takes to be a professional skydiving instructor. But that's a different topic.... So here are my thoughts on "free" coaching. When the day is done and I have no more paying jumps (tandem, AFF, Coaching) to do I am more than happy to do AFF, Coaching, Tandems, with people that are associated with the DZ. It could be the packers, the manifest people, the pilot, the DZO's kids, whatever. As long as it doesn't cost me any out of pocket expense or paying jumps, I'm usually in. At least as long as I haven't started drinking beer yet. I may have totally misread you though. if you are simply asking for some free coach jumps I'm coming down this weekend. I'd thought that we'd jumped together enough already, but if you feel the need for some coaching......I'm always here for you bro - free of charge I'll even pull if you want to do a tandem See you Saturday aaron “God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”