JohnMitchell

True

Yep. just being a stickler on terms. E is controlled but open to all VFR activity, skydiving included.

Class D and E are both controlled, but VFR activities such as skydiving are allowed. Class D airspace is within a 5 statute mile radius of an airport with a control tower, up to 2500' AGL. Permission from the tower is required for parachuting activity. Class E airspace in just about everywhere else. No permission is needed, just contact ATC for traffic advisories prior to each jump. Class B airspace, around major airports, requires all kinds of special permission. We jumped in Class B airspace for years. I have story or two about that. Any good pilot should know the type of airspace his flight is in and who to contact for air traffic control services.

Nobody ever told her it was the wrong way. . .

Oooo, duct tape. . . . I like.

Damn, all our rigs are packed. Maybe if I jump tomorrow I can make a video. If I do make one, I'll post it here.

Yes, if there is a slider, that's where it needs to be . . . and nicely exposed to the airflow.

And I'm sure you missed that big ass f-ing cloud underneath you by the FAA required 2000' lateral clearance.

Left and right lines split. Yes, the nose is against your body. Left hand grabs all the lines together in front of you, right hand pulls the canopy 90 degrees right to flake the nose. After you flake, you make that big sweeping PULL to stretch out the canopy from nose to tail. Then tuck the nose between your legs to control it, release the lines from the left hand, pull the back edge of the slider away from you with the left hand, reach in and flake with the right hand. It's magic.

I don't usually get into gear discussions because I'm not up on it too much, but the Spectres seem to be getting the same rep as the Sabre1. V likes her Fusion; soft openings, light toggle pressure and nice flare.

If you're Pro Packing (the standing up way most people use) I have a tip that really helps me out. When I flake my canopy nose at the beginning, I put the left and right lines on separate shoulders with my head in the middle and the slider in front of me, at the top of the lines/base of the canopy. Flake the nose as you usually do and stretch the canopy. Then, with the nose between your knees, grab the back edge of the slider, farthest away from you, and pull it outward away from you. Peer down past the front edge of the slider and you'll see the bottom of your canopy split left and right and all the line groups separated from front to rear. Reach in with your other hand and flake the cloth between the line groups towards the outside. After that you may put both line groups over one shoulder, flake your slider and tail, wrap it up and you're ready to lay it down. I came up with the idea of splitting the line groups and using the slider as a tool when I first started pro packing and was getting lost in the canopy while flaking. It makes it so fast and easy I feel like I'm cheating. I've taught a few others to do it this way. I'm not sure why more people don't do it.

Good stuff there. Thanks for sharing it.

I know a guy who's a quadrapelegic after breaking his neck jumping from a hard opening on a Spectre 150. Whatever is wrong, get it fixed. I'd say contact the manufacturer.

Never been sober when I've seen those guys play. Yep, good choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISmgOrhELXs One bourbon, one scotch and one beer.-- George and the Destroyers.

I'll be drinkin' and watchin'.

The Rat Pack for the Hangover. Sheer Genius. Dean Martin would have rocked it. I liked Frank Zappa for the big Lebowski too.

I had to take 8 months off for shoulder surgery and rehab. I was hoping to feel that FJ fear. It was like I had never been gone.

Cool. Still remember what all the handles do?

You still jumping?

Well a couple of us DizzyCommers were busy skiing today. I was up at headquarters doing paperwork.

Double perfect. Send it to her in an email.

Thanks. Interesting. I would have painted that thing bright orange, wouldn't you? I think they could have picked better weather, including winds aloft, for the mission, but that is cool. I've worked a number of high altitude balloon missions over the years. It's an interesting profile.

Damn, I just checked. I've been here since Jan. 2003, one month ahead of you, Billy. However, I've only made less than half the posts you have.

Video was out of service. Sounds like he hoisted a glider using a helium balloon. That would be some real rocket science to ascend a model aircraft that high on engine power.