JohnMitchell

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content

    19,322

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Feedback

    0%

Everything posted by JohnMitchell

  1. JohnMitchell
    It's been a few years but I've carried on in Mexico.
  2. JohnMitchell
    As long as we're on the subject, does everyone know NOT to stand behind a DC-3 when they are starting the engines?
  3. JohnMitchell
    Damn, think that goes for the Lost Prairie portapotties? I hope not.
  4. JohnMitchell
    I've used them too. They've done well for me so far. However, a few years back our son had his PP account drained after PP let someone else change the password. Lost several hundred $$. PP refused to make good on their screwup.
  5. JohnMitchell
    Then so is cliff diving. Naw, I'd say that's closer to gymnastics or aerial trapeze. Definitely a water sport.
  6. JohnMitchell
    You could very well be right. I've seen peeps with 100s of jumps that didn't know how to disassemble/reassemble their 3 rings, or at least didn't trust themselves to do it correctly.
  7. JohnMitchell
    No. Even if it is a problem, the number of people getting hurt by running into obstacles vs people who get hurt by turning low isn't remotely comparable. Good analysis there. It's better to hit an obstacle while in control and flaring than it is to make a radical low turn and slam into the ground next to the obstacle. But we preach "no low turns" so much that some low timers seem hesitant to do even the gentle turns and corrections needed for good landings. Those skills need to be learned.
  8. JohnMitchell
    This is what keeps me on mine. As a working AFF instructor, I get my share of long spots. I don't need a weird opening, ground loving crossed brace to complicate my job.
  9. JohnMitchell
    "Oooh Wouldn't you want to be an Oscar Meyer Weiner?"
  10. JohnMitchell
    I shudda knowed better.
  11. JohnMitchell
    Fake news? Well thank goodness. Unfortunately the story was gross, not funny. I think I'll stick to The Onion.
  12. JohnMitchell
    Great post. My tandem and AFF students all get briefed on propeller safety, both in the class and on the walk to the plane. Respect those props, running or not, always.
  13. JohnMitchell
    Judge? No, I wouldn't want such a flaccid post. I'm up to it.
  14. JohnMitchell
    I have a similar story with HP. I did a softwear upgrade recommended by them and started having trouble. Called the bastards and, after signing up for a $99 service plan, HP talked me thru the fix. I've had problems since but know how to do it myself now. No, I'm not the most tech savvy guy. . .
  15. JohnMitchell
    Damn, that's quick.
  16. JohnMitchell
    Good to hear. Keep is safeish.
  17. JohnMitchell
    Amazing, isn't it?
  18. JohnMitchell
    That's equivalent to about 2700 feet per minute, an easily exceeded rate of descent in a jump plane. Now, whether are not you want to be at that rate below 1000' AGL, I don't know.
  19. JohnMitchell
    What I was trained, sit tight, don't touch your reserve handle if it's metal, and wait for help, but warn anyone approaching (including DZ staff) not to come close until the utility people can be called in to ensure the power is cut. Keep in mind I'm a newbie, but that means my training is fresh in my head.
  20. JohnMitchell
    After a while, not only will you not miss it, but you'll wonder how you ever could stand it.
  21. JohnMitchell
    There is no buzzing of tandems at our DZ. However, we do share a common landing area. Ours is the only DZ in our area that permits wingsuiting, and we have a large contingent of them. We'll have to continue to work with them. My only safety issue so far has been if they should have to chop above me and traffic in the landing area. Our DZ rule is "tandems have right-of-way" but you don't want to be "dead right".
  22. JohnMitchell
    If there is a iFly wind tunnel close by, they have a STEM class available for school children. I occasionally teach those classes at iFlySeattle. There's classroom time, some cool science experiments we do in the wind tunnel, and then the kids all get a 1 minute flight in the tunnel. It's a great way to let them experience "skydiving". Plus the above posts about making toy parachutes, etc. are very good.
  23. JohnMitchell
    The idiots are taking over... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czx2p-GHBhk
  24. JohnMitchell
    I hope you can send an @$$hole or two to jail for that, and that it makes national news. WTF is wrong with drivers that they would do that? My old neighborhood had a great bike trail, physically separated from car traffic. My new neighborhood has bike lines painted on the side of the road. I spend much time cruising on the empty sidewalks because of idiot drivers like those.
  25. JohnMitchell
    Or turbine DZs with AFF and tandem on the same load. I do spend a bit of time steering way clear of students. Luckily their landing area is about 1/3 mile from mine. Lots of separation on final.