JohnMitchell

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Everything posted by JohnMitchell

  1. JohnMitchell
    I gotta kind of go with this. I see that he never takes women, just men. Smart move there. I'd have a hard time trusting him too much, though. When I owned rental property and had to screen prospective tenants, I was shocked to see who had felony convictions.
  2. JohnMitchell
    Sure, you're correct. But you certainly aren't required to be TI qualified (500 jumps, 3 years) to jump a tandem rig solo.
  3. JohnMitchell
    Sounds like an examiner that needs his rating yanked. Is this a U.S. dz? Because those are willful violations of the FARs. We're not talking pissing off the USPA, we're talking big fines and loss of all kinds of licenses.
  4. JohnMitchell
    NERD!!!! We need nerds like this.
  5. JohnMitchell
    Yes, they are. It's almost all on-the-job training or simulator training. With that said, there are a few poor instructors with harsh training methods (drill instructor mentality, etc.) that have to be reined in, but that's what supervisors are for. But it basically boils down to "can you do the job?"
  6. JohnMitchell
    Good to hear that. Maybe I was wrong in my earlier post.
  7. JohnMitchell
    That sucks. I have many friends that have worn the Ranger tab. To guarantee someone will graduate cheapens what it means and weakens the fighting force. Women are wonderful, women are great, many are tough as hell, but no one should be "given" the Ranger tab. It should always be earned, at a very high price. In my old job as an air traffic controller, they washed out 2/3rds of my class in the first 12 weeks in Oklahoma City. We then went to our assigned facilities where they washed out another 20% or so. Talk about inspirational. How hard will you work to make it? How hard will you push yourself to do the job to the best of your ability? Unfortunately too many people had their feelings hurt and they changed it to "Train to succeed." The washout rate at the Academy took a nose dive and turned out many weak air traffic control students who felt they were owed a job. We spent years washing them out eventually. But I don't think the Rangers have time for that when the $hit hits the fan.
  8. JohnMitchell
    Doh! Pretty expensive bad spot, a whole DC-10 load of retardant. BTW, that's not too far from Skydive Chelan, a Cessna DZ in Central WA. I heard the smoke has them shut down for a while.
  9. JohnMitchell
    Okay, I'll admit to this one yesterday. I was not the one who trained the kid and it was a hot turn. I'll hammer the body position thing a little harder (esp. hands on harness) next time.
  10. JohnMitchell
    "student not good handle" Oh shit!
  11. JohnMitchell
    I'm saying you can do that anytime you want. There have been extremely large people make their first jump on a tandem rig set up with a static line. I do recommend weight training, esp. for upper body strength. I've known many female tandem masters. They were all very competent, but one or two had trouble flaring. Work on those lat pull downs.
  12. JohnMitchell
    Of course, those are the requirements to become a tandem master. But to just jump the rig with no one on front? She could certainly do that now.
  13. JohnMitchell
    I'm afraid it will meet with resistance because that will put a belt or two within the reach of the door. It will also require retraining all the jumpers. Also, most people feel that they've met the legal requirement, so why bother? Most of them have never been in a forced landing. Another point I'd like to bitch about. When the seating is on the floor of the plane, some people sit down and lay out like they are in a Lazy Boy recliner. Hey, you're taking up enough room for two people and jamming everyone else up. You're the reason I can't reach a seatbelt after closing the door. Sit up straight and quit being so self centered.
  14. JohnMitchell
    I'm glad for your students. But will you be able to get the other instructors on board with this? It can be confusing to students when they are taught different ways at the same school.
  15. JohnMitchell
    Some of the seat belt systems are little better than nothing. Sitting on the floor and reaching behind to grab the two pieces of seatbelt and thread it thru my main lift web, I realize I'll fling 4-5 feet forward in any accident before I stop. I'm not sure what my injuries will be after that. It's one more great reason to wear your helmet. While we're on that one, sticking your helmet on your head is not fastening it down for take off. Sticking your helmet on your head and fastening the chin strap is.
  16. JohnMitchell
    This right here. A good exit is all about proper presentation and a good arch. Always remember that when you first exit, you're not falling straight down, but ACROSS the ground. "Straight Down" is somewhere towards the forward horizon. Usually about a 45 degree angle to the horizon is good for most jump run speeds.
  17. JohnMitchell
    She calls him John? Now . . . I have big feet, but still . . . Ain't happy about that. I think "Billy" would be better.
  18. JohnMitchell
    I like the sound of that. And it works right into the mantis position. Now, if I can get management and a DZ full of instructors to change. . .
  19. JohnMitchell
    I like those kinds of places, good and funky and funny.
  20. JohnMitchell
    [hijack] We still use ripcords for our students and we too teach to throw away the main ripcord before cutaway AND to throw away both handles. When we had ripcords for mains, we taught to throw away the main handle before cutaways. Pretty standard stuff there.
  21. JohnMitchell
    You lucky lucky bastard You too, Squeaka. Just quit visiting in the middle of winter.
  22. JohnMitchell
    Yes! Base jumpers start with even less airspeed and they are very careful with their presentation. It DOES make a difference. I'm 10-for-10 face to earth on cutaways using these techniques. A friend of mine with many more cutaways, many of them intentional test cutaways, gives the same advice on body position.
  23. JohnMitchell
    Aww, thanks for the high praise. Like we were talking the other day, many, many ways to make turns. I don't mind the tunnel teaching their way to any of my students. I actually use the techniques they teach as well. Always good transference of skills. See ya after we get back from LP. Vskydiver wants to jump with you.
  24. JohnMitchell
    Mind if I say "I completely agree!"?
  25. JohnMitchell
    Known jumpers with known skills I have no problem.