Ron

Yep, Im wrong. I remember the harness shift and just incorrectly remembered the reason. to be honest I have a hard time imagining another reason for a properly sized and worn rig twisting that much..Not that I do not believe Rick didn't have it on right, but I ask cause I wonder how it happend. Maybe the rig was not designed for him, or it was a bad fit? And my point is they can also kill someone that did everything right. For both outcomes yes they are low, but BOTH can happen, not just one. Yep, and like I have said before I never tell people not to use them. I tell them to know both sides prove they can handle a "normal" mal and then make a personal choice. I just want them to know both sides. And I fail to see how that is bad advice. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The guy had a screw loose. He had some serious issues. Shame he died, worse that he took the girl with him. But she had a choice and made it as well. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The thing is it does not matter *what* the cartoon was. Islam does not permit renditions of Allah. This is a religion where only a few people are allowed to interpret the Koran. Anyone else that does it is sentanced to death in many places. Of course thats not much different than Christainity in some places at different times. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Sorry I meant that I doubt that the politicians actually paid attention. I know there are studies, but I bet that most folks on the hill vote based one what is popular, not based on science. I still could be wrong though. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well I feel stupid. I planned a day of free 4way coaching at Skydive Dallas as payback for sponsoring the team. It was the only weekend I had open. Well, about Friday I noticed a big screen TV in the back of a truck and thought, "Cool, that guy just got a big screen TV"....Then I saw another and thought, "Wow, must be a good sale somewhere!". After the 3rd,4th, and 5th big 'ol TV's driving down the interstate...I started to think something was up....Then it hit me that the last time I saw that was the SuperBowl last year. Well one team got a full free day just for them.

True, but its more fun to blame me for not knowing what day the superbowl was "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well, I picked a bad day. Who knew the 5th was superbowl sunday? Both my favorite teams are not in it...so I didn't care. One team showed and they had a full day of free coaching. Stay tuned for more fun stuff. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

As some have said...120 days legally. I know of some jumped after a year with no problems. But the real answer is this. Why bother? It takes a few mins to repack it and rest your mind. And at 62 jumps its best to feel good about your gear after a long layoff. Also, if it is going to be a long time....Check into taking the main out and putting it in a dry, dark place to protect it. Ask a rigger the best way to store a canopy for a long period. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Its the "new?" OS with the blue head. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHGN9&P=0 1.9 HP vs 1.8 for the normal OS .50. It costs more (209.99 vs 149.99), but people here swear by it and they have a 30.00 rebate. Since I know nothing about helis....I walked into the LHS (who I trust) and said, "Look, I don't know what I am doing with heli's, but I trust you. Give me some good stuff that you think is a good deal." He gave me a 9103, some DS811's, a 401 Gyro with the wiz bang Futaba Digital servo, and a Venture .50 that was hanging on the ceiling with a normal OS.50 in it. I got the radio for 610.00, the Heli and engine for 150.00, the Gyro for 201.00 "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I think that the solution is be much harder on people that drink and drive above the limit. I know lots of folks that got caught and really nothing happend. And if involved in an accident...Well it should be harder to just pay fines and move out. Like tons of comunity service. No clue...I'd like to think that some studies were done. But I doubt it. Maybe at first, but then law makers wanted to save everyone and lowered it. I think the solution is pretty simple. Don't drink and drive....Period. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I like theway the Raptor works....Then again I am kinda a sick puppy. If you have the EVO...Well that says something to me...Not sure what, but something Seriously, if you like the EVO that about settles it for me. Your sea plane is sweet. I am SO tempted to get the new GP seawind. But to be honest I don't have a place to fly it...So Im kinda safe right now. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Failure to train is a bigger factor. Maybe not in Ricks case, but in most. Folks who trust a device over training are a gigantic danger. Folks like Rick who train all the time AND have the cool toys are not. Then why do you argue the RSL is perfect so often when I point out the problems it can create? I don't go around saying that people should not jump them...In fact I say the opposite, but I want people to know they are not perfect and can in fact kill you...But you ALWAYS jump in and claim I am saying something I am not. Thats a simple fact. If you NEED them to jump you are dependant on them...Thats fact. No matter what you think, if you NEED "A" to do "B" you are dependant on "A". You could try to debate if thats bad, but not that its a fact. I DEPEND on my main to work, but I have a reserve. I DEPEND on my harness to not fall apart, but I check it for wear. I DEPEND on my rigger to pack my reserve so I don't just hand it to anyone to pack. And it is a simple fact that some people have to have an AAD or RSL to allow them to jump. I think thats a bad mindset. I have an AAD, but I will jump without it since I don't DEPEND on it since I train like my life depends on my abilities (and in fact one of my rigs does not have an AAD and I jump it a bunch). That is a much safer person than someone who just has an AAD and will not jump without it. In fact if you bothered to ever read my claims about a RSL (Even in THIS THREAD) I have said a bunch of times: And So I have always tried to remind folks that RSL's are not always going to save you, RSL's CAN kill you, and proper training should be the main focus over safety toys. Hell I even tell people to jump them till they have experienced a malfunction. Now, go try and twist those words into something else. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I very rarely agree with RL. But on this I agree 100% The problem with drugs of any type is that: 1. The impairment starts at the first dose. 2. Some people are better able to handle the effects than others. A 40 year old that has been driving for 24 years and been drinking for 19 will handle it better than a 21 year old on his first big night out. 3. And the really big problem: As John said "Well, the first thing alcohol seems to impair is judgement, so the drunker you get, the better you think you can drive" So drunks think they are fine to drive. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hell, its fun when you could skydive. It does not matter to me if I go to the DZ, flying field, or airport to fly full scale. Everything else you said I agree with 100%. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Both. Helis are more fun *for me* since I have been doing planes for so long. They are also more expensive and harder to fly. Just this past week I put almost 70.00 bucks into my heli, and I didn't even crash it. A part just wore out and since I had it apart I replaced the parts it interfaced with. Having said that planes kept me excited for about 20 years and I still enjoy my planes and fly them when I can. They are a little harder to transport and while I have a 5 X 10 foot trailer I take them to the field in...I don't have a trailer hitch on my new car yet so they have not seen much air. Plus the heli's are new and shiney to me. Great question....My opinion I would say its better to learn planes first since there is a ton of MX on heli's, setting up a heli is still hard for me, heli's are harder to fly, heli's are more expensive to buy and to crash (OK, *crashing* does not cost any more than a plane, but *Fixing* costs a bunch more). You can get a good plane trainer with everything for about 400. A heli will be much closer to 1,000. Having said that I know a few guys that have never flown a plane and a few other heli guys that have just started to fly planes. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

New (over here) from JR. I doubt I will get it since it is new, and I know very little about Heli's. But one just showed up at the LHS and the owner offered me test pilot price....Which means I build it and he and the other hotshots get to fly it. The other two options are a Raptor from a kit (about 400 bucks, unless I get the blinged out SE, which I don't know if I really need). Or a buddies used Sceadu EVO. He will sell me the Sceadu for 200.00 and I could then get it and the Hyper .50 for the same price as a Rappy kit. I have been told: 1. A .50 will be able to do more things than I can do, so I have plenty of time to stick with a .50. 2. .50's cost less to buy. 3. .50's cost less to fix. 4. .50's cost less to run. 5. A .50 with a Hyper in it has about the same power to weight as a good .90. Is any of that wrong? Yes, JR 9103. It seems that the Sceadu and Rappy are about the same...And about the same as PD vs. Aerodyne. BTW whats woof and poof? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

OK heli pilots. Question. Raptor .50 or Sceadu .50? Maybe the new Skyskipper? Although since I hate being the kid on the block with the new toy its at the bottom....But at least it will not kill me if it sucks. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

More importantly, did you get an email from the DZ about tomorrow? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes they do, and I always tell people to KNOW both sides and them make a choice. Problem is that there are still people that think RSL's are perfect. I know people that think an RSL and AAD is a license to not train. Like I said before, I see people spend tons of money and time on freefall coaching, but very little on the life saving stuff. In fact my advice on RSL's has ALWAYS been keep one till you have your first mal. Then *IF* you pulled both handles, make a choice. If you didn't pull both, then do some pushups, retrain like hell, and keep jumping an RSL till you pull both handles. But some people seem to think that an RSL is magical and will will save them if they are stupid. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I started flying when my dad got me a plane for my 13th birthday, 20 years ago. Ironicly, the only time I really never flew RC was when I was in Raeford in the Army. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And you still fail to read or know the whole story, but think you understand everything. Rick made several mistakes that lead to that RSL story. One was wearing his harness so lose that it could shift. He even admits that. I find it very funny that you are on the fence with airbags, but hold onto an RSL like its the holy grail. So only devices YOU approve of are OK? I think you still have tons to learn about skydiving. I do too. But I listen to others who have much more experince than me...Not argue for the sake of arguing. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

As an aside, but related question. Did you change your cutaway procedures? If so, how do you feel about it? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well had an exciting day. Flew 7 or 8 flights with my venture and had a blast. The exciting part. Had my first Auto. Everyone told me that my Venture with the wood blades does not auto very well, so I should wait to practice till I get my next heli. Anyway a guy named Anthony that used to work for Youngblood helped me get it running really well. But my dumb ass left a clip on the back pressure hose and during my climb out at 100 feet or so the engine died. All I heard was "Auto!!!!" and in my mind my buddy telling me that this thing will not auto well. I dumped the pitch, and managed to pull a pretty good auto (As in the thing is still in one piece ) Honestly it was about as exciting as my first cutaway. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Difference is that 100% of the people that died due to an RSL had no chance and 100% of the people that could have been saved by an RSL could have saved themselves. Thats wrong. There have been plenty of folks on here that have said, "thats why I have an RSL/AAD". I have had people tell me that to my face. You sure they were all trying to get stable? You have some proof of that? You know they just didn't fail to perform due to lack of training? Are you an Instructor? I am AFF, Tandem and SL. I have never told someone to get stable first. Pull priorities are :Pull, Pull at the right altitude, and pull stable. In that order. If you find yourself in freefall below "X" you pull. But the fact is that an RSL does nothing that a jumper can't do themself and it HAS caused problems. Do you have proof all these people were trying to get stable over that they just failed to perform due to lack of training and drilling? The fact that you admit that RSL have killed is interesting. Would you be OK if a saftey device that was not needed killed you? If you have a saftey device that can kill you, is it a good saftey device? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Fair answer, your right. And not being able to take a delay has also killed people. Oh you can make the same mistake. But since your a pilot, do you practice engine out procedures? Or do you only fly a Cirrus and plan on just using the recovery chute? An RSL can be good. Training and practice is better since it can do the same thing and things that an RSL can't. The RSL is not a "smart" device. It does "B" whenever "A" happens no matter what. A human brain properly trained is much better. The problem is not lack of an RSL but people not bothering to train. This is a sport that is getting so "safe" due to all the gizmos that people are not spending enough time trying to stay alive. They are instead turning that focus into other much less important things. You want an RSL? Fine. But you should know that it can very well kill you. And it does nothing that you yourself can't do if you bother to train like your life depends on it. It amazes me how people spend a ton of money to hire coaches to learn how to do all kinds of stuff that in the end does not matter one bit. People plan trips to the tunnel to learn to fly on their heads, but when was the last time any of these folks were in a hanging harness? When was the last time they talked to an instructor about different malfunctions? When was the last time they talked to a rigger about gear, other than which canopy swoops better? It amazes me how people spend so much time and money training things that will not save their life, and no time or money on things that will. Do you think my family knows how many gold medals I have an Nationals? Or what my best average is? Nope. But they know I am alive. Don't get me wrong, I have well over 100 hours of tunnel time, but I also spend a good bit of time training not to die since it is really all that matters. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334