Ron

I was doing great. I had my little blade flying around and was starting to perform rolls. One of the ball links broke on the blade holder and that was all she wrote. I have not been able to get it to fly correctly since. It is OK, but the swash plate tilts to the left very much when it is trimed for level flight. This makes it slide left in forward flight and right backwards. I tried to adjust the swash plate, but it will not hold a hover without a bunch of left stick. So its kinda a pain in the ass trying to get it right. The Shogun is great. I have looped and rolled it. I have a small problem with transitioning from forward flight to a stable hover. I put it in a hover at about 30 feet. Then while I try to decend it rolls around like a leaf falling. If I bump up the head speed it stops...I almost think it is stalling a blade. But it will not decend like that. I think I do not have enough negative pitch. One Idea was flying it in "V" curve all the time...What do you think? The Venture is almost done. I have been working a ton and while it was ready to fly this wekend....A "Friend" was in town and we went house shopping. So, Ill let you know next week. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. It means full up to my ass in planes. 2. I fart a lot when I fly. 3. I type like shit and "S" is right next to "D". Pick one, I am sure it will fit. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Ah you have a Blade. I have two of em. One set up for 3d and one just for playing around. I also have a Shogun V2 with brushless and a Venture .50 glow. Ass in my 6 planes, and I have a problem. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I don't know if it will in fact double....It might actually make it much more likely to survive. However, it seems more focus is on the devices, and not enough on the procedures. If you don't believe that reference the recent CYPRES save thread....Hell reference the entire CYPRES save PDF at Airtecs website. Getting the devices are easy one time choices. Knowing and practicing the proper procedures require constant practice and review. So which do you think we should focus on? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Or ask anyone that hired an Open level skydiver to jump in a lower class. Same thing in my opinion, in fact the Jugernauts had more right in my opinion. None had medaled in Advanced and then moved down. Same could be said of why going Advanced, why not go open? Its the same draw. The answer is people want medals. You think that 2002 was so bad, I think Player Coaches in Advanced are bad. The difference each has to set their own level of acceptance. My answer: I have never jumped in anything but Open 4way. Why? Well I think the Average we had was better than anything in Advanced. This year Mass Defiance came really close. But still they earned it IMO. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And proper emergency procedures would have saved them also. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Did not mean to do that. I just wanted to point out another reason why a student might not learn in a class. So far the reasons I have. 1. The student heard all the FJC and it was a standard FJC. It included the explanation of an RSL, the fact that the Jumper must stop the skydive, and that the reserve can stop the skydive. However the student instead focused on the saftey toys to try and convince herself that she would be safe. The area of the studenst focus become the lesson she learned. This is what I think actually happend. It could have happend even LONG after the FJC was complete. It could have happend by talking around the camp fire where she heard stories of people who had RSL's deploy the reserve. For this I'd like to show some evidence FROM THIS THREAD that could lead someone to the conclusion that all you have to do is pull the cutaway and the RSL will save you. "Oh BTW, in general I agree, but I have so many cutaways that if I ever have one with an rsl again (usually I jump camera so no rsl), I might or I might not. If the reserve is already open, it's open, and I know I can find and pull my handles "-Dragon2 "If the RSL beats you and the reserve is sitting pretty over your head, what's the gain in now pulling the moderately expensive reserve handle? Is it really beneficial practice now that the other end is gone already? "-Kelpdiver "My RSL beat me easily. My reserve opened just as I found my reserve handle. Sure, I pulled it anyway but it certainly wasn't necessary. "- Labrys So from these (and there are more examples) a newbie might think that they do not need to pull the reserve since the RSL will open the reserve so fast and there is not much benefit in pulling the reserve handle since the RSL will beat them. 2. The Instructor was really fucked up and left out critical information. I would hope they are not that stupid. However, it could happen since I bet a good number of todays Instructors are themselves "children of the AAD". Take scenario #1 and that jumper now becomes and Instructor. Are they going teach what they are supposed to, or what they themselves learned? Interestingly enough. This could be found out by asking OTHER students in the same class some questions. 3. This student recieved special attention...And not in a good way. I think it is part 1 and 2. The Instructor didn't stress it enough and the student trying to justify the safety of skydiving put more focus on the saftey toys than procedures. Now, as Hook asked. "What do we do about it?" We must not use the saftey devices to try and "convince" a student that skydiving is for them. I see it all the time. We tell prospective students that we have all these great devices that will save them if they fuck up. I'd rather not even mention them to FJC students. Make them think that only THEY can save themselves. The students that are willing to jump not knowing about the safety blanket will still jump. And those that will not, will never jump and SHOULD never jump. See the problem is not with the devices, it is with the mindset. We encourage it and we should not. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The only thing that really gets me about this is that some do not consider it to be a big deal that she didn't know how to save herself and an AAD had to do it. I mean really, how bad does the FJC have to be that it never mentions the reserve handle can be used to stop the skydive? Its clear that there was a failure in this case for learning to take place. However, everone wants to place the blame on the instructors. I fail to see event he worst FJC in the history of the sport to omit the reserve handle and how it works. I think one thing happend here. The student in trying to justify and rationalize her participation in a dangerous sport, put more faith in the safety devices than her procedures. Since this was the focus of her energy it became the lesson. I see it in SCUBA diving as well...People don't really learn to buddy breathe since everyone has an octo. A factor that could have played in this is she is female. I have seen females get away with stupid things that males would get their ass reamed for. Why? Maybe the guys who should be yelling at her are trying to score, or maybe the guys are just trying to be nice to the girl. However, the fact is that this sport does not care what you meant to do, or how cute or good in bed you are. It only cares what you did, and what happend. It will kill a hot chick just as fast as it will kill me. Skydivers...If you think you are being nice to the cute chick...Treating them differently that you would a guy...STOP. Instructors if you are letting a cute girl not own the knowledge needed to survive since she is cute and has an AAD..STOP. I think the major problem is device dependancy. People don't see this as a big deal anymore. IT IS. However, I would venture that a good number of todays Instructors have always been in a world that has had a good AAD. So it started with a few new jumpers relying on the safety devices, but now those jumpers are Instructors and the attitude they have is not the old, "Stop the skydive or you will DIE!" It is, "Stop the skydive of your AAD will fire and save you." There is a BIG difference between those two lines of thinking. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

#1. Most times I get a faster answer here than anywhere. Some pics I was looking for took like 2 min one time. #2. While the time stamp says 2 something it was not...The shops were closed. #3. It was a rumor, one I thought was kinda cool, but not enough to really care about. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes. Why? Well it is their life on the line. I fail to see even the WORST FJC in history failing to tell the student that they must "stop the skydive". What I can see happening is the student forgeting all of that and rather putting their focus on the part of the FJC that explains the AAD and RSL. Then taking that knowledge and putting a focus on that rather than putting the focus on doing the right things themselves. This happens with even the best instructors. Students to try and rationalize the danger to themselves focus on the saftey gear that will "save them" rather than focus on the procedures that they need to save themselves. This causes them to downplay the procedures and put an unhealthy reliance on the gear. It is terrible that today a CYPRES fire is not seen as a very serious incident. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hook, you don't need to know EVERYTHING about your gear...But you do need to know how to use that gear and in this case this jumper failed. We are all lucky she had an AAD otherwise she would be dead. THAT is enough of a reaon to ground her and make her realize that she really screwed up. That can be folled by serious education and depending on how that takes and how she reacts to it would determain if she ever jumped again at any DZ I owned. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

There is a HUGH difference between not kowing HOW a device works, and not knowing how to operate a device. I don't need to know HOW a reserve opens, but I do need to know how to open it. This person FAILED at the one thing we need to do and that is save our life. And the reason is that she was dependant on a device to save her. In my book that is very bad, even though it is becoming more common everyday. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I heard that Aerodyne is giving away free Ipods and Gatorz when you order a Mamba...Anyone know if that is true? While I think it would be stupid to buy a canopy based on "SHWAG"....Aerodyne makes pretty good stuff and as far as SHWAG goes an Ipod is pretty good SHWAG. Just wondering. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And people tell me that there is no such thing as device dependancy? Ground her. Make her learn and then teach you about the devices on a sport rig. Until she is able to descibe the RSL and an AAD and the limitations of both I would not let her back on the plane. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Go to school. Get a good job THEN Skydive as much as you want. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Whats your future plans? Great job at nationals. Edit: And to throw my 2 cents in....The teammates are the important part. There are a few cases where people who hate each other with the same goals can jump together....But at what cost? If its not fun whats the point? Attitude is even more important that skills, money ect. I have seen teams fall apart due to lack of money, lack of time, and bad attitudes. When its money people still have a good time when they were together. When its time people remain friends. But I have seen teams where one person is an ass, and the entire time spent becomes shit. No matter how skilled, rich, or available a perosn is....If you can't stand being near them...It will never work, and it will NEVER be fun. So, find three other folks you like, and jump with them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Suicide Mistaken for Halloween Decoration FREDERICA, Del. (AP) - The apparent suicide of a woman found hanging from a tree went unreported for hours because passers-by thought the body was a Halloween decoration, authorities said. The 42-year-old woman used rope to hang herself across the street from some homes on a moderately busy road late Tuesday or early Wednesday, state police said. The body, suspended about 15 feet above the ground, could be easily seen from passing vehicles. State police spokesman Cpl. Jeff Oldham and neighbors said people noticed the body at breakfast time Wednesday but dismissed it as a holiday prank. Authorities were called to the scene more than three hours later. ``They thought it was a Halloween decoration,'' Fay Glanden, wife of Mayor William Glanden, told The (Wilmington) News Journal. ``It looked like something somebody would have rigged up,'' she said. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Can you be too safe? NO. Constant dillegance is needed to stay in this sport for a long time. After a while superior skills can take the place of nazi like safety practices, but that does not mean it is a good thing. There is a point of being AFRAID of the sport that is bad. And I think this might be what you are talking about. War story time: When I was working on my pilots license my flight instructor Dan and I were in the pattern. I had about 4 hours and just gotten my medical (Which you need to solo) and after the first landing I stoped in front of the FBO, turned to Dan and said, "Get out". He laughed at me and said , "nope, take it around". This continued for the next two landings....On the third, he got out. I lined up on the runway and knew at that second that I had soloed....I WAS going to put the power in, and I was going to take off, there was no turning around. So I did it. Days later I was hanging around at the Airport and he asked me if I wanted to ride with another student and him in a 172....Wanting to be airborn I jumped at the chance. This guy had 25 hours and had not soloed. I later asked Dan why I had soloed at 4-5 hours and this guy took 25. He replied to me that the other guy was scared, not confident at all. I aksed him about me...He said that I was confident, but not over confident...Well maybe a little. He also told me that he would rather have guys like me than the other guy. If *you* are not confident in yourself, why should an Instructor be confident in you? The ideal mix is a person that is confident, but LISTENS when he is being taught. Not a brash overconfident knowitall. So confidence + open ears= perfect. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

in 8 way airspeed ripped it out of the park... Beat the French by 2 points in that round...AS wins by 3. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

What can I say, Im a patriot.

It was my prediction...Now you know why the "Psychic Friends Network" fired me. Of course its still early. Seems the Russians didn't bother to see that I thought they would not be in the top three. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I was just there two weeks ago Same here..Let me know if you are up here. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hows that hurricane thingy working out for ya? Its a good job. But yes, I miss you guys. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not a watch, but here are some of my new toys: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByCategory/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLH1100 Yes, I had one in Zhills...Now I have two. (One just balled itself up, so I might just get another one today) And I bought one of these...Just waiting on a friend to help set it up....52 inch rotor.... http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByCategory/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=JRP9015 So got my toys "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I am in Roanoke just N. of Ft Worth. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334