Ron

For some reason I hate that term. I keep getting these young tandem students that say its on their bucket list. Do you have a terminal disease? No Are you Morgan Freeman? No They why the hell does a twenty year old kid have a "bucket list". So they will get stuff checked off before they die. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And if you were able to ask every single skydiver that has died skydiving.... Each and every one of them would say what you just said, 'I am not stupid, I study this and know the limits'.... Yet they are all still dead. So..... Yeah. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Looks like a simple stall/spin "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Canopy deaths have been an issue for over 15 years. The USPA made a b license card.... In 15 years. ISP was not about safety, but about trying to get a standard in the training. It did not add safety, it just allowed crossover "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Proceeding as if this was a real question: Get the pilot (actually I would not suggest the pilot personally... Maybe a crossfire, katana...etc) You can downsize to a tiny canopy only if you survive the canopy you have now. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

When they start to give a shit about not letting members get killed under canopy.... I'll give a shit they are 35k strong. They have LONG since stopped caring about anything but the glamor. They will spend tons of time making a magazine no one reads, but will spend zero time creating a swoop syllabus. They will spend member money to make an official demo team, but not a dime on safety. If I didn't have to be a USPA member to compete at nationals and do AFF... They would have 35,013 members in a second. Totally agree. All they feature are free flying techniques and sponsored jumpers and how great they are. if I can jump without paying annual fees I would. The work they regarding keeping the feds off our backs is to me, well worth the price of admission...ymmv I'd rather pay the AOPA. If the AOPA spent 1% of their time protecting skydiving they would do more than the USPA. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

When they start to give a shit about not letting members get killed under canopy.... I'll give a shit they are 35k strong. They have LONG since stopped caring about anything but the glamor. They will spend tons of time making a magazine no one reads, but will spend zero time creating a swoop syllabus. They will spend member money to make an official demo team, but not a dime on safety. If I didn't have to be a USPA member to compete at nationals and do AFF... They would have 35,013 members in a second. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Did Teddy have a wheelchair with machine guns and rocket launchers? Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bitches! No.... Because he didn't need them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. There is no 'canopy coach' rating. So you are asking about something that does not exist. 2. Basic skills in both free fall and canopy control should be required for a license. As a guy with a pro rating. I just think we need to make better instructors overall. Bit asking for a rating that does not exist does not help anything. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No single drop of rain wants to feel responsible for the flood. IMO, if you are a staunch GW supporter and you drive an SUV, or use fossil fuels for recreation you are a hypocrite. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I guess that depends on the person. IMHO - I find that the ability to teach is much more important than the content itself. So why aren't people with real teaching credentials recognized by USPA? They are, or were. You didn't new the BIC per the USPA. But, while I don't doubt you personally..... Just because a guy can teach a classroom of students math, that does not mean he can teach skydiving. Just like the fact I could teach skydiving didn't get credit when I applied for a corporate training job, or why the FAA doesn't just have me a CFI even though I have AFF/SL/T I ratings. Never mind that I taught RC flying, never mind that I taught martial arts..... The FAA still wants me to take a test. I consider it fair. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have never seen a person with 500 RE team jumps have an issue with the flying skills needed for AFF. I have seen FF have issues, I have seen TIs have issues... But I have never seen or heard about a 500 team jump RW jumper having an issue with the flying.... The *teaching* yes, bit not the flying. Just like I don't doubt that a tunnel rat could fly the slot... But flying the slot is half, maybe a little more than half of it. You need to be able to teach, not just fly. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Still waiting for you to back up your comments in the other thread. Or, you could admit you are making it up.... Your call. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

IDK. I have only seen one and didn't ask. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Way to dodge the question. I expected nothing less. And if you tell them something they are doing is dangerous and they tell you that you have no idea what you are talking about... then what? And your tower rat exp = ZERO in skydiving. Ah, you see. YOU might be fine with you killing others to satisfy your ego... the others may not be willing to put your life in the hands of a person who is fine with risking their life. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

To jump: 1. Twin otter 2. Garret converted Caravan 3. Any tailgate. 4. King air 5. 206/182 If I had to own: 1. Garret powered Caravan 2. Twin Otter 3. Any tailgate 4. 182/206 5. King Air I do not like jumping and would not buy a KA. And I have 6-700 jumps out of one. Might work fine for a tandem mill. But for AFF and fun jumping I find it lacking. As for cost.... Every 5(?) years the gear needs pretty big MX. It is a twin so it is burning two engines and burning two engines worth of fuel. The DZ I work at just got one of those Garret powered Caravans. So far from talking to the owners/pilots I am nothing but impressed. Others will disagree... Of this I am sure "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

There are black jumpers out there... Mike, Will, and Noah from the GK's (Mike is retired). There is Waz and Chris out in Dallas, and a few more sprinkled around like Mic (is he still in AZ?). I think the answer is simple and then a bit more complex. Simple: 1. Blacks are only 12.8% of the US population. Skydivers are a VERY small group of the population.... WAY WAY less than 1% of the US population skydives. So if you limit the original pool to 12.8% of the population, there will be even fewer participants. 2. People like to hang out with "their own". Now that might sound racist and it can be a basis of race.... It ALSO applies to people in an activity. I prefer to hang out with skydivers, scuba divers, or pilots than skiers or painters. Most people I would bet got their introduction to the sport through a friend or by talking with a friend... Well see #1: If there are so few in the sport, then they do not have much exposure. Complex: 1. Racial attitudes. Diesel just mentioned he is cautious when going to a DZ for fear of racism.... Well, if a guy that is 'one of us' still has that idea, you can bet that a good number of the rest of that population has the same idea with NO exposure. So while we don't seem to to be racist to black skydivers.... Black people don't know that we are one big dysfunctional family and they too can be in the family only if they are crazy enough to jump out of aircraft. 2. There is a cultural difference. This is the one that most people like to pretend does not exist. But let's face it, blacks do not normally play hockey and while blacks are only 12.8% of the US population they have a much larger share of NBA players. It is a cultural thing. Whites seem to be more inclined to 'extreme' hobbies. Add it all up and it kinda explains it. One thing I have noticed is that in the military there are more black skydivers than the general population. My theory is that they are already a part of a larger 'family' and feel accepted. Plus being in the military appeals to a certain type of mindset. So a,IMO, a black person in the military already feels accepted and has a spirit suited for extreme activities. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

This plane is a Challenger II clipped wing. It was the first plane I owned and except for the two stroke engine, it was awesome. Lake off and land in about 300 feet, cruise about 85-90 mph. It was a two place so I could fly with my wife. And it was very light on the controls. I never really trusted the two stroke, so I sold it and bought a Citabria. There are days that I miss the little Challenger. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not as impressive, but I think it is cool. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X3JGwMLJ3w "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well, if the only life at stake was yours and yours alone.... I could not give two shits anymore. I have no idea why anyone would be so stupid as to ignore advice from someone with 15X the experience... But I also realize I can't control you. The best I can do is warn, and then hope your actions do not kill me, my wife, or any of my friends. As BillV stated, I have lost two friends to people with egos that sound much like what you are expressing here. And the funny thing is when you flash the PD team as examples..... You are not showing their discipline, attitude, nor their progression. Shannon, Ian, Rickster - All professionals, all open to suggestions and inspite of all of their accomplishments less ego combined than you are showing here..... So why do I care? 1. You don't know what you don't know. I have held numerous people together till the medics showed up, I have had a guy die on me while I tried to save his life. None of them thought they would screw up... Yet they did. 2. You might kill me or someone I love. It is pretty clear you don't care about the opinions of others. And it is pretty clear you think you know all you need to know. That thinking is dangerous and I don't want you to take someone else out when you screw up. You mentioned spending 60 hrs a week in the air.... How would you look at me if I was doing whatever you are an expert at and was doing something you considered dangerous and a risk to your family and friends and told you to 'piss off and leave me alone'? So please tell what DZ you jump at so I will not risk my life being in the air with you, and so I can ask my wife never to jump there either. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. Each of those people are the best of the best. Top in the WORLD. 2. Each of them had more jumps on a single canopy than you have total before downsizing. I can remember reading an old parachutist I found one day. I was looking for really old nationals scores and maybe old draws. It talked about the SUPER small rocket canopy Rickster was jumping at the nationals.... It was a pink Sabre *150* So you are comparing yourself to the BEST in the WORLD and not even close to emulating them. If you were to follow Rickster, you would still be jumping an F111 7 cell at 400 jumps. Finally... I know Rickster, Shannon, Ian.... You sir, are not them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Can a student unhook a seatbelt that is hooked behind them? I don't hook them to me for take off... But claiming they can't unhook themselves but can unhook themselves from a seatbelt is a bit silly considering some of the places I have seen them seatbelted in at. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Can't speak to the Aerodyne, but not all rigs have the fold over. My Vector did, My Javelins didn't, my Talon did (I think). "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Still waiting on you to provide a list of DZ's that allow you to jump a camera with 50 jumps. You keep crying about people not bringing data..... Time for you to provide some of your own. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

A guy gets it. You have to wonder why we try and give advice: 1. To keep you down and make us feel like we have mad skills 2. To prevent you from getting hurt. I can't fathom a person who honestly thinks #1. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334