Ron

If I send comments, it will be that they have to establish standards so they can intervene in airport access issues and ensure safe operations for all involved. Still want me to send in a comment? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It is pretty easy to check your handles before climb out and have something happen on climb out or on exit. It has happened to me where my cutaway handle was tucked under the MLW on exit. I didn't know till I had a Mal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liq4HYJZaho&list=UU-zHE7n4iIQfFFPlwFODLEw&index=2&feature=plcp "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

People keep forgetting that for the FAA to be involved, they have to have a standard they can reference. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Personally? I would not call anyone. But I will close this out with one last post on the subject. 1. I said that people would disagree. 2. I said that I tried to give a simple answer and that answer was that there is no doubt that a Master rigger could do it. As to your comment that different people in the FAA will give you different answers- I also said that. I said that based on my dealings with the FAA both business and private. I'll share a quick story. Business: We have these large containers that get put onto aircraft. Because these get locked into the airframe, the FAA now considers these part of the airframe. For 20+ years they never made that claim, then suddenly they started making it. So, we worked with the FAA to establish maximum damage to the container for it still to be airworthy and what would be considered non-airworthy. At that time, any damage UNDER that level was allowed to be 'repaired' by speed tape (this really cool aluminum tape that sticks to pretty much anything). The FAA came back years later and said anyone that applied that tape had to be an A&P. Nevermind that the container would still be considered airworthy even without the tape in the first place. After a very long drawn out battle.... The FAA decided that the tape could be applied again by anyone, as long as they had recieved training. We asked them what the training had to consist of..... And we were told requirements that were basically an A&P. After another round of debates, they allowed us to have an A&P give a quick class on how to apply tape and record that training in the employee files. Now, years later, we have a short film that we show employees Personal: I have a light plane I had some hangar rash that basically poked a little whole in the fabric on the bottom of the fuse. There were no A&P's around me that knew fabric... And a few of them told me I could fix it, others told me I could not. Long story short, I asked three FAA aircraft MX safety folks: 1. Yes 2. No 3. I dont know, I deal with Jets. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Try reading again...... Maybe pay attention to this part, "Repairs are normally allowed to be done by a Sr Rigger.... Although there are limits on that on TSO'd parts as well" Want the official answer? Call and ask the FAA. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You want the official answer? Call the FAA. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You missed this part did you? "Although some will claim that only the tray and harness are under the TSO" And this part: "Master Riggers are allowed, Sr Riggers might be allowed depending on the FAA's reading of the rules....And anyone that has delt with the FAA knows that the FAA often changes opinions and that different agents often have different readings. You want the best answer, call the manufacturer. " And isn't the FAA the final word? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You need a master rigger to work on risers? I wonder which, if any, of my several riser sets is legal? Modifications and alterations to the TSO'd parts, and the risers are part of the rig which is part of the TSO (Although some will claim that only the tray and harness are under the TSO), need to be done by a master rigger. Repairs are normally allowed to be done by a Sr Rigger.... Although there are limits on that on TSO'd parts as well. So to make a long story short: Master Riggers are allowed, Sr Riggers might be allowed depending on the FAA's reading of the rules....And anyone that has delt with the FAA knows that the FAA often changes opinions and that different agents often have different readings. You want the best answer, call the manufacturer. None of this is to say that a Sr would not be able... And we all know that people have done illegal things.... But the simple answer is the one I gave in my first post... A master rigger is allowed, a Sr rigger might be allowed. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Because the rears are easier to pull down than the fronts. With the fronts a handle to grab really helps.... the rears, for most people, are not that big of a deal. ANY activity done for a really long time will get tiresome. So the short answer is that it has not even been needed. You are free to get a master rigger to add them if you like. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Put out suggestions but don't create a rating. There are MUCH more important issues that the USPA should fix before trying to expand the organization.... Such as canopy deaths. At least once in the past the USPA gave 'privileged' information to an attorney to use in a lawsuit against a member. Only an idiot would give information to someone who did that once already. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hehe no attachment "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

If I may ask... Why was the Caravan eliminated early? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Short version...... The USPA has given incident reports that were given to them in confidence and handed them over to people suing the DZ. So, why in the hell would you give a report to the USPA to just have them give it to someone who is suing you? Also, the USPA has pretty much done nothing with the information they have. So, you could give them information and they will do nothing with it except maybe give it to someone who is suing you. Hell, I would not give them any information either. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The FAA is very clear on the subject. You have to have permission to land on private property UNLESS you have an emergency. When you PLAN on landing there, it is not an emergency. I picked *A* pool. It just happened to be owned by YOU in my example. If I just randomly walked down the street and jumped into your pool since I could see it and was hot... That does not make it an emergency and does not make it legal. In the US you land in someone's field and you will pay for damages EVEN if it is an emergency. If it is not an emergency then you can be charged with trespass. If you call ahead to your ground crew and have them meet you.... Then you have no excuse. That is up to the PIC and the FAA to decide. But when you plan on landing on private property and you do not have to land.... Then you cannot claim it is an emergency. The rest of your questions are better asked of the FAA or the agency in your Country. Nonsense. The law is pretty clear - You may not PLAN to land on private property without permission and expect to be protected under the emergency claim.It IS trespass and the property owner has every right to be upset. How YOU react when you break the law depends on how they act. But the simple fact is that planning to land on private property without permission is illegal. I have friends with private airports.... They have told me that I do not have permission to land on their fields. They have also said that they will not call the police or arrest me if I land there, even taking me to lunch. But the fact is they have not given me permission, they just do not get upset when I do it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The ballon pilot made a concious choice to land in that field. Your counter point is not valid. This was not an emergency landing, it was intentional and was clearly trespass, my anology is valid. It should also be noted that a PIC can't create a situation then invoke 'emergency' as protection. For example, I can't pull the mixture on a plane and use that 'engine out' as an excuse to make a landing on a private airport. The ballon pilot did not have an emergency, he intentionally landed there as part of a plan.... Any claim that this is an 'emergency' is false. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Legally and without violating someone else's rights. If you had a pool and I just invited myself over to use it without discussing it with you..... Would you be fine with me just using your pool when I felt like it? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Sounds like he was not the only one doing that. " I begin to argue quite harshly with him. " False. It would be the pilot that would be in trouble. The land owner would face no repercussions at all. The pilot made the choice to take off... That is all on the pilot. Again, FALSE. It is bad PR for the DZ and your attitude didn't help. Wanna bet that the next major issue which side this guy is going to be on while you are back in your own Country? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Coached a 4way team all weekend. Sat was a competition, 2nd one this year. The first comp, they were 6 points behind the team that won Advanced last year... This comp they ended one point behind them. Feels good to coach a team and see that kind of improvement. MUCH more difficult to coach a team to higher performance than to jump to higher performance IMO. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

In the past the USPA has given data to lawyers who were suing a DZO. They claim they will not, but it has happened. I don't recall the details, but I am sure a search on here will provide the details if you care to look. In addition, the USPA has done jack shit about accidents in the past... So why provide them with details when they are going to do fuck all with it but maybe give it to someone to use against you? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

With the correct sized canopy, landing in half brakes and doing a PLF is a very valid option. If you recall your FJC "go to half brakes and prepare to PLF" was most likely mentioned several times during the emergency landing portion of the course. Was it necessary here? Most likely not, but it didn't hurt anything. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Do you think anyone EVER did a turn to final low on purpose? Don't you think they ALL thought they would be fine? The guy had a canopy he didn't feel was safe to land. He made a choice and correctly executed that choice. You may not agree with his choice.... But how many malfunctions have you handled? Me, I have 9 cutaways and 5500+ jumps and I think the guy did the right thing. I might not have done the same thing - but it was not my ass in the saddle, it was his. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

*We* is the USPA and not the FAA. What I said was the *FAA* needs standards to regulate. If you think otherwise, then you know nothing about the FAA or government in general. *We* clearly DO need something since you are having problem getting access to an airport and others are having problems on other airports. You falsely think the FAA is going to blindly accept the USPA's standards. Here is a hint.... When a guy with a new 182 has spent 400k and even the guy with a ragged out 182 has paid 40k dollars to be on the airport.... They have more pull than a skydiver. You should have already learned this with your dealings with local politicians. Welcome to govt involvement! Again THE FAA HAS NO CURRENT STANDARDS related to parachute landing areas. The USPA has some standards but that is not the same thing. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

The FAA needs to act. To act, they need to have standards to follow. Those that think the govt is the solution to every problem need to understand how the govt operates. This is a prime example. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. Just because you FELT safe... Does not mean you WERE safe. I would FEEL perfectly safe bringing a biplane inverted 50 feet off the deck. That does not mean it IS safe. 2. Just because YOU felt safe does not mean others could pull it off. I'd have no problem letting Shannon Pilcher use me as a swoop toy.... That does not mean I am OK with just anyone doing it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Easier just to ingore him from now on. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334