Ron

Wind speeds: So what if the winds were a constant 10MPH? Turbulence: What if the landing area was in the middle of nowhere with not a single tree to create turbulence? Canopy size: A 100 pound PAX and myself weigh 260 pounds... Add 60 for gear and we are at 320. So on a Sigma II 370 we would be about .88 WL. About the same as a student... Radio: And about the radio.... The TI is *flying the canopy*. that is much better than telling a student what to do and hoping they do it. Yes, and don't you think they should use those skills to asses the situation and not just automatically cutaway when they may be safe to land the canopy? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes, but which is considered the safer side? Except, that they sometimes mal. We all have heard the stories of a reserve mal..... Some have actually had a mal. So like any parachute, they can malfunction. So if you felt the canopy was flying fine, had a good flare..... Why would you chop it? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

N/A

The same way we all do on each jump we make, the same way we expect students to make that choice on their very first jump. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

And Don't really jive with each other. On one hand you are saying everyone should just stay out of it, then you say you are helping one party. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well you claim to not care, but your posting says you do care. I have facts from several different sources. Please show one example of me calling someone a name. No one has wished anyone from the Ranch otherwise. Enjoy your boarding... I may be doing that for the first time this year myself. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Then you should be callin bullshit on your boss. Nope, please re read and try again. I said that without a written contract there was no way to know if there: 1. Was an exclusive use provision. 2. If there was a provision for raising the rate. Read those two points three of four times and then try to answer how , without anything in writting, you can prove what was agreed on 13+ years ago. Also remember that Billy had taken his planes from Zhills several times and therefore would have violated any contract. And without a process to raise the rates.... Each new rate hike was a new verbal 'contract' Also realize that your side has had it's ass handed to it in court. Great... I don't work for anyone involved so we know your opinion is already jaded. Your loss, enjoy the cold "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I guess I am just a "bungling amateur". Should I surrender my ratings to you, or Ted and Bill? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well clearly you take it seriously... Or you have OCD I thought the "call a rigger" was a bit strange, that's why I remembered it. I am tempted to congratulate you on being so thorough on your check in.... that or ready to make sure that I never stop by your DZ "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hell, I wear a frap hat for tandem's.... I like the ear protection from riser slap. I realize that thats about all it really does along with some friction protection. I'd wear a hard helmet, but hell... I already had a frap hat and think the chances of a hard hit to the noggin doing tandems is reduced enough that I don't feel a need. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Ok thats one.... But I have been to plenty of DZ's that require an AAD and never bothered to look past the controller, check a second rig... Etc..... I have seen some DZ's call the rigger on the packing data card to make sure the rig was not pencil packed. That does not mean that it happens everywhere. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It is not missed... you just keep saying it is missed. There is no ban on anyone from anywhere joining this site. And you are doing the EXACT same thing by assuming that anyone that does not agree with you has no valuable input. The only place that happened is in your head. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well... I guess they have not released anything on it yet? I think it is still in Beta. My bad. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Where is the bull shit flag when you need it????? YOU are the one saying how stupid America is.... I don't think a single person has said anything even remotely close about NZ. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Actually... It most likely would work unless the jumper ran his mouth. They do not test if they work, only if it was there. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No, but your plight highlights an issue with these types of training courses. Most people will be willing to help you out, but now you have to find them as opposed to already knowing who they are. Plus, any program like a "One week to 'A'" course should include packing.... "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

This just screams take a FJC... You will be amazed at the process today and most likely learn quite a bit. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I jumped the new tandem main twice this weekend. If you care, here is my impression. The opening is three distinct phases. It seems to start inflation very quickly. I would not call it hard, but it is quick. My video guy felt the same way, he saw me get yanked away and then was surprised that I was still opening. The second section is a nice slow snivel while the main hunts for a heading. The third was a quick transition from snivel to open canopy with the canopy picking a heading. Both times it was a 180 to the left. The toggle pressure was high and the 1st 1/3 of the control stroke seems to not elicit a big response. The toggle pressure prevented my students from being able to really fly the canopy on their own. The flare was great. On the second jump, the slider would only come 3/4 of the way down. I tried all the usual tricks, but it just would not budge. It flew fine and the flare was still fine. It was a no wind day, so I didn't even try to stand either jump. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

That's cool.... But I have seen reserve malfunctions over the years. For me and my student I am going to play what I see as the safest course of action... And that may very well be staying with the main if it flys fine rather than trading it for what is behind pin #2. Your opinion is different, and that is fine. There is no black and white in this situation. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Because sometimes the spare is also flat? "Description: He was filming a 4-way and became entangled with another jumper on opening. The two jumpers cut away and his reserve pilot chute became entangled with his helmet." "Description: Due to a hard opening, this jumper broke one of the D lines on his canopy, a 230 Rascal. it went into a spin, so he cut it away. The rapid deployment of the reserve via the RSL resulted in his capturing the reserve pilot chute on his right arm. One report indicates the reserve lines also entangled with his neck. The reserve never cleared the freebag." It is a tough choice.... But if the one above my head is "there, square, stable, steerable".... I'd likely keep it. If I felt at all iffy... It would be gone. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

and and Leads me to think that you should take a FJC again. Not the end of the world. One of the best jumps of my life was an instruction jump with a guy that last jumped the year I was born and had a little under 500 jumps before he quit. He had NEVER done a two way, so after his great performance on a SL and a H&P I took him to 10K and had him do a solo exit.... then I stayed behind him to make sure he was stable and then I flew in front and docked on him..... I will never forget that jump. Welcome back, but play it safe and just take a FJC. I am sure after 20 years enough has changed and a refresher would be a good idea anyway. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

What will people not get? 1. That NZ has a totally different program? 2. That a person who takes classes and focuses on something is not the norm for the rest of the skydiving population? 3. That with proper training almost anything can be done... But that does not mean it should be the standard WITHOUT the training? Sheesh. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

This is a classic example f why I don't like AFF in a week type programs. (Not saying you did that... But it sure seems like it). If you were a local jumper, you would have plenty of options to learn how to pack AND know the right people to ask. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Ignore it. A friend always used to say: If one person thinks you are an ahole.... Ignore them. If two think you are an ahole... Think about it. If a whole room full of people think you are an ahole... embrace it!!!! He also used to say that if you have not pissed off at least one person, or been in jail at least once... you are not trying. Do online dating.... I know plenty of people that have met that way. As for people not offering to hook you up.... Well, I have several single friends and I don't go around trying to marry them all off. If one asked me to help them out, I would try. But for the most part, I don't play matchmaker. Also.... If you come across as 'needing' to find someone, that send people running to the hills. Enjoy your life and you will be a beacon for the type of person that you want and that wants you. Live YOUR life and a person that fits with you will slip right in... Run around looking to find someone and you will be trying to force a relationship. Never works out. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

*I* know all that... It seems you only think your opinion matters however. Thinking only your situation and experience should count is showing arrogance.... No matter what Country you're from. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334