mikkey

First of all Bush and his administration (except for Powell) do not want to use the UN. They do not like and they do not accept that things are more "grey" and complicated then it looks on the surface. Bush is in "moral" terms a fundamentalist - he believes everything can be categorised into "bad" and "good" - sorry things are not that easy. But this is why we have these issues. International relations are extremely complicated and tedious. The Bush administration does not have any patience and is on a "power trip". I think the wake up call is near. They are going to have so much trouble in Iraq that they might just return to more old fashioned diplomacy in the future.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

This is what pisses me off... no understanding of the detail. Who says they were in contact? Same person who said they were buying stuff in Africa?? Osama and Saddam HATED each other. Saddam is a secular muslim and ran a secular non-religious dictatorship. Osama is a fundamentalistic fanatical muslim. Again making my point - the Americans have stopped listening to their friends are looking at the world in black and white. This is NOT a Hollywood movie. The US learned a big lesson in Vietnam - I just do not hope they are going to repeat the mistakes of the past... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Correct 61 is Australia and 3 is state code for Victoria... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Correct me if I am wrong but they use round reserves with round mains only? (good reasons for that) I agree I would much prefer a round chute if I had to land in darkness (due to the issue of not being able to detrmine flare point). But is this relevant here? Well that is probably right. BUT in how many % of reserve rides are people unconscious? 5%? In all other cases a square would be better. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Right, I'll try again: When its windy the round will drift fast over the ground and slam you my friend. I have 115 round jumps and 2 round reserve rides. Please believe me. Rounds are no fun in wind

Don't want to create huge posts by responding in detail. But read you own post again: So you have the solution? Which solution? You are sitting in Iraq - no trace of Saddam no trace of WMD no trace of Osama and friends. The country is in chaos - US soldiers are getting killed every day - some people are already talking about a new Vietnam... So the Europeans were just difficult and bickering? The Iraq war has solved the issue of international terror? Wake up! Saddam was a problem for the region but he was not involved with Osama - that is the biggest mistake - the US has actually taken their eye of the main game - terror. You should have invaded some other countries if that was the real issue... Just for the record - I was advocating doing something about Iraq, but a) only with a broad coalition b) a decent plan for post-war Iraq c) justifying it with the real reasons - not mixing it with the fight against Osama and friends... Again, if you guys treat your real friends like shit just because they disagree, you will regret it in the long run.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I must respectfully disagree: - A square reserve will in 99% of cases be better then a round one (if you don't overload it). - In most cases you will not be unconscious under reserve. A round reserve is not very steerable and can get you into trouble. I once was hanging under one and had the "choice" of airport hangars or freeway for landing. Not a very nice choice. You will in most cases have a much harder landing in a round. - Even if you are unconscious. Rounds do not like wind. They drift and if it is windy might give you at least the same problem as being under a square with half breaks. Rounds also tend to do pendular movements (especially if it is windy) - that can give you a very bad landing. I had 2 reserve rides in rounds and both times was injured. I would never again jump a round reserve - just make sure that your square reserve is not loaded much more then 1 - 1.2 --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

So, you don't want anybodies opinion - but you want to "school the younger jumpers" about the dangers..... hmmmmm Also, I find the "Canopy Nazi" label quite offensive (I know it is not something you have come up with). So people who are concerned about people killing themselves due to high WL are Nazis? Some history lessons would be in place for a few people. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Not correct, a number of European countries supported the US (including troops) - but they did it often due to loyalty without great joy.... I am sorry but this is exactly the issue I have with the Americans - big sweeping statements. And talking about Africa and Middle East - I think US policies post WW2 have been huge contributors to many of the issues in the ME and Africa. But it is a very complex issue. Not understanding the complexities is the biggest problem the US has. Well "John Wayne" this statement is exactly why the US is falling out with large part of its allies. Talking about "superiority" and "ego" - living in a glass house - are we? Correct - but most help from the US - during the Iran war. I actually support getting rid of Saddam, but the way it was done... A lot of Europeans were saying: we understand and support you, but basing the case on threat of WMD and connections to Osama is flimsy at least. Also, what are you going to do in Iraq after the war - it is a very complex country. The problem is that the current US administration does not take any input from its friends - actually portraits them as enemies when they don't do what they are told. This is not smart politics - and the issues raised by many are now coming home to roost. I used to always support the US ( I grew up in Europe and without the support of the US we would have lost our freedom), but the current administration is behaving in such an arrogant and aggressive way that they are going to loose many friends... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Yes, funny that. I did not notice initially.... I always supported a strong alliance with the US, no matter if I lived in Europe or Australia. But now I am worried about the mentality that has developed in the States. Too much John Wayne for my taste...... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

So what you are saying is that you do not give a shit about other peoples opinion? So why did you start this thread in the first place? (\shouting) Ron! Billvon! Hook! come over here.... I found your "prime example" of what you are talking about when you say we need some kind of regulation / mandatory education.... Sure not everybody that does what you do is going to be hurt or killed, but boy, you sure are playing the odds..... I just hope you'll be safe and sound in spite of your attitude.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I just hope this incident will not come back to bite you... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Solo RW is like making love solo --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Hmmmmmm, Interesting to see you "Yanks" discussing foreign policy. I grew up in Europe surrounded by nukes (sometimes very close to being used) during the cold war and live now in the Pacific region where the NK issue is a burning issue. I'll be honest with you guys - it is my clear impression that the US population and their political leaders have very little understanding of international issues. a) Because you are not very interested in anything outside the US and b) Because not many Americans have a deeper understanding of the history and cultural issues in the different regions of the world. - and especially watching "Fox News" makes me scared.... (things are not as easy as "the good guys" and "the bad guys" ) When NATO was strong, the US used to at least consult with their allies and get a lot of input and take it onboard. The current administration does not give a damn and whilst I know Americans do not like the French and other Europeans for their opposition to the War, in hindsight a lot of their concerns have come true. Iraq is going to be a very messy affair for a long time and I feel very sorry for the American families loosing loved ones. I also think that the WMD issue shows that the US administration did not do their homework. I supported getting rid of Saddam, but for different reasons (stabilising the region) - but not in the way the US did with a narrow coalition and no idea what to do when the fighting stops. I find both Iraq and Afghanistan have been poorly handled (Where is Saddam, where is Osama - how well is Afghanistan doing?) by the US. Remember all of this was supposed to be a war against Terror?? So when the US is focussing on NK - I am really concerned. They have not demonstrated any understanding of local issues and cultures. And if this is being handled poorly we might have some mushroom clouds going off....... Looking from the outside I was much more comfortable with the foreign policy of the Clinton administration. my 2 C --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Just a thought: dz.com has become a very international place. Lots of Aussies, Brits and people from lots of other countries and regions. I noticed that some threads are really only of interest for people located in the US or that interesting stuff relating to us "down under" easily is overlooked. So what about some forums for "localised/regional" issues and news? This could make it easier for people (example here Aussies) to get answers to "where is a good rigger in Sydney?" or to talk about an upcoming party for the "Relworkers" in Melbourne. You could start with regional forums for: - Asia / Pacific - UK & Ireland - Continental Europe - Eastern Europe - Africa - South America Maybe even some split for the US too.. oh, shit ... I forgot the Canadians.... What do you think? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Back in the late 70's I knew a jump pilot called "Twiggy". He was about 300 pounds plus. They got him to jump once. Static line with a T-10.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Agreed. It makes me wonder what changes are significant and which are not, which aspects are built in to the various proposals and which are not, and which aspects should be built in to the proposals and which should not. nathaniel This is why people have been saying "listen to the guys with experience". The sport has gone through many major changes over the last 30 years. Many of those changes had significant safety challenges. Nothing in this sport is black and white and heck, there is not even much decent statistics available. That is why experience is important...... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Correct me if I am wrong: For D license you need 200 jumps+ in the US? If this is correct Nina, then I think you have not read the discussions correctly. Most of the guys who are advocating regulations are making a point of saying that it is the "medium" experienced jumpers - 200 - 600 jumps who are the biggest problem. They think they are skygods but they are not. Those are the ones the regulation supporters think need to be regulated foremost. And in regard to "holding back" newer jumpers (A.B,C license?) - I assume you are not advocating guys with 50-100 jumps flying 1.5 HP canopies? --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I agree with Thomas (maybe because I also just came back after a looong layoff - 11 years only though). Pull altitudes were around 2000 feet when I first jumped - one reason being that it took so long to get to altitude with the small Cessna's that you did not want to "waste" altitude. We did 3/4 ways from 6500 feet (2000 meter) as a standard. I think the opening altitudes were quite low especially in my early days jumping with Capewells etc. A mal would take longer to deal with. Most new type of canopies definitely take longer to open - so I have put my own "standard" opening altitude to 3000 feet. This way I am under fully deployed main between 2 and 2.5 K. I find this to be a decent compromise. The funny thing is that some of the "high openers" are sometimes 300 jump wonders with pocket rockets who are concerned about spinning mals that loose a lot of altitude fast. Therefore they open higher. Funny - first they are conservative in opening high and then they are trying to kill themselves on landing (sorry - being naughty now) --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

To my knowledge you can buy those only as VHS video in PAL at: http://www.skydivingvideos.de/index1.htm I did and the quality is good, nut it is PAL not NTSC. --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I just signed up for a Canopy Flying Seminar with Rob McMillan and Drew Lipinski (who are canopy "gods" here "down under") for the first week-end in August. The guys have done it a few places around Australia. I'll post if something interesting comes up hat might contribute to this discussion...

Come on Ron... you are loving it You would not be discussing WL issues on dz.com if you are not enjoying being abused --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

I think it is a worldwide fact that DZ's are not a very profitable business venture. I think cost structure is quite similar in OZ. I had a chat with an insider and the way it was explained to me is: - Income from sports skydivers only covers cost in most cases. - Profit margins are achieved with students and tandems. - Additional margin is achieved by having professional video facilities and get most first time AFF and Tandems to pay for the video. - Gear hire is also profitable. Cost of rental gear ~ 300 jumps to pay for the rig. So if the DZ looks after it and maintains it and it gets utilised (i.e. lots of students), it is good business. - Additional income can come from gear dealership and rigger services - If DZO or staff is qualified, higher margin activities can also be created from being able to do training courses for ratings and do other courses and workshops (e.g. camera, canopy control etc.). Key is to invest enough from the start. Example: if you "only" have a C-182 you will struggle to make enough money to upgrade to a turbine. Why? It is more difficult to "attract" and "process" enough volume of high margin business to both pay fixed and variable cost - plus accumulate funds to invest in bigger planes. Example: If you have a larger plane, e.g. a Caravan, you can easily process 20 AFF students on one course over a weekend with the first jump on the Sunday. Probably not possible with a C-182. Better to invest in a larger, faster plane from the start IF you have good marketing skills and are located ina decent "market" (enough population within driving distance for your AFF and Tandem "pipeline"). IF you can attract enough AFF and Tandems you will turn a profit and the sport skydivers will help filling the plane and create the right atmosphere at the DZ. Also, with a larger plane it is easier to be able to "process" students and Tandems AND have sports skydivers on board on the same lift. If you try to do both with a small plane you are sure to piss somebody off because they can not get on a lift. Larger planes aslo allows you to do "group specials" and attract the corporate market etc. and greater revenue stream allows more marketing and better facilities in order to attract more volume etc. It is that easy and that difficult - basically you need enough volume of high margin business constantly. However, the higher the initial investment, the higher the risk. Anyway, that is how I've got it explained. But even successful turbo DZO's with lots of students and tandems are not rich people, but they can probably make a reasonable income. So it is a type of business you only want to be in for the love of the sport. Edit: PS: And in regard to how to get from a small Cessna to an expensive turbo - you do not buy one - you lease one. But you have to be sure to have the volume or you will be broke very quickly.... --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Did you know there was turbulence? How will you know in the future? Wendy W. Ouchh.... Wendy hits the nail where it hurts.... Maybe lesson is to be a little more conservative in stronger wind conditions.... maybe lesson is that you might want to think one more time before downsizing from 1.2 to 1.6 ??? (taking cover now) --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.

Was 25 years on 18 June since first jump (T-10) at 2000 feet from C-172 --------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray.