mikeat10500

This comment reminds me of a jumper we have now , Big John. Big John came to us with 90 round jumps(military). He had good enough exits and was very on the ball. So do to the shortage of freefall instructors at the time he went, clear and pull. On one such hop n' pop(maybe 5 sec delay) his body flight left something to be desired and gave himself a mal on a manta(very slow speed). He played with it a wile and cut away at normal altitude and opened his reserve( I'm sure the RSL was faster...but he did pull for himself). Now he has not learned much about stable body position between exit and cutaway of the main....he gets a line over on the round reserve!(Wow...that's like a double mal). So he is now descending at a reasonable rate under a May West....wait what's this...half of the reserve canopy now collapses! It re-inflates and does it 2 more times! Big john had just cleared his line over on his reserve via his military training....cool! I would have left it alone....but that's just me. ....mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

Hi Bill I jammed my thumb in the door before taking off...no injuries during jumping that I can remember. As for the woman with the wedding ring ,that's nasty...jewelry and skydiving...just don't mix well! ....mike

Caught my thumb in the aircraft door. OUCH!!! ...mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

Not picky....I'd let Tonto pack for me. ...mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

See that's what scares me. I like the metal handle,but I don't care what system you chose to go with. I don't want to jump a square reserve or toss away money on an AAD. That's just me and my situation. So regulate students and inform experienced jumpers! Some people may have a good reason for a soft reserve handle. Next thing you know, they will ban pull-outs,collapsible pilot chutes,tinted goggles,chewing gum,etc. I live in Canada...up here...gravity rules! ...mike

Instructors are paid in various ways, but we all live vicariously through our students. We can't make our first jump again,but we can bask in the smiles of our students after they make those first jumps. This is another way of getting something extra from skydiving. "Spreading the joy". Skydiving can change your life. Some day you may meet someone that needs a change in their life. You invite them out to the drop zone...they make their first tandem and you can feel it all over again! Oh...and the parties are good too! I think you will like it here. I found lots info and tons of cool people . ....mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

in conclusion ...mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

No actually it was a nude jump in very hot humid weather, I have a short chest strap with no doubled over end. It got all sweaty,slipped out in free fall, and when I went turn and dump(we don't track....we do CRW), my right hand MLW slide off my shoulder. I was not pleased about this and fixed it quick. I simply could not locate my chest strap at the time(it was behind me)....opened! Lost my alti-ii and hook knife( was on the chest strap). We built a bi-plane wile I was doing up my chest strap and landed out...naked! ...mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

This is important to know when you are forced to open with no chest strap. Crossing your left arm to take a grip on the right main lift web wile you reach back and dump...then bring in your right arm in...I found it easy to hold myself in the harness. ...mike

Started in '93 but only 550 jumps. Slow to start out...9 jumps first year and I don't like the cold. ...mike

I have that pic...and it is one of the reasons I jump a round reserve! .....mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

I did my first 18 jumps with no altimeter, all IAD's. I was the worst student(but thats another story). I got in the habit of looking at the ground from the aircraft @ 2000'...thinking that ""the say you could jump from here". I now have a mental picture of a safe altitude to skydive from...burnt into my brain. Now...when I get scared, and it does happen from time to time. I know my time sense goes to shit. The first thing I want to know is my altitude( read time to impact). The first thing I do is LOOK AT THE GROUND. It is very big and often easy to see. Then I confirm my altitude with my chestmount(if I can still see it). I just look at the ground and think high or low in reference to 2000'. How fast am I falling? I think eyeballing is still a useful tool to some degree. A stiletto took me for a little ride after opening 3 days ago, I thought I might have to part with it soon and the first thing I did was look at the ground...I thought GREAT, I'm at 1500' over trees with a snotty (borrowed) canopy! My eyes were as big as footballs, I'm sure!( not that current yet). I then look at the altimeter and see 2000'...I thought... "You PUSSY...calm down!" I fixed it fast.

Thankyou! ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

You must wear all the garb for it to be a real tux jump. The shoes are very slippery in the aircraft and on landing. The top hat does not like the propblast. I held the top hat against my chest on exit and it got flattened by the propblast. I punched it back in shape after I opened( hop n pop). The top hat will not stay on your head in fast turns under canopy unless you pull it down hard on your head...and it looks stupid that way. Don't fall down. ...mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

I have heard lots of crazy stories over the years but can't remember any at the moment. I hear he is a impressive canopy pilot at times, landing in crazy places. I think I remember someone saying he hooked up his main(hp) backwards for jump 5000? Hell you should know lots of stories...get the smurf drunk and pump him for info! ...mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

Dave...looks like you will be a JM soon? On the course make sure the student can't get between you and the aircraft on the ground ....they don't want you to let a student walk into the prop and will test you when really busy. This is even more important to remember when coming down with a student...'cause you don't do it very often and have not developed a routine. After landing you must escort your student back to safety. So you are at Hutch's DZ? I don't know him...but he's kinda famous! ....mike

I decided I would not let her run my life....now I'm raising 3 kids alone....but still jumping! ...mike

I have landed with the plane many times doing IAD's. I get 1 refusal a season(never leave the student to jump!). I get so busy some times I just can't pack fast enough to take the next load if we are short JM's(small DZ). Landing with our pilot is like being a tandem passenger under a VX 60!!!! It's all very exciting. P.S. I can talk anyone out of the aircraft....sometimes it's just a bad idea. ....mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

I agree 100%...Altimeter/stopwatch/EYEBALLS ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

Yep...we are pulling higher. Most people are in the saddle by 2000' ( or much higher )rather than in freefall thinking it's about that time. New slow opening HP canopies and AAD's are very common. Even I open higher now 'cause everyone else does( ok and I'm getting old too). And it's ok! ...mike

We stopped using Velcro secured pull out handles about 10 years ago up here. They would get all fuzzy like and fall off( Bunny tails and Dildos). Mine is small, flat with a stiffner inside. It tucks into to tinny pockets, one on each end. ( Matildo?) I have only seen one other style of pull out handle, on a Talon, it was more like a small freefly handle and was secured with a snap and velcro( I think). ...mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

Pull out for me too! I can not see any advantage going to a toss out system...only draw backs! ...mike ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

Power loss at low altitude is bad enough...stalling the aircraft at that point is death! The fastest way to stall the aircraft is to move C of G around wile the pilot is trying to get his ducks in a row. Best bet would be a cool pilot and a secure load. P.S. Faber...love the hair dude! ----------------------------------- Mike Wheadon B-3715,HEMP#1 Higher Expectations for Modern Parachutists.

Yes, but are they done with 4+ people in the cabin, being close to the weight/CG limits of the aircraft, with no seats to help take the inpact of a possibly hard landing? I'm talking from experience, 182 crashes fucking suck. Yep...full load=5 people (including pilot),5 rigs, and full fuel. He can land that that aircraft the same way you land you main(loaded). But you gotta be cool dude! And just for fudge factor we upsized...wing tip extensions. If it's a hard landing someone will get hurt. Small ,single engine aircraft are dangerous animals. ...mike

Power loss on take off = land with plane( crash ). Power loss above 1000' feet we can land home on the run way 99% sure full load on. Dead stick landings are done all the time (safely). P.S. Thats why the key is tied to the aircraft with a pull-up cord. ...mike