bclark

I have seen with my own eyes the reserve ripcord on a Quasar pulled, with a 5 second delay between pin extraction and the pilot chute "flopping" rather than launching onto the floor. This was 4 years ago. Could be the rig, could be the rigger. But i have seen it. The handle was pulled on the ground prior to scheduled repack.

Field elevation 5003'. Wow 1978. I knew the DZ there had some history. I wonder who ran it back then, and what type of a/c were they using. Jack is still around. He has moved his DZ to Erda, UT.

hey there, has any one out there jumped at the old drop zone at Cedar Valley Airport, in Ut? I started jumping there in '96. There is no longer an active DZ there, but there is a lot of history. The Goat Head Bar, Beech 18's, DC-3 s, Twin Bananas. I am not necessarily looking for people I know, just people who have memories of the DZ. Lot's of friends from that Dz who are no longer around. pPlease share stories.

I made 546 jumps out of Beech D-18S N6BA. I suppose you would call it a "large" door, as it was not oval. Made my first jump out of it in 1996 at Cedar Valley Utah. Last load I saw out of it was a lingerie load with all the "hot chicks" on the drop zone. I am sure someone was licking the seats after that load. Despite all the scary stories, I have the best memories of jumping that beech, and DC-3's Southern Cross and Blue Streak. Both owned by Bob Metz at the time. Round engines ROCK(ed)!

What I find the most disturbing is that in the last couple of years I can think of at least 4 ( there may be more ) incidents where the student was killed and the instructor lived.

Made my first skydive in 1997 from Beech D18S N6BA. Made 546 beech 18 jumps and a little fewer than 100 from DC3's Blue Streak and Southern Cross in Utah. The mural in the back of Southern Cross had a 2 plane DC-3 formation load dropping jumpers into the grim reapers hand. It said "Check your gear before you jump". I loved flying in these airplanes. They had PERSONALITY. And so much fun.

I was able to get out of every set of tandem line twists I ever had by kicking etc until.... I wasn't. I had a set of line twists on an Icarus so bad I was kicking and kicking and doing everything I was taught to do and ended up just kicking the shit out of my student and still having to cutaway. After that I learned the reach up and grab the risers and twist them together in the direction of the line twists. This moves the twists from the lines to the TOP of the risers where your leverage becomes VERY effective. It is the best way I have found to get out of tandem line twists period. I don't even try to kick anymore.

Jack Guthrie taught me how to skydive. I am a full time instructor at a big DZ in TX, and I will say that if you want to go skydiving in Utah go check out Skydive Utah. Beautiful views of the Great Salt Lake and a nice King Air. What more could you want? Kudos to Jack, Debbie, Lance, Heather, Sam, JOE-I, and Faris. Check out the FAST AIR @ 4300 ft.

My goal for the new year is to NOT DIE! Everything else is a bonus after that.

I was fortunate enough to grow up skydiving during a very special time at a very special place. Nathan was one of those people who's enthusiasm was absolutely infectious and not a day of my life passes that I don't think about those people and that amazing period of time. And here I am, 9 years later, still hurling myself from aircraft on a daily basis. WOO-HOO!

I was bored and cruising around the net the other day when I happened upon my home DZ's web site. They accepted Skyride GC's in the past. Now, prominently displayed in red letters: "WE NO LONGER ACCEPT SKYDIVING CERTIFICATES FROM 1800-SKYRIDE! They DO NOT have a legitimate skydiving facility in the state of Utah, nor are they affiliated with Skydive Utah in any way!" Way to go Jack!

Has anyone heard when or if arrowdynamics.inc is planning on resuming manufacture of the Hawkeye / Aviator helmets? The website www.arrowdynamicsinc.com sez they are moving to N. Carolina and would resume production in 11/04. But, it has said that for quite some time, and being that is now after 11/04 does anyone know anything?

Probably most of you will not know these folks. Some are still around: Mike Neslin Bob Metz Terri Dushane Jack Guthrie and Debbie Zimmerman Some are not: Nathan Hall Janet Gayler John Cashman

I may be wrong, but as I recall from memory the two fatalities in 2 days in Kapowsin were due to a student pulling the cutaway handle at a low altitude and a dust devil. Can anyone confirm?

I have had a few tandems students grab my hands. It has never been an iron death grip, and has always been easy for me to shake free. It usually occurs during opening shock. I have also had a student reach underneath and grab the bottom of both legs during opening shock. A bigger concern for me is the students who like to grab the risers with the shoulder snaps on them, which are uncomfortably close to my handles. I like to tell them to grab their harness below their shoulders if they feel they need to grab anything. BUT, in direct reply to the question, yes, I do tell them not to grab my hands.

Hopefully the Japanese / Sushi scene in Houston is better than the Chinese. I have been searching for decent Chinese in H-town since I moved here a year and a half ago and have been bitterly disappointed!

I also have seen 47 people in a Douglas. (Southern Cross). The DC-3 is an awesome airplane, the cabin is cavernous. I love these airplanes as I am somewhat of a round engine junkie. I've got about 600 Beech 18 jumps and close to 100 DC-3 jumps. However, most jumpers that I know of these days are what I like to refer to as "TURBINE BABIES", and will bitch about anything that does not burn jet fuel. Good luck getting your airplane to make money at an event these days. Minimum load in the Southern Cross at our DZ was 23. These were regular jump tickets prices. We flew it regularly on the weekends, but it was loaded with 6 tandems with what ever videos + fun jumpers to make up the difference. But, what an awesome airplane! Also, larger group exits can be accomplished from the Douglas if you put a "porch" outside the door. (8 foot long OSHA 2 BY 10) Ya just can't see the floaters cuz there is no 6 foot wide door.

Spacelane is open 364 days a year (closed christmas day). Provided the sun is shining and people are there to fill loads.

Logged #2300 today! woo hoo.

You need to read "The Bluegrass Conspiracy". I cannot remember the authors name. This was all a true story. Drew Thornton was an ex Lexington Kentucky police officer, who along with other ex law enforcement officials ran a huge cocaine and arms smuggling trade between the U.S. and S. America. He was a pilot, a skydiver, and a BASE jumper. There is speculation that he operated with impunity from the U.S. government in exchange for intelligence info. about S. American governments. He would fly a load of guns to S. America, then fly back with a load of cocaine. I don't know if it is true, but there is a suspected link between Drew Thornton and the crash of "Cowboy's Caravan". They think the Cartels got pissed when Drew went in and contaminated the fuel in Cowboys Caravan because he was an associate of Drew Thornton.

Good point! I think it could mostly be prevented by paying close attention to your handles in the A/C. But, once again, another reason for me to stick with original technique of leaving from a kneeling position facing forward next to the door. Also, it's a 182. Narrow or wide body, you gots ta pay attention to your movements in the airplane and protect your equipment no matter how you are leaving.

Hey Wingnut, I remember that "Mother's day" jump with Joey's mom! Happy F@#ckin Mother's day eh! I remember that was one of the first days of the spring season where it was warm (on the ground), and I decided I didn't need to wear gloves. In retrospect after hanging out side of that T-Bone watching Joey try to pry his mother's hands off of the door for well over a minute, that was a BAD DECISION!. Oh, I am Amanduh's "BF". Her mom is super cool, and was almost as easy a tandem (no jokes please) as Amanda. I took a couple of older people on tandems this weekend. I took a 71 year old yesterday and a 79 year old today. Lots of fun.

How about these? I am surprised no one else seems to have heard these before. I was almost in when she dumped in my face! I was stuck in the rear end of an Otter all day I reached back and grabbed my pud and gave it a yank and nothing happened! (sounds like a personal problem to me.) I was head down on a 3 way with 2 other guys...

Your are right, perhaps I should have stated that more clearly. If you feel like you need to do INTENTIONAL aerobatics on exit.......etc. Oh, your idea of kneeling back to dash also sounds like a good way to go. I have never tried that. I am assuming you sit most of the way to altitude, then get up on your knees to hookup? Here's another one. I have been to DZ's where when there is only one tandem pair on the airplane, the Tandem will sit next to the door and make the videographer climb over them to exit. The only reason I can think of to do this is so the Tandem doesn't have as far to move to the door. I personally take the back of the plane which gives me more room to hook up, and give the responsibility for the door and spotting to my videographer. Also I think in an aircraft emergency, it would be much easier to exit the aircraft without having to climb over a tandem. Any thoughts on this. I am curious as to what is common practice at other DZ's. BTW Thinking about all this crap sure make me glad we have 3 Otters!

The reinforcement on the fusalage is for when ice forms on the prop then is flung off.