Unstable

Thank you for sharing this. Too many people are expiring under perfectly good canopies, maybe your experience will benifit some other jumpers as well as yourself. Blue Skies, =========Shaun ==========

I can think of some DZ's that were started so some wealthy person could just have a DZ to their own - they had the $ to make all the initial investments. Does anybody think that this could be a stepping stone for growth - or just a rich kids toy? =========Shaun ==========

Our S&TA brings his 4-year old daughter to the DZ all the time. It's interesting to see how every person at the DZ is watching out for her, and keeping her occupied while her dad is in the sky. I think if you took your kid to the DZ, he/she would be in good hands. =========Shaun ==========

Adding these up would generate a smal profit- but how does a DZ get the kick in the pants to move from 1 or 2 cessna's to a small turbine? Thats a huge step...... =========Shaun ==========

5-0. Did a night jump on saturday in which i missed the peas by less than 5 feet. I think bets were taken if i was going to make it or not, sorry to put down the people who trusted in me. Oh yeah, got some awsome RW coaching with our S&TA, who helped me learn some good stuff. Not enough people wanted to jump to open the DZ today. M'Fuc#$rs. next time that happens i'm going to force them out of bed and to the DZ.

I hate you. Hey, i can jump a SUPER CESSNA about an hour away!! I know, i know........................... =========Shaun ==========

How about this one: I dream day in and Day out of A Beautiful, DeHavilland Twin Otter. Alas, Here in Kansas, They are as rare as a Hurricaine. =========Shaun ==========

After reading some of these forums, you can't deny that skydivers act as a large family. I don't lie when i tell you that i have never met a Skydiver that i didn't like. I Think that atmosphere can be a little Cliquish at times, perhaps scaring away newer jumpers. =========Shaun ==========

I think it is the people that keep me going to some degree - but it all boils down to whats inside a person. If it were only the people, nobody would stay with the sport through the difficult times. Personally, I jump because I love to fly, and i love the Challenge that Relative Work Presents to me. =========Shaun ==========

I am having a hard time seeing that. People now days especially thrive off adrenelin caused by fear - overcomming it creates such a high that it would seem to keep jumpers in the sport. =========Shaun ==========

This is a question that has been bugging me since day one of my participation in the Sport - i don't expect any definative answers, but Maybe someone wiht some more experience can point me in the right place. How does a Dropzone work? Financially. I've only jumped at 4 dropzones, and all i hear about is "breaking even" I can see a Single Cessna DZ operation itself with low margins, as with the Case of my home DZ, KSUPC, running loads of experienced Jumpers, the occasional FJC and students. What I Just don't seem to understand is how a Single Cessna DZ can ever grow to the point where the can gainfully operate 2 Cessnas, a Small Turbine, or even a fleet. Realalistacally, I don't see how Licenced Jumpers can turn enough of a profit to create growth. Even small "tandem factories" seem to get stuck at that 2-cessna barrier. Economic growth in this sport comes in such huge leaps, i just can't imaging any DZ Ever able to positivly grow without sustaining substantial debt. Maybe i just need to spend some time going through some DZ's books, but that seems like priority Information that will not be redily given out. Does somebody have any reasources i cna look to for how a DZ can financially sustain itself to the point it can break even or even possibly see a growth?? I am no finance major, but i do have a VERY strong math background being in Actuarial Sciences. I try to play with the nubmers i find from different sources, just doens't seem to fit. =========Shaun ==========

Excellent point that is well taken. I am no marketing major by any means, but if you watch the commercials during an Xgame or some other "extream" sport (hard to consider Staking EXTREAM after jumping from airplanes at 13.5) their commercials appeal to a younger, more impressionable audience. And even Auto Racing has it's cash flow to worry about - people drop all sorts of $$ on auto racing merchandise or actually going to the tracks. I would bet that a well operated tandem factory with enough money for good publicity could benifit from such an approach. People watch a skysurfer, they too will want to go out and skysurf (or do a tandem once and never be heard from again) I would be a well run campaign could REALLY get a DZ going. =========Shaun ==========

If I had not realized this early on, the frusterations caused thereof may have put an end to my involvement in the sport. Distance yourself from it early on, jump for fun and for life...... Not for ANYBODY else =========Shaun ==========

I always thought of a forbidden lady not really one who is FORBIDDEN like under age, but more one i fail to get her to see an interest in myself. Geee, is your mind in the gutter =========Shaun ==========

This may be hard for Normal People (you, me, and maybe three others) to understand, but some people just don't ever get into it. I see those 4-5 jump student just standing around, not really caring if they get to go up or not. In a sport like ours, those who don't push on diligantly in the beginning get washed out in about 5 or 6 skydives. =========Shaun ==========

Upon inspection i still FAILED to violate any of the given rules. =========Shaun ==========

Ewwww, Why would anybody want to ride on the same airplane as Hilary Clinton!!!! =========Shaun ==========

No, that sounds like me too. I think most of the time it involves ladies that i fancy. =========Shaun ==========

I wish i had more time to read things that i enjoy.... Things that i don't enjoy reading that i read that i am reading anyways is Actuarial Mathematics book 3: It's REAAAAAlLLLLY exciting...... =========Shaun ==========

Wow, you get drunk and then go post....... Sober up for tommorow dude, the weather looks good from sea to shining sea, go jump =========Shaun ==========

Hey, be gratefull at least that you have a real job...... =========Shaun ==========

~~~~~~~~~>>>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Good luck with the new schedule --- At least you'll get some good hours in $$$ =========Shaun ==========

ARMY OF PIRATES!!! AARRRGGGGHH!! Nevermind.... =========Shaun ==========

How about Adding ol' Unstable to the List. I'm gunna be up there nothing short of 11 days. I am working for my rigger in KC packing tandem Rigs in his tent/station. I hope to meet a lot of these Great DZ.comers i've been talking to online for so long! let me know if there is anything i can do for the DZ.com community up there. Blue Skies =========Shaun ==========

Best Wishes from over here. I REALLY wish you two the best - no person should have to go throught the pain of a divorce, it isn't something i would wish upon ANYBODY. I hope your counselor helps. I'm glad that you had the sense to seek professional help, you owe it to yourself, your relationship, and your significant other. I don't mean to sound like a preacher, but maybe taking some time away from the sport would be a good thing in your life right now. Losing a good hobby and a lifestyle is one thing, losing your loved one is another. Spend some saturday with her - take her out for a day. Best wishes. You have the privilage of being in a sport that behaves like a family, so know that your skydiving brothers & sisters will always be there for you. Blue Skies, =========Shaun ==========