RogerRamjet

The first closing loops I saw on commercial gear were on the Pop-Top reserve. The first I saw on piggyback rigs were on Booth's Wonderhog when I went to work for him. The Strato-Star didn't come out until a few months later as I got the first one delivered in Florida and the container for them came much later and didn't "ship with every canopy." (either that or they still owe me a container ) The commercial giants at the time (I went to work to build the first Wonderhogs for Booth in late 1974) like Pioneer and Strong were still using cone/grommets on their piggyback systems. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Rick, wow... long time no talk to. You don't happen to have any more shots from 73-75 do you? I know most of the faces in that shot, but not all. I just heard from Ski (of Ski, Ski, Moore, and Moore fame) that Peanuts (far right in the shot for those that don't know him) is still lurking around somewhere. Saw them, Scotty Carbone, and Carl Daugherty at the Marathon Keys boogie a couple of weeks ago. If you happen to have any shots that I'm in, I'd sure love to get a copy. I have only a few from those times... What are you up to these days? ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Doug, I was... I did not read the intent of your post correctly, sorry ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Post back here in 10 years and let me know how many people you have known that have been killed in an automobile accident vs. how many skydivers you have known killed while skydiving... So far in either thread on this subject, no jumper with more than a few years in the sport has posted with stats that favor skydiving even though they all know a ton more drivers than jumpers. I still do not know anyone killed driving and I'm way into double digits on jumpers killed. YMMV (but I doubt it). ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

I have friends that work in two of the larger emergency rooms in south Florida. One in Wellington (West Palm Beach area) and one in Jackson Memorial in Miami. I asked them about this after reading your post. They both said that since the helmet law was repealed here in Florida, the fatality rate for motorcycle accidents they deal with has "sky rocketed." Their words, not mine. Ask any ER worker, they don't care about government stats... I've had two serious motorcycle accidents, the helmet saved my head both times. I would not think of riding without one, period. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Hey Hoop, I wonder if that statement was more true in the old days of direct bag deployed T-10s like I learned on at Z-Hills. In all the time I packed there and hung out, I never saw even a malfunction on one. What do you think? Seems like the bad stats started after static line at least in those days... ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Talked to my dad this weekend, turns out he remembers you from Z-hills. Says he bought a rig from you back in the day! So there ya go... small world, eh?

You have not met me as far as I know. I'm sure my last jump in 1980 was before you started I'm glad Roger is coming and I exchanged email with Carl, so I know he's coming also. I have it in my calendar and will do my best to come down. I shot some ground photo's last time (2 years ago) and will probably do more of that this time if I'm still allowed out in the landing area. They are posted in the photo section here under Roger Ramjet/Keys Boogie. Gotta have some of Scotty's cooking too you know! I have many jumps with Scotty, many with Carl, and a few with Roger in the "old days." Just keeping in touch and threatening to make some more jumps one day... See you there! Wendy, I can't believe you didn't say you weren't coming this year! When I arrived, the two women who were directing traffic told me you were not to be there this year. I did get to hook up with Carl, Roger, and Scotty. And as a bonus, Ski and Donna Chmielewski who I used to jump at Z-Hills with were there this year. So, a very successfull reunion trip for me. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

I asked a friend of mine, Bill Zucchelli who started at Ft. Bragg in 1960 about this. Do you know him? Here is his reply: ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Were you the one designated to hold Arch stable ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Contratulations to Dave! Hmmm, that seems a little low or maybe some of them don't care to report it. There are two in this thread and I know two personally (Scotty Carbone had 12,500 two years ago and Carl Daugherty had 16,500 at that time). A major acheivement by any measure! ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

I heard stories like this off and on and worried a bit about it. But, with literally hundreds of jumps from this aircraft in a canary yellow jumpsuit, I never had an oil problem. I think the main time to keep clear is during start up (on all radials really). ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

I can't wait to see that! I believe the only year we had a C-46 at the Turkey meet was 1975, but could be wrong about that... ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Hmmm, it was certainly a re-engined aircraft, but I thought it was a 195 refitted with a 450hp engine like the ones in the L10E. They also replaced the wing at one time as I recall. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

That would be terrific! I have tons of jumps from both, maybe I'm in your films (I doubt it, but who knows). ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Hey all, I'm looking for photographs that might include the Cessna 196 that Z-Hills owned during the '70s. The aircraft served as a skydiving plane for quite a long time and has now found its way into the hands of a private owner who is restoring her to her old glory. He is most interested in the aircraft's history and I thought a post here might help. I have a ton of jumps from it. As I remember it, it was gray when I first started there in 1973. Sometime around mid 74 or so, it was stripped down to bare metal and polished. Then at a later time, it was painted with the rainbow Z-Hills logo colors that the C-47 also shared. Here is a link to a shot that Jim Hooper sent me recently of both aircraft: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/gallery/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Personal_Galleries/RogerRamjet/Blast_from_the_Past&image=C47andC196.jpg&img=&tt= ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

I don't know where or when they were invented, but my first one was in 1973 over Z-Hills. I think it was a weekday and not many people there, so this girl (Paula Zitzelburger) asked me to go up and do some two way with her. After maybe two of the maneuvers, she pulls me in and we make out for the rest of the dive. Fantastic! (she was beautiful BTW). Maybe they were invented on both sides of the country at the same time

I don't recognize your name, but I wouldn't be surprised either. His name is Mike Ashley, and he does have a username on DZ.com, Skydance, I think. He started jumping in Ontario, mostly at Arthur, which has been shut down for several years now. But you could have run into him at Z-hills in the 70's, Alberta or Lost Prairie in the 80's, or Skydive Greene County from '93 on. Plus several nationals since he's a camera guy. Ok, I'll look for him. But if you talk to him first... I was the rigger at Z-Hills for two years 73,74 and jumped there and Deland quite a bit. Part of 74 and early 75 I moved to Miami and built the first 100 or so Wonderhogs for Bill Booth and jumped at the Glider Port mostly (Z-Hills too). 75 into 76 moved to Aurora Ill. to build rigs for Bill Buchmann. Jumped at Hinkley with side trips to Sturgis MI, and the Richmond Boogie. 76 to 80, Z-Hills, Deland, the Sod Farm in Tampa. Have also jumped at Downsville MD. and was in the first 8 man at Woodbine MD. Pass that on and see if we crossed paths somewhere. His name does sound familier, but 30 years is a real blender when it comes to names... ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

This is an incredibly true argument, and I have thought of this myself, though I've never expressed it to anyone or until now heard anyone use it. I chose not to use this simply becuase as he said, it's not very statistical. I've been around skydiving literally since I was in diapers. I'm only 25 and I've already lost count of how many people I've known who have gone in, but I would estimate around 15. My father has been jumping since 1974, and of course his list is much longer. As for auto accidents, I've known a few people who were killed in them, but the number can be counted on one hand. Who is your father, maybe I know him? ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

For the record, I do NOT think that skydiving is safer than driving. The point I was trying (apparently poorly) to make is that just because someone (e.g. ME) has known more people to die driving than skydiving, that experience, in itself, does not mean skydiving is safe. On the other hand, just because a person has had the opposite experience, that, in itself, does not make skydiving dangerous. In other words, individual experiences will vary which is why a broad statistical analysis is a more accurate way to assess danger than by relying anecdotal evidence. Perhaps my statement "interesting perspective" gave off an adversarial vibe. If so, that was unintentional. All I meant, literally, was that your post was, well, interesting. Regardless, I'm totally at a loss as to how the hell my original post was interpreted to mean skydiving is safer than driving. Perhaps someone could explain to me... Relax, I didn't take it as adversarial at all. I think there will be a number of perspectives on this subject depending on each individual's own experience in the sport. I was just adding my own observations to the mix and my own "opinion" of how it all looks to me. If it helps to know a little more of my observations, I knew a few jumpers that I "knew" would go in eventually. They were the real risk takers from my perspective, low pullers, drugs, whatever; I just knew they were more likely than others to come to a premature end. Unfortunately, I have also known very good, very safe (IMO) jumpers who went in anyway and that just has to skew anyone's perspective a bit. I do think the individual can mitigate the risks to an acceptable level (not eliminate mind you). 1) Know your gear and how it works. It amazes me these days to see how many jumpers have no clue how their system works other than pull this handle for this and that handle for that. 2) Know (and practice) your EP's for each foreseeable circumstance. Making up your reaction to a particular scenario during the event is a sure way to have big problems. 3) Execute what must be done in a timely fashion. This applies to everything from the throw to when to begin EP's if needed. 4) Be as aware as possible of what is going on around you until you're off the landing area. That is when the jump has concluded, not before. There is a ton of other stuff too, but those are "my" basics for survival. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

Well, I agree to some extent. You might notice I said "Most" in my post. Also, at two years in, I think you're pretty normal to have not known anyone who went in yet. The first I knew happened to be the first year I jumped. The next two were 40 minutes apart two years later. If you think about it, pretty much everyone you have ever or will ever meet drives and hardly any in comparison jump. If you keep at it, the sad reality is that you will probably know jumpers who die. And.. the percentage of jumpers you know vs. those who died will be far greater than the same stat for drivers you know (even though you already have 3 [sorry for that]). If you hang around for a really long time, it just gets worse. I just exchanged emails with Jim Hooper who used to own the Z-Hills center. He started well before me and is still active on and off. He has not known any drivers to die and is in to triple digits for jumpers he has known. To compare other experiences from my life, I rode performance sport bikes for 13 years, fell off twice but never knew anyone who died riding though I hung with a pretty aggresive group. I have now been a competitive water-skier since 1989 at one of the largest facilities in the world and still have all my friends from when I started. Bottom line for me is that in my opinion, the drive to the dropzone is far safer than the jump. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

I've thought about this on and off too. There are several different replies in this thread already, but here is my take: When I got involved in skydiving in 1973, I was told that if I kept at it, I would know someone who went in. Sure enough, someone did that same year. I have seen that same comment posted by people who have just started jumping within the last year or two, that someone told them they would know someone who went in. Well, over the next 7 years, I knew 5 people who went in and in the remaining time until now, the number is in the 60s or 70s (I don't really want to know). In all that time, I have always known at least as many drivers as skydivers (actually a ton more). To this day (I am now 53), I have never known anyone killed in an auto accident. So, to those participating in this thread and have more than say 3 years of active jumping behind them I ask "how many fatalities due to jumping vs. how many due to driving of people you have known?" Not very statistical maybe, but I bet most will know no one killed driving and at least 1 killed jumping. It is dangerous... my method certainly does not compare overal rates of jumping vs. driving, but to me it's a fairer comparison to include all the skydivers I know vs. all the drivers I know. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

The most natural skydiver I've ever been in the air with was Roger Nelson. He once told me he thought is training in Tang Soo Do (other end of the same Island as Tae Kwon Do) gave him an awarness of his body that helped his jumping. He was a brown belt. Probably any of the MA disiplines would help in that regard. I started some training with him in Tang Soo do, but never got good enough to say if it helped me or not. Another talented jumper from the old days was Jim Bohr, he had a black belt in Ish En Roo so maybe there is something to it though I have certainly known some great jumpers with no MA training.... ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

There are pictures of a beardless Bill hanging proudly in the conference room here at United Parachute Technologies. He does not hide them. Come by the shop for a tour and I'll show them to you. Mark Klingelhoefer (trying to get used to the new name) Hi Mark, It was just a joke (except the part about everyone associating him and the beard, not many have seen him without that are still around)... But thanks for the invite; I've never been through the shop there and I'm sure you have more than 1 734 and 1 single needle machine these days I go through the Deland area a few times a year, but never seem to have the time to stop. I'll see what I can do about that. ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519

What would happen if the beard went away...... oh the horror It is interesting how many people associate the beard and Bill as a single entity. You might be surprised to know that he had no beard when he started the shop and no beard when I left his shop in early 1975 (about 125 rigs sold at that time). I'm sure Pam (Pam Tayon rented Bill her garage as a workshop for the first Wonderhogs) has a photo of the clean shaven Bill somewhere, but I think Bill has paid her to not let it out And to Bill, whatever you call your shop, you are still the man when it comes to rig inovation! ----------------------- Roger "Ramjet" Clark FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519