chuteless

There are some real interesting comments made in this thread. The Para-Commander was one of the best chutes ever made, and I think I only had 2 malfinctions on them, one of was becasuse I packed a heavy 16mm movie camera in the apex to pouint down at me once it opened. I did it againlater, and it finally worked. One PC canopy seemed prone to have problems, and I almost always was able to clear them quickly. My black and Gold PC was the best. Great for low openings with 2 pilot chutes and a few other tricks. That was most enjoyable of them all. I almost always got stand up landings, but by the same token, I got lots of those on 28 ft C-9 military canopies. On one jump I hookedup with a guy , we separated and opened, he was on the ground and I was still at 1500 ft in a Thermal. I finally had to corkscrew my way out of it to get down. On other jumps I can Irecall tipping my toes down to reach the ground because the chute was landing so slow. Years ago, Darryl Henry, Canada's top jumper at the time, wrote an article for Can Para titled "Looping the Para-Commander". It was very well done, with trick photos, and you'd be amazed at the number of people who actually thought it was possible to loop the canopy. Maybe someone can find that article and republish it again...Its a greatr laugh...especially when the "real" wuffos read it. Bill Cole D-41

Back in 1977, I was training the Ecuador Special Forces and they were all jumping new round canopies made by Irvin Industries of Canada. The chutes were like a Para Commander, and handled much the same. My interpreter was a Captain in the army, and he took a fancy to the Delta II that I was jumping, a triangular chute with fast turnms and good forward speed. He asked to jump it, and I told him sure, but NO turns below 150 ft,,just set uop into the wind and land that way. Sure enough he did that, but decided to make a turn at about 150 ft, and flew straight into the side of a hill. He came limping out with his arms around the neck of two other soldiers...holding him up, and a 3rd carrying my rig. Some people cannot be told, and although they say they understand their memory isnt long enough to last out one jump. There will always be thsoe who go splat, and others will continue to pick up the pieces. To bad, but you cannot prevent foolishness. Bill Cole D-41

my first main was a 28 ft ex-military canopy that was modified to steering. The miod was called a "goose", and why I have no idea. My oldest son made his first jump on the same canopy 9 years later, and it eventually was cut up for scrap. Bill Cole

when I first started jumping, we discussed Da Vinci's parachute at length. The measurement used was 12 "bracia by 12 bracia" which I imagine is an Italian measurement sonmething like the 36" yard. It always fascinatied me how he packed it into a container LOL. Bill Cole

That is one great site. I have E Mailed it to all my relatives. Thanks for letting us know about it, God bless you Bill Cole

THANKS SO VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU> Im home from the hospital after 5 days, but couldnt believe my eyes on this thread...you opeople are really great. I have decided not to make any more jumps. I am very short of breath, and this morning I broke into a 1/2 houyr cold sweat just beating the juice out of a tea bag I know well, that something isnt right with my innards, and I dont like the doctors who want to use me as an experiment dummy. I used to jump at competitions as a wind dummy and thats where I draw that line. I will eventually sell what gear I have left, and that will be it. I will continue to monitor DZ.COM, the best website anywhere. I'll also drop in at a few dropzones, just to see you guys and gals enjoy the sky I'm ready to go when the Lord calls on me, and my life is entirely in His hands. I have another doctors appt tomorrow, and we'll see where I go fromthere. I managed to jump in my 20s, my 30s,40s,50s, and 60s, but was never to get even one in my 70s. Thats the way it goes, so all you DZ . Commers can make one for me. I promise not to claim it in my logbook hanks again for your support and vibes. You are great. Bill Cole

A bunch of us did a jump from 12500 from a Britain Islander and on the way down, one guy's arm became dislocated. He managed to suffer through the jump, but the opening shock was horrendous. He landed and was rushed to hospital where they put it back in the socket. OUCH. I crushed a vertebrae on the same jump when my feet clipped a 60 ft pine tree, allowing the chute to collapse. I recall falling through the tree and it seems I saw the canopy passing me. I landed flat on my back and my belly wart kept going as though it wanted to cut me in half Someone mentioned ambulance, and I convinced a guy to pull me up...stiff as a board, and I walked out, and drove back to the hotel and into a hot bath. OUCH Again

as I said, I am very unmaterialistic...I dont have enough to leave my children...they are doing okay on their own. I have NO will, except a strong will to serve the Lord. Sure, lets wait and see pre-2008. As for the Mayan calendar, I think it is reported as Dec 17th 2012. I dont agree that the world will end in that year, but there will be many things happen that will get the attention of the whole world. Hang in there... Even if I had the material to wager with you, I wouldnt gamble on anything...including lotteries. Bill Cole

and a very merry CHRISTmas to you too. I also wish you a Happy and properous New Year....and a safe one Bill Cole

The Lord will back it up...after all He is in charge, and the prophesies are in His WORD As fo "lighten up", Christ is the light of my life....to bad you are still in the dark. Bill Cole

greets: Your post shows how little you know about the Bible. Daniel is a book of prophesy, and NOT the warring nations of the time. His visions in Chapter 7-8-9-11, are total prophesy, and at the end of Chapter * ( I believe its 8) he says that no one understood his visions and he himself didnt even understand them, so he kept them in his heart. He had found them very disturbing because he couldnt explain them. If they had been nothing but news reports, everybody would have known their meanings and understood them. Its you that doesnt understanmd I do not have a Christmas tree in my home. You are right...Bush wilkl be re-elected, and without spiritual understanding, you will just have to wait and see ( your words). If I was to tell you what would take place before the end of Bush's second term, you couldnt handle it, because the truthis sometimes hard to accept. actually, I am the most unmaterialistic person you will ever meet. Hang in there, and have a Merry CHRISTmas.... Bill Cole

I had a friend who did, and never bothered to use his reserve. hard to figure that one out. Bill Cole D-41

Glad to know there is interest out there in skydiverland. For what you may think of it, My father began a very dedicated and comprehensive study of God's WORD about the time I was born (71 yrs ago). When he died in 1961, I got his papers and relevant data, and took up where he left off. I know its hard to impress something on people who do not wish to believe it, but it is the most in depth study I have ever seen, and proves beyond the slightest doubt that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and exactly who the Bible says he is. To go into a 70+ year study on DZ.com and sum it up like a smap of the fingers would be impossible, and I ask that you understand that fact. However, the prophecies of those who God gave spiritual understanding to, have come true for them all, except for tjhose relating to the end of days, such as found in Jeremiah, Daniel and of course, the Book of Revelation which describes much of what is yet to come. The war In Iraq and Afghanistan has been foretold more than 2000 years ago, and it s coming true just like the Bible says it would. George W. Bush will be the last President the United States of America will ever have, and that too, is foretold in the Bible,very definitely!!!! I wont go into what will happen to the USA, because when people dont wish to believe something, they will flat out refuse to.. I'm not trying to rattle anyone's chain here, but I DO know the Bible,m and what it says. Its not MY personal interpretation, but a clear detailed account of whats coming, and it was written BY GOD, through men who were moved by the Holy Spirit of God. If you cannot understand that, then all the explanations I could give for the next 1000 years ( if the world had that long) will never satisfy. I would dearly love to sit down wih any of you, and explain as much as I could in a couple of hours, but I'll not likely ever get that chance. Many of you w9ish to use this topic as some sort of joke, and thats your perogative, but I assure you, there will be severe changes in this world and how it is going to destruction in the next while. Islamic terrorists will not stop their hatred of America and Israel, until they have rendered both impotent. The Bible tells about the USA, Russia, China, England, North Korea and many countries that did not exist when the Bible was written. Its all there for those who wish to study it, and I and my father have done so for a very long time. Our findings are not a joke, but a very serious study of God's design for this world that He created, and which man is on the verge of destroying. I hope all no believers have a great CHRISTmas. Just remember, every time you wish someone a Merry CHRISTmas, or give a gift at CHRISTmas, or celeebrate in any way, you ARE acknowledging the birth of God's Son, and that He is born to rule this world. Thanks for that. Best wishes to everyone, and may God take your heart to Himself. Bill Cole

regardless, when it takes place, I wouldnt want to live in Philly.

I exited in -60 degrees F at 32500 feet. My eyes watered on the way down and froze, and the resulting ice scratched my eyeball badly. I didnt wear goggles then, but had a jet pilot helmet with a face visor. The visor actually caused a vortex which ground the eye across my eyeball. I didnt mind the cold, but the eye hurt. I finally closed that eye, and lost dept perception using only one eye

1000 ft

Here is a quote verbatim from a book released last year. You may not want to believe it, but its food for thought....more than you can imagine. " The prospect of another attack against the United States is very, very real" said Dick Cheney. " Not a matter of if, but when" "Defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld told a Senate committee that terrorists would obtain weaopons of mass destruction. " They have chemicalweapons,biological weapons, some will shortly have nuclear weapons. They inevitably are going to get their hands on them, and they would not hesitate to use them for one minute. We do face additional terrorist threats" he added, " the question is not if, but when, where and how". Its inevitable" said FBI Director Robert Mueller. There will be another attack. We will not be able to stop it. I wish I could be more optimistic". I agree with all three of them, but for many biblical reasons I do not think the nuclear attack will take place until 2005 or 2006. However, I am absolutely sure it WILL take place. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan and ALL that is to follow them was prophesied to take place about 2500 years ago. I didnt start this thread, and I sure hope it doesnt spoil anyone's Christmas.

I cannot believe how paranoid skydivers are these days. your constanmt worry about openings, giving blood, and having bells and whistles to remind you the jump is over, and all the other nonsense has taken MOST of the fun out of your sport. relax a bit....if you have to worry....do so about something important. Bill Cole

You'll be okay as long as you didnt give all you had. We used to jump into blood clinics and then donate just for the team publicity. Dont worry....you'll be okay to jump 15 minutes after giving it. Bill Cole

It is the Muslim/Islamic goal to have an Islamic world, and they will do anything to achieve that. I also do not believe it will ever come to that....thanks be to God.

PETA sent the German cannibal a vegetarian cook book. I always thought PETA meant "Please Eat The Animals" Bill Cole

it belonged to a guy who used to jump with me and my team. He never really used it much, and I phoned him and he said I could have it for $$....not too much. Its already in a container and harness, and since I still have a front mount reserve, I'll get some use from the PC next summer. He also has some other stuff, and I'll make him an offer....and Im sure he wont turn me down. I think the PC is the church window color scheme Bill.

I was always told that the knife was to slit your throat before you mushed into Mother earth. Gosh, ya learn somethin every day on DZ.com. Bill Cole

a friend of mine was caught by police radar speeding very fast. The cop came up to his car and said, " I've been waiting all day to catch someone like you" my friend replied " Well, I got here as fast as I could" The cop started to laugh and let him go.

I think it was a great effort, but I wish Tony Blair had done the same thing at the same time for the Brits. However, Bush gets a full pat on the back for his consideration...even though it may be for getting votres later...I feel he deserves them. Bill Cole