chuteless

sometimes people go off in a tangent in a direction that can only be referred to as STUPID and CHILDISH. They seem to thing they are all rugged John Wayne in disguise....its just a matter of one day they will grow up, and both they and their foolishness will both be forgotten. My feeling is its just a lack of class and decency and a case where boys think they are ? men? it certainly isnt showing much respect for others who have died in this sport.

9 jumps for a beer commercial. was supposed to drop down 15 feet behind a tiger moth airplane, and timing was never together with the pilots. 5 minutes flake and shake pack jobs...and off again...jumping at 1000 ft. finally had to make the scene in two takes. missed the Tiger Moth wing by 3 feet on one. Bill Cole D-41

the best way to explain it is for you to read the TRIVIA thread, and the "suspensions" column. That way I dont have to repeat myself. you can always check out the site of Rob Price... called "pricesmoneypit thanks Bill Cole

I still have a perfectly good main madfe about 1972, and a front mount reserve dated 1972. Both in very good condition. bill cole

I made a living at it for years, mostly on the airshow circuit and jumping at special events. I had several good sponsors, (Toyota -- a new car every 3 months) Bulova watches, Canadian Tire stores (mostly ballooning) and others. The most I ever made for one job was $18,000.00 for two weeks. Many others were in the $5k to $7k range. I advertised a lot, managed to get lots of promotional ventures, TV commercials, and a good amount of publicity from CSPA because of their silly attitude that the press loved. All in all, I enjoyed every bit of it, and wish I had done more. 2 chuteless jumps, high altitude records, low openings and unusual jumps ( i.e. 3 chutes at one) helped draw the public's attention which only fostered more jobs. Bill Cole D-41

I just read TOWERRAT's posting about a long slow opening. Maybe you guys are right pulling at 5K....I have had slow openings on a para-sled, but my mind may be attuned to rounds like the Para Commander. I think an opening that takes more than 500 feet would be justification to buy another canopy BILL COLE

I agree somehwhat with your post, but I guess I'm just to laid back to worry about all those things. Freeflying would account for a few bells whistles etc, but I think I'd just go, do it, and either pull on someone elses opening, or eyeball it. Makes for a bit more excitement and adrenalin. I'm not meaning to knock what anyone does, but I couldnt be bothered with all the extras. I think I'd also be more inclined to be concered about someone knocking me out on the ground LOL LOL

Maybe I shouldnt say anything, but the skydiving of today amazes me with what a jumper has to have. I likethe new gear, as far as a container-Harness canopy is concerned. However I dont understand why a jumper has to have bells and whistles go off inside his helmet to tell him he is at 5K and should open the rig, Why an altimeter isnt sufficient by itself, why he cant open at 2K and be satisfied that if he has a problem, he can still chop it and get the reserve out in lots of ime, why a jumper cant eyeball his opening altitude ( not for students why a round reserve is looked upon as some kind of thing that isnt reliable anbd wont get you down safely....a guy HAS TO have a square reserve. why everyone has to have an automatic opener...like he cant be trusted to open before ground level. etc etc etc skydiving sure has changed !!!!!! At one time, the rules said we had to have a stopwatch. We usuallly wore one even if it didnt work...( the rules didnt state it had to) a jumper could pack hisown reserve...no problems ( unless it didnt open, but that applies today too.) I think the changes have taken a LOT of the enjoyment out of the sport. Bill Cole

I know of one dropzone that turned their "peas" into cocrete and painted it green. It sure would hurt to land in the peas there.

I believe you can do it....trust in yourself. I've had malfunctions and got rid of them and used my reserve successfully many times, and I'm still here.If I can, so can you. On your next plane ride up, remember that I believe in you...and know you will do everything right. I will await your posting after you have proven me right....have a good jump, and dont waste time worrying about it. He can, who thinks he can. Bill Cole D-41

with your outlook, you will certainly know it exists sooner or later....and that will be too late. Many people are in the same boat....worshipping as gods the created, instead of the Creator. If you think you live in a Borringplace now....WAIT until then!!!!

But what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul . He suffers eternal agony in Hell....and only because he makes material things his god???? Sure doesnt show much common sense now, does it?

I was practicing for the 1st chuteless jump, and was wearing only a Para Commander on my back. After receiving the reserve, I decided to see how it would fly, being brand new and steerable. It wouldnt take the extra weight of my main and it just blew apart. I did a similar jump once before to try a new steerable reserve witjh my own modification, and it was a cheap 24 ft military surplus reserve. It took the extra weight that time, but I had a hard landing. The mod wasnt all that great either, but that was in the early days when I liked expirimenting with new ideas. After that reserve blew up, I bought a cheapo 28ft reserve to use when going chuteless...I used it on both jumps, and it worked well. BILL COLE

God, the Father of Jesus figured it was worth something.....He sent His Son to die an agonizing death on the cross to pay for all the sins of my lifetime, so He could reclaim my soul. Yes....I am rich. Very rich in Christ, There are those who have nothing in an earthly material sense, but are rich in Christ.(thats me) There are those who have great sums of money and material things, but they are poor when it comes to having what it takes to obtain eternal life.Money isnt the answer to life's problems. Money will buy a bed, but not sleep, Books, but not brains, food, but not appetite, finery, but not beauty, a house, but not a home, medicine, but not health, luxuries, but not culture, amusements, but not happiness, religion, but not salvation, and a passport to everywhere but Heaven.

We used to refer to them as a "crash and burn" landings. The worst Ive had (out of many) was setting up for a landing with a 35mm movie camera on my helmet, and I was using my Delta II parawing. I was looking at the ground and felt a slight tug on the harness, and I looked up to see my canopy had turned 90 degrees from the way I was facing. It was a very windy day, and I said to myself as I swung to catch up with the canopy :" Self,....This is going to smart" I figured out from the wind speed and the forward speed of the canopy that I hit about 60 MPH. My lights went out immediately. I came too and saw the plane flying overhead, and thought maybe the pilot would see me. He didnt! I passed out again, and when I came too a second time, I saw two jumpers coming towards me. They looked like they thought I was dead. I passed out again as they got me to my feet, and although I could hear them talking and could answer them, I had no idea where I was or what I was doing there. They told me I was filming for a movie, and walked me out to a pickup truck. As I was walking, I stepped on a very large nail in a board, and it passed through my jump boot and right alongside my ankle without breaking the skin. I knew I had stepped on a nail, but couldnt see anything but a starry blackness. They took me back to the airport and stuck me in an ambulance, and then drove me to the hospital. I had a concussion, and was bruised black, blue, yellow and purple from the center of my chest to the center of my back around the right side. After a night in and out of consiousness, I was okay the next morning....at least as far as I was concerned. A nurse was rubbing my back, and asked me if I could straighten my right leg....and I did. She then asked me if I could straighten my left leg....and I did. I told her to keep rubbing my back and it would straighten the one in the middle. She left the room with a scarlet colored face. I signed myself out of the hospital 2 hours later. I should have stayed there....the company had insured me for 1 million dollars....I could have used some of that. That is a "hard landing"....1 of many. Bill Cole D-41

I've used a reserve about 9 times...maybe 10, in 850 jumps. I have used a rserve as my main, and left my main packed on my back. In one, I blew the reserve to pieces....1 millions holes of various sizes, and I cutaway and used my main. Another reserve was used because I was lower than the 300 ft I needed to open my main. My first cutaway from a bad main was about my 75th jump or so. I can always look this stuff up in my logboook if it means anything to anyone. Bill Cole D-41

My soul is already spoken for. I have given it to Jesus Christ. There isnt enough money in the world to change that. BILL COLE....

I would sincerely like to thank all those who posted birthday greetings to me for yesterday. I am a very emotional person ( I am still having problems with the disasters on " Little House On The Prarie" and feel truly blessed that so many of the world's skydiving "family" cared enough. Sometime I relate things that happened years ago, and I hope these items may help someone active in the sport today....I sure hope so. You guys and gals really made my day one to remember....the best I've ever had in the entire 71 yrs, so THANKS AGAIN TO ALL Bill Cole D-41

the date was January 1st 1965. In a Toronto paper the front page headline was The Greatest Stunt In History"

Thanks Wendy....I dont think I'll ever get old. I live in a senior citizens Apt bldg, and many of them have walkers etc. I scoot out of my apt, vault over a 4 ft railing and run to my car. I play Claissical music loud, and often sing along. Some neighbours complain, but I only do it in the mid day hours. I believe they think I'm nuts. Anyhow, my only regret is I dont have someone to dance with. The other people are nice souls, and I wonder why Im there, but the rent is subsidized....I guess thats it. anyhow, thanks to you all....very much. Bill Cole

all these postings simply take my breath away....I am truly astonished, and I thank you all very much. This is the greatest birthday card I've ever received...for sure.

some more quotes: some from famous people, and some from me Who dares wins ( Motto of Britain's SAS forces) Never give up, never give up, never, never give up.Winston Churchill He can who thinks he can (unknown) Sincere thanks, given to God, is appreciation in its greatest form (Bill Cole) Something that seems impossible just takes a little longer. (Bill Cole) If you dont stand for something, you'll fall for everything (unknown) In any economy, inflation is great for parachutes an hot air balloons (Bill Cole , parachutist and balloonist)

thanks to all you fine people. I'm amazed that so many of you are intrigued by the things I did. I really never expected when I did them, that 30 yrs later anyone would remember or care. I sincerely thank you all, and May God bless each and every one of you. BILL COLE D-41

Thanks to all you guys. I may be 71, but I sure dont feel it....or act it I guess. I think the secret is to "keep movin" Thanks much....its nice of you guys.!!!

A couple of years ago the FBI said the statute of limitaions had run out, and they couldnt prosecute now. However, the Internal Revenue said if he was found, he would owe more than $200,000.00 in back taxes. they get you one way or the other