MakeItHappen

I agree that it is much easier to 'sit back and watch'. But I also know that if you do that there is no possible way you could help someone that is open to help. You also cannot save everyone from their mistakes. The good news is that some may be saved. Many years ago I started Sport Parachutist's Safety Journal. because I did not want to 'sit back and watch'. I wanted to make a difference. I was tired of seeing the same mistakes over and over again. Over the years I've had many jumpers tell me that stuff they read in SPSJ (long before it was online) saved them. One year I saw one article posted up on the hanger wall at College Station, TX. Skydance Skydiving gave out copies of Newbies Blues to new graduates. Other articles have appeared in Parachutist and various other publications. One thing I can tell you, Mike, is that 'sit back and watch' will not improve the sport. It is very easy to 'sit back and watch'. That is why most people do it. A careful choosing of the issues to address will make a 'stand up and be counted' approach more palatable. One thing you and others must realize is that you won't bat 1.000. You will strike out on occasion and sometimes bunt or hit a sacrifice fly. These times are offset by the home runs, singles, doubles or triples. If anyone ever comes and tells you that something they learned from you saved them, then you know it was worth it. For me, I know that the time I've spent teaching has been well worth the effort. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

14 4.5 Omniskore scoring processors 4 Omniskore laptops 2 desktops 1 laptop 1 old 486 for BU 0.5 386 that was gutted for the 486 1 XT - wonder if that still works? Just last week I had 11 of them networked together. That's why the answer machine was disconnected. Need more power strips. Do you want the inventory of CPU cards, motherboards, network cables, CD drives, sound cards, monitors, hard drives, floppy drives, hubs, power cables, etc, etc? PS I would have more, but I set up the desktops and laptops for multiboot. {dos, win 3.1, NT, 2000, XP, Linux} . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

BS Mike..... Lots of your recent 'uncalled for' posts actually have a truth behind them, even if it's not the same as you may have suspected. Bill does not know everything. Neither do i, but those 'uncalled for' posts did actually make sense (if you knew the context) About the only uncalled for posts that you make, are those annoying 'Fill out your profile' posts. Who cares?!?!? What Profile Police badge number do you have anyway? . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

From Fast forward to the year 2050 Quoted with permission from the author. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Mr. Jackson should also request a review of the action in writing and become familiar with Section 1-6 of the Governance Manual. It is available online. A review will occur at the next BOD meeting by the FULL BOARD as it does for all Interim Motions. It would behoove you and Mr. Jackson if you ask that the entire FB be copied on your correspondence. The only group that can overrule or change what the Executive Comm. did is the FB. You need support from the rest of the BOD. This case I think falls into a Goldilocks story. At first the penalty was to 'soft'. Then it was too 'hard'. At the next BOD meeting it may become 'just right'. I also suggest that Mr. Jackson contact his RD and anyone else on the BOD for clarification on the process, how it works and how it does not work. Every BOD member's contact info is listed in Parachutist each month. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I think you need to go recheck your facts. The letter was not sent by the FB. Your 'quote' is not a quote from the letter, by your own admission. The RD did NOT contact the FAA about this matter. You have incomplete information and are jumping to (incorrect) conclusions. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

FYI: The appeal was REJECTED by the Chair of the Executive Comm - twice. This was done even though it is spelled out in the Gov. Manual that a complainant can ask the Executive Comm. to reconsider the RD actions. The appeal was never discussed by the full Executive Comm. The system of checks and balances inside USPA is not working. That's an interesting way of wording it. What happens if he does not return the rating? Just curious, did the letter have all caps, or was that something you added? (We don't get copies of these letters.) Just another FYI: If you do not specifically mention that your letter should be forwarded to the FB, it won't go any further than the person you sent it to. Likewise, if you ask that only the person you send it to see it, they will not forward it. This is not true. The RD did not contact the FAA about this matter. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I really do wish I could tell you the whole story, but I can't right now. It would not be fair to Mr. Jackson. Let's just say that right now, as of today, USPA has swung the pendulum waaaay tooo far on the opposite side from what the RD did. And I will state that I or this thread did not have anything to do with that decision. It came from the Executive Committee. That interim motion is subject to review by the FB at the next meeting. As I stated before, I do not think the motion as written will pass the FB. As I stated before, nothing on this thread had anything to do with the decision that came from the USPA Executive Committee. As I stated before, if Mr. Jackson wishes to contact me about this, I'd be more than happy to explain to him what has happened and what to do about it. Right now, I'm on his side to ameliorate what has happened and so are some other directors and members. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Yes, I am aware of an Interim Motion passed by the Executive Committee. I do not agree with it. Interim Motions are always brought before the FB at the next regularly scheduled meeting. I do not believe that the IM, as currently stated, will pass approval of the FB. If you are in contact with Mr. Jackson, please ask him to call or email me. I would be more than happy to discuss the situation with him. My contact info This thread was started long before any elected USPA representative knew about it. There were appointed USPA representatives that did know about it. Personally, I think his tandem rating ought to be revoked. All those channels were used, except there was one channel that was bypassed, but that actually worked in favor of Mr. Jackson. As far as I know, nothing posted to this thread was used by the EC in its decision for its interim motion. This thread was not what prompted further action. (Sorry, Sangiro, but dz.com really does not have that much influence on the actions of USPA.) Nope, that is not true. This thread started Jul 26, 2006. 7 Aug 2006 - Ryan Meschez Nope, not true either. ................. Are you talking about this picture? The legs-down maneuver is not what people objected to from a safety standpoint. It is the move over to the side of the passenger that is an unacceptable hazard. I really did like that little wave action Mr. Jackson did with his arms. That was kool looking. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Let me get this right. You don't know what, if anything, has happened and you are complaining about it? or are you just complaining that people post and read this thread? . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

As far as I know, only one person emailed the FB. It's a mob I tell ya! . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

For Jonathan Gordon: If you carefully read the post you replied to, you will see what USPA does. I'll quote it here for your convenience: Also any 'lynch mob' on DZ.com has nothing to do with me or USPA. I don't know if you know this, but anyone anywhere in the world can sign up here and post anything they want. The moderators are the ones that edit or remove posts. I think Sangiro might take it as sort of a compliment that people like you might think dz.com runs USPA. ....................... For Jason Upchurch The Governance Manual explains how someone may ask for ratings or membership back. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Hi All, I am moving this to the front burner during/after US Nationals. I'll be at Eloy, so find me around the Omniskore machines, lunch or dinner. I want to yak/think more about the feature set. In the meantime, I am moving all of my domains to a new hosting company. DiveMaker.com might give 'server not found' for up to 48 hours. Right now, I plan to switch that domain tonite (Wed-9-27) around 9pm PDT. [Subject to change.] Most people will only see a couple of hours of down time. It all depends on where you are in the world and how the DNS propagates. That's all out of my control. Stay tuned for upgrades..... Thanks for all of the positive feedback from people everywhere. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Because there is plenty of insight and thoughtfulness to be read in there once the rabble and flippancy is glossed over. There is something to be said about seeing other peoples' sides on issues and the reasons for them. I rarely read SC. But when I do, i see people yakking about things outside their circle of influence (for the most part anyway). It amazes me that people will spend that much time debating or pontificating on such-n-such issue, when they really have no direct influence on the outcome. Most SC posts are posted to demonstrate 'how smart I am', 'I know more than you do on this subject-neener, neener.' To me it makes more sense to spend time, whatever amount you can spare, debating issues that you do have influence over. I can't change the way the Pope thinks about abortion or how Bush thinks about Iraq, but I can influence other jumpers in safety issues, new skydiving skills, etc. I'd rather do something within my sphere of influence than debate or pontificate my views with a bunch of other impotent people in those areas that are beyond our sphere of influence. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I am looking for a new hosting company for my domains. I've gone thru 5 shared hosting places already and am about to dump the 6th because of very long turn times on trouble tickets. I always test support on the weekends too. Here's what I need: Linux Unlimited domains (or close to 50) Unlimited mysql dbs (or close to 50) Remote mysql access SSH access Email IP addys that have not appeared in SpamCop Email that works with POP3 php with gd, curl, pdf, xml extensions I am seriously looking at a dedicated server too. But to do that, I'd need some people to split the cost. Shared among friends would work for me. Windoze is out of the question. Anyone know of a company that is NOT a reseller that has good to great service? Besides support service, email has been the next biggest problem. An email problem with my current host, that has gone unresolved for several months is precipitating this change. That and double billing and php-xml that no longer works. TIA . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I can coach the SOS jumpers to a new World Record. Thanks. . PMs are blocked, so perhaps I will be forgiven for going off topic. Does that mean there is a new SOS Record? How many? Will you be doing coaching for the East Coast group in March? Ed See SOS Record You'll have to ask Russ about what he plans for coaching next March. I'd love to do it, but there might be other limitations. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I was never a write-in candidate. I actually lost in 2000. I won in 2002 and 2004. I hope to win in 2006. Will you rejoin USPA so that you can vote for me? It will increase our membership roster. I don't have a super fast KA or some mega DZ, but I can coach the SOS jumpers to a new World Record. I also engage in discussions here and answer emails from members. Thanks. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Of course, those links are from the last election. It's from the 'Way-Back Machine' web archive. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

USPA Election History Usually it takes +1000 votes to become a ND. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

The ballot is printed and published on the USPA web site in the Nov. issue of Parachutist. So, it _is_ on the Web site, but you have to dig around for it. I realize that we're sort of in the middle of the process, but I still think it wouldn't hurt the turnout/participation if the USPA had some information about it on the "News" or "Events" page of their site, or even on its own tab. Just the little blurb that MikeT posted originally would be good, possibly along with something like "the next step is [whatever], which will happen around [some date]". Eule See these links that show that USPA has added the election info to the web site News Page Election Page Come Nov 1, 2006 USPA will have election info and a link to the ballot on their web site. HQ has been tasked with this and I am confident that they will do it. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

For the people that do not know about the elections: The ballot is printed and published on the USPA web site in the Nov. issue of Parachutist. You can vote for up to 8 ND and a RD where your residence is. The address used to determine your region is where your magazine is sent. Outside the US and Puerto Rico are considered 'foreign'. These members may vote for one RD in one region at their discretion. . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Bump. I really wanted to see some of the new age jumpers cheer these folks on. I think that the new kids do not realize that the vast majority of the SOS crowd started jumping when they (the current SOS jumpers) were in their late teens or early twenties. Today's NG starts at the same age. But, some how I think that today's new age jumper does not have the tenacity of the folks that started jumping in the 60's or 70's. IOW, I think that not many of today's 20 something yo jumpers will be around jumping 20 years from now. For instance, Norm Olson, started the Navy Leap Frogs. There is a lot of legacy of skydiving that comes from the SOS jumpers. They have made paths that you NGs walk today. Why can't you NGs give your kudos to these elders of our sport and thank them as you thanked the WT or whatever team? . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Try USPA Exams and Study Guide . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Saturday we put up 4 43-way attempts. That included a two-hour down time for SV repair. That was nothing compared to the 4-hour delay Friday morning because of clouds. They all had one or two 'little' problems. It was the run-of-the-mill big-way problems of slightly hard docks or red zone traffic. Sunday we scheduled a 3 plane formation load with 43 people for a 7:30 am take-off. One of Elsinore's planes would not start. So we off-loaded that plane and reassembled the formation. Then split into the 2-plane exit order. They loaded up in the red otter and SV. They went up and did the worst jump of the weekend. I talked Karl into asking Perris for another otter. The second dive was 3 planes, two from Perris. Thank-you Karl, John, Pat and Rob. Everyone was there in the picture MUCH sooner than the 2 plane formations. Unfortunately, we had a zipper guy go low and then get back up. In the meantime that created a whole lot of red zone confusion. The 3rd jump was also from 3 planes. But yet again, another dock, then float over someone's back happened and took out a section of the formation. In the next year we expect to see 10-15 new SOS jumpers, many with lots of big-way experience to join the ranks of SOS. Florida Skydiving Center will host the next SOS big-way in March 2007. I'll post a pic as soon as I get one. Everyone had a great time. We set one World Record, just missed the second WR of the weekend. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

The SOS (Skydivers Over Sixty) set a new World Record of 39 today at Skydive Elsinore. It was accomplished on the 3rd attempt. There were no roster slot changes or replacements. It was absolutely fantastic. 1st attempt had ~10 out 2nd attempt had everyone in, but one person had the wrong grip 3rd attempt was built perfectly. 4th dive today was a 44-way that looked more like last year's jumps. Saturday are more 44-way attempts to break the 39-way. Congratulations to all. Attached is the formation with names. The previous record was 33. Here is the entire full name roster: Larry Elmore Eike Hohenadl Dave DeWolf David Ferazza Dave Sands Bob Pruitt John Hawley John White Dee Trees Larry Perlman Sky Pat Moorehead Mike Britting Jim Fee George White Norm Olson Chuck Selzak Larry Gallusha Mike McGuire Bill Jones Larry Thomas Flip Holstein Jim Cook Myles Elsing Jim Wallace Jim Culhane John DeSantis Al Krueger Bob Stahl Bill Rappa Roger Kersey Russ Manhold B3 Randy Wise Scotty Gallen George Frey Steve Rafferty Bob Smith Mike Spurgeon Video Ray Cottingham (also an SOS) Don Simonds . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker