MakeItHappen

OK I do have an empirical equation that you can use: WL(2) = [rho(2)/rho(1)] * WL(1) rho = density at a density altitude WL = wing loading Example 1: point 1 = sea level point 2 = 5 k DA rho(1) = 0.00237689; // slugs/cubic feet, sea level rho(2) = 0.00204817; // slugs/cubic feet, 5K WL(1) = 1.3 => WL(2) = 1.12 IOW, if you want the same performance of a 1.3 WL at SL, at 5K DA, then use a WL of 1.12, everything else being constant. Example 2: point 1 = sea level point 2 = 8 k DA rho(1) = 0.00237689; // slugs/cubic feet, sea level rho(2) = 0.00186845; // slugs/cubic feet, 8K WL(1) = 1.3 => WL(2) = 1.02 IOW, if you want the same performance of a 1.3 WL at SL, at 8K DA, then use a WL of 1.02, everything else being constant. I'll leave it as an exercise for others to look up densities at other altitudes. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I overlayed the two scenarios of: 1: DA = 0, WL = 1.6 (black line) 2: DA = 5, WL = 1.4 (red line) You can see that they are almost identical. Normally, you only vary one parameter at a time, so I had to adjust the legends to show the two cases properly. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I do not have 'an equation' that you could empirically adjust for DA, but I do have these plots you can use to see the effects. The trajectory is only for the natural recovery part of a swoop, given the initial conditions. The initial conditions would be the result of a speed inducing maneuver. Riser or toggle inputs change the trajectory of course. That is not modeled (yet). The trajectories (z vs t and x vs z plots) go to a straight line after 6 or seven seconds. That represents the steady state descent. In real life you do the flare before that to finish off a swoop landing. The z vs t shows that you lose more altitude as DA increases. That should not be a surprise to you. The x vs z shows that the trajectory gets 'stretched' in both the x and z directions as DA increases. The a vs t shows that accelerations are lower at higher DA. That means the 'feel' you have through the harness will be different. May be that realization will allow you to adjust properly. There are several WLs on each plot. This was just data I had on hand for swoop landings, not slope soaring. Effects for 9k DA would be larger of course. You should be able to see the trends with these plots. I will also note that your guess of lower WLs at higher DA is supported by these plots. Compare the WL=1.6 at DA=0 to WL=1.4 at DA=5k on all of the plots. They seem to be similar trajectories. IOW, for this specific case, a WL=1.6 and DA=0 is about the same as a WL=1.4 and DA=5k. Compare the pink line on DA=0 to the blue line on DA=5. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Talk about thread hijacking…. The ad is for 'whoever shows up' type loads, not pre-planned camp type dives, AFF, ISP, WARP, rigger training or even drop testing. There's no guarantee that a +1k jumper would not end up on a load with 100 jump jumpers. (Jumps in that discipline.) If the +1k jumper didn't want that, they'd be wasting their money. I get the question 'Who else is on the load?' all the time before people commit to a load. They want to jump with people of similar skill level. If I ask ringer types on a lower experienced load, I tell them that ahead of time - so they are fully aware that the dive difficulty will be lower. I have no problem with people charging $ for coaching. I do it myself. A 'whoever shows up load' would be different. I always like pre-planned groups of similar skill level that jump together for at least 5 jumps. This way the coaching is more effective. You can build up skill sets by teaching one or two skills per dive and then putting them all together on the last jump. This is a model that is proven to be effective. If the roster changes jump to jump you end up re-teaching the same lessons. That is ineffective for the people that have already learned the lesson, who only need a quick review. There is also an intangible confidence in each other that comes along with jumping with the same group all day long. Anyway, if there is a market to charge for 'whoever shows up loads' maybe I will tell DanBC that I'll organize pick-up loads at Perris. He's been bugging me for months to do the 'whoever shows up loads'. But I really don't want to organize those loads for free. Somehow, I think I'll still ensure that the group is of comparable skill level. The good thing about pick-up loads is that you don't have to send a bazillion emails out weeks before or deal with cancellations Friday night at 10 PM or Saturday morning at 6 AM. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I'm gonna call BS on your posts. [yes - I know who Bill Booth is and actually know him. He knows me, my name and what I look like.] uh-huh???? You and I both know that pilot chute in tows are sometimes called 'totals'. Sometimes they are not called 'totals'. How can you purportedly cite data that just does not exist? The BIG advantage of a total on a pull out is that there is no pilot chute wanting to entangle with a deploying reserve. Big time BS on this one, Bill. If someone goes in or pulls the reserve too late because of a floater then that is an improper EP execution. That is something that could happen on a throw-n-tow too. There was a fatality and a CYPRES fire recently at Perris with jumpers jumping a throw-n-tow and had a total. Both jumpers tried and tried again on their throw-n-tow system. They both did not execute proper EPs. It had nothing to do with the type of deployment system the used. Floater mals or hard pulls have very specific cures. Try again - if you can't get the main handle then pull the reserve. I can go look up all the folks that died trying to clear a throw-n-tow bridle wrapped around the harness. That may not happen that often today, but you have the premees that have people scrounging for the PC after the main has left the pack tray to take their place. That PC on the bottom of the main pack tray is bouncing around. . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Here's an email I got from my dog RePete today: I replied that if a skydiver could do it, then a dog should be able to do it. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I ran across this advertisement on a DZ web site. Names replaced with dashes. Do people actually pay $50 a day to jump with someone? . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

From PIA TS-122 - Rapid Refueling An FAA-licensed pilot or airman familiar with the ground operation of the aircraft must be at the controls during the entire fuel servicing process. Keep a wheel chock under at least one of the airplane’s tires during the entire refueling operation. If you see an operation not following these procedures bring it to the attention of the DZO. If that does not correct the situation, bring it to the attention of your RD. If that does not correct the situation, bring it to the attention of someone you think can get the DZO to follow industry standards. If that does not work, contact the FAA. That will get their attention. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

*** That's the way I heard it. see this link Lew Sanborn . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

See these links perrisites & new Farkles Steve Fielding Coupe Lew Sanborn Skypuppy NORM Elections $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ~ Make a Skydive................GET A CHECK! ~ I guess I should put no$no$no$no$no$no$no$no$no$no$no$no$no$ Write an article for the web and get ripped off. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Try Fast Forward to the Year 2050 . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I met both Norm Heaton and Jack Bergman. I was born in the 50's. RIP - Jack and I may run into Norm some time again. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

This gave me a big chuckle, Nick ;) I think Hell would have to freeze over before the USPA BOD would select me as the Executive Director! Thanks for the thought - it *might* happen! . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

The post in question is http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1608961#1608961 not the reference to the post in question. Perhaps, you might forward my email to you to this jumper, to help explain why links are better than copy/paste It does have a byline author. I own ParachuteHistory.com The copyright says I own the material on the web site. Yes, if the moderators would change the 1608961 post to have a link to Fast Forward to the Year 2050 instead of the content of that link, I would be happy. Thank you very much for the compliment. I am not offended that people want to share it, I am disappointed that people do not realize that the sharing comes from providing links, not the actual content copied to a third-party site. Ok - buy me a beer - next time you see me. Put it on my account, if you cannot stay around til sunset. Bottom Line Summarized: Please ask the moderators to change post 1608961 to be a link to Fast Forward to the Year 2050 BTW, how is your son doing recovering from his accident? . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Funny that post looks like my article Fast Forward to the year 2050 Would you like to pay for the article or ask a moderator to remove it? your choice. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Try the Demo version of Words, Words, Words for FREE. After you have augmented your vocabulary by 100 words, get the College version. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

SOME of the money donated to JFTC goes to City of Hope. The rest of it goes to pay for jumps, t-shirts, strippers, some bushes that never grew or were mowed over, glossy brochures, $8000 for web design, phone calls and other stuff. You compare a donation to JFTC, where part of it pays for jumps and other recreational activities, to donating to someone that is injured as a tax break to a warm feeling. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Just in case it comes up, can we quote you in your obituary? and can I make another Paranak joke with it? What exactly is the contradiction? (I'm using 270 lbs as your weight because that what backs out from your WL and canopy numbers.) The maximum of 254 lbs. does not have leeway. The contradiction I see is that you knowingly exceed the TSO limitations. Where does it say that college kids, that put on a few pounds over the winter, can exceed the limits on a FCI reserve? I missed that on their web site. It does not matter what I say. It matters that PISA says that. In the US you can jump anything for your main. Well, it is your life! BTW, in the early 1990's when the mains started to get a bit smaller, people put false bottoms in the main pack tray to take up the extra space. There is always that type of solution. Ask Winsor about this. He has a system with significantly different sized canopies. I think it's a Racer. Just in case it comes up, can we quote you in your obituary? and can I make another Paranak joke with it? . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I think you should follow this advice. (They are your words.) One of the telltale indicators of the 'Bullet-proof' jumpers is that they keep saying "I know what I'm doing. I know the risks. etc" Here's what you've said on this thread: You are over the recommended maximum weight and the TSO limit. Do you think this is consistent with 'aimed to be safer and more conservative under canopy '? Do you know that jumpers have died because their over-loaded reserve blew up? The last one was probably when you started jumping or slightly before that. Your actions speak louder than your words. Your actions shout out "All those guidelines do not apply to me." Of course, you could say "Do as I say, not as I do." More 'Paranak the Magnificent' material: Answer: A WL of 1.3 is not extreme for a 200 sq. ft. F-111 canopy. Question: Why do you surpass the TSO limits of your reserve? For Bill von Yes, the nylon has changed. It used to be F-111 mains everywhere. Now it's mostly ZP mains. Main WL rating changes are because of the change in the nylon. Check out the specs for the PDRs The 193 and 218 both have max wt of 254. (Comparable to the Maverick.) Max for Adv is 222 and 235, respectively. WL of 1.15 and 1.08, respectively. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I would think that each parent can determine how to raise their kids. They have more options than the two you give here. Historical perspectives are always good to teach. It gives you an idea of how the world changes and how it stays the same. Raising Our Athletic Daughters is another good book that provides many ideas how sports teach many of life's lessons. It also discusses how all of a sudden at puberty sports may become 'undesirable' or un-lady-like and how to deal with that. The issue is teach the history, whether it's women's history, skydiving history, physics history, the Holocaust or what ever subject. That way you appreciate the advancements. A great book on the History of Women's sports in the 20th century is Coming On Strong by Susan Cahn. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I have an update on this. 'The person' has come forward - well sort of. 'The person' emailed me and admonished me: I guess I did not know that. Then there was: The rest of the email went like this: I have permission to post the email - sans identifiable information of 'the person'. Ok - so some of my friends may be spineless or lack courage or it may be that they do not know how to handle internet posts deftly and ask me to be their voice. I'm just a puppet after all. ;) It is a malleable relationship. For Kallend Skydiving is not like physics where you can read through a bunch of books and understand the subject. Your comments on a different thread about a FJS knowing about an AAD indicate that you do not understand that there are 'MUST knows' in this sport and 'nice to knows'. IOW, a FJS does not need to know how to operate and AAD or even what its operational parameters are. An experienced jumper does need to know these things. Unlike physics, skydiving has a way of giving people operational rules or guidelines without having to understand the underlying physics principles. A jumper knows that you need to cutaway and pull reserve for a malfunction by a certain altitude, but does not need to know the lift and drag coefficients of the malfunctioned parachute system in order to compute how quickly they may arrive at their decision altitude. Kallend, I have a suggestion for you. Teach a 'Physics for Jocks' class - no equations allowed. I did this at Woodland College a few years back. I was amazed at how much physics could be taught without equations. Feynman was a master at explaining complicated physics in simple terms. . . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

There is an old saying that women that strive to be as good as men have their sights too low. The best definition I know of feminism comes from The Creation of Feminist Consciousness by Gerda Lerner. This book is usually available at your local library. Feminist Consciousness: an awareness … -that women belong to a subordinate group -that women have suffered wrongs as a group -that the condition of subordination is not natural, but is socially determined -that women must joined others to remedy these wrongs -that women must and can provide a new vision of social organization that women as well as men enjoy self-determination and autonomy Self-determination means 'Be all that you can be.' -just like the Army slogan. If that means being better than men in some area, so be it. If it means being equal to men, so be it. If it means choosing life as a stay at home Mom, so be it. It is all about choice and being able to have those choices. Women have been denied access to education, jobs, and other endeavors. Mary Wollstonecraft is usually considered the first feminist writer. She lived in the 1700's. She also died giving birth to Mary Shelly, the author of Frankenstein. Frankenstein is also consider to be a model story about how people that do not conform to social scripts become outcasts and vilified by society. It wasn't until 1830 or so that women were allowed into colleges and universities. It is amazing that Princeton's president did not realize that thousands of years of socialization would take more than a few centuries to change. Elizabeth Cody Stanton and Susan B. Anthony spent their entire adult lives trying to get women the vote in the US. They never lived to see that day. The groundwork they laid was picked up by the next generation. They provided the vision that lead to women getting the vote. When I was a kid I was not allowed to join Little League Baseball. I played 500, hot-box and real baseball games with the boys during the week, but come the LL games I no longer was allowed. When I was going off to college I could not attend the military academies, even though I really wanted to go to USAFA. I definitely had the intellect and physical strength, but women were not allowed. I think that people that have never experienced 'denied access' first hand do not completely understand the implications. Some women may come across as 'having an axe to grind', but most women do things that project a new vision of what can be and have the strength and courage to follow their desires. They overcome social obstacles by just doing what they want to do. Once you realize that you can do what you want to and do not understand why other women just do not go out to get what they want, you start helping other women realize that they must believe in themselves and that social mechanisms are the greatest impediments. This is where and when separatist groups come into play. Separatist groups are always a controversial subject. In some cases, it is seen as a good thing. A computer club might have a special interest group in C++ or whatever. That is perceived as good because the whole group does not want to listen to boring pointer conversations. A women's special interest group is perceived as a bad thing. I was actually boo'ed at a Sacramento PC User Group meeting (about 600 people, mostly men) by announcing the local Webgrrls chapter. I guess the concept of women getting together was too intimidating. One women was told by her husband that she could not attend the Webgrrls meetings. This was totally insane. She was a new web developer and wanted to learn more stuff. Her husband objected because it was women only. If you cannot find a place to talk frankly about how the rest of the world treats you, it is very hard to understand that you are not alone. It is very hard to understand that social conditions are the cause, not your innate value or skill level. There are blacklash issues to deal with too. There are new generation issues. Some women coming of age today, do not realize how good they have it. Many girls grew up playing Little League and soccer. They figure it has always been that way. They do not realize that that is a new thing. The world has changed, but there are still gender biases. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

I debated with my alter egos about where to post this. Yes, it does have Black-Death humor and a 'What NOT to do' in the content. I figured that a jumper would not 'get' the joke if a jumper did not know the 'right' answer. If a jumper did not 'get' the joke they would reply saying so. But most of the 'answers' did come from posts already made here. Then again I thought that the Karnak model might be lost on younger souls too. I posted it in S&T because it is more of an S&T issue. I knew that it would get more views in Bonfire. I realize that Black Death humor does not completely cross the jumper generations. I am amazed that the 'tourist' bit has provoked the most response. I did not make that one up, but stole it from someone. I will not give out the credit now because it is controversial. The person can claim credit. The person is reading this forum and an active jumper. I look at 'Paranak the Magnificent' and laugh out loud and at the same time cry out loud because so many of my friends and jumpers I never knew have died thinking erroneous thoughts. It is a trade off. How do you reach jumpers? With carefully planned articles or with humorous quips about skydiving? Both ways can work. This is not the first time I've written a sarcastic blurp. To be clear -- ALL of the ANSWERS are a JOKE. . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Answer: A shooting star. Question: What do you call folks that cram in a bunch of jumps in a short time span and then leave the sport (dead or alive)? . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker

Johnny Carson had a bit on the Tonight Show called Karnak the Magnificent. Karnak would hold a sealed envelope up to his head to divine the answer. Karnak would state the answer and then open the sealed envelope and read the question. In the spirit of the late Johnny Carson, I give you Paranak the Magnificent! Answer: an RSL and an AAD Question: Name two safety features that will pull for you. Answer: the 100-jump wonder Question: Who is the all-knowing and all-seeing jumper? Answer: Wait until the AAD fires. Question: What do you do if you go unstable when trying to pull the reserve? Answer: I can clear it. Question: What do you think when looking at a malfunction? Answer: 4500 feet Question: What altitude can you pull above and not have to worry about running out of altitude? Answer: a tourist Question: What do you call a jumper that has been jumping less than 10 years? Answer: Wait until the AAD fires. Question: What do you do if you cannot pull the main? Answer: Give an extra $10 to the rigger. Question: How do you hook up your main? Answer: You owe me a repack. Question: What do you say to your packer after you have a malfunction? Answer: I always jump like that. Question: What do you say when someone says your chest strap is mis-routed? Answer: Because the passenger really likes it. Question: Why do you swoop tandems in your bird-suit? Answer: 100 feet Question: When do you start your 270 degree turn for a swoop landing? Answer: the tetrahedron Question: What target do you use for accuracy landings? Answer: Pull a toggle all the way down. Question: What do you do to avoid an obstacle on landing? Answer: Try to stand up the landing. Question: What do you do when you land downwind in 25 mph winds? Answer: Wait until the AAD fires. Question: What do you do after a cutaway? Answer: Same ole - same ole Question: What do you do for high performance landings at 5000 feet density altitude? Answer: I thought I could make it back. Question: What is your reason for crashing into MY BMW? Answer: The canopy turns faster in high winds. Question: Why did you turn so low? Answer: My instructor. Question: Who will pull for me as a student if I don't? . . Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker