skylord

All I can say is he's not a chick so don't get too excited... unless you're into that sort of thing. Dave Ha! Busted. As to the time it takes, I HEARD that the creator gets $5 per view. Money in the bank! The movies to me are priceless, they really are, and I appreciate the work that goes into them. Thanks, Dave, for the site and thanks to all of you who contribute. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Yep, got 'em all, and I update them once a year. I need to update the last wishes to include an ash dive over Elsinore that Frenchy funnels. Good thread to start, though. Planning is INCREDIBLY important for you and your loved ones. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

See, you should have come down to the Bombshelter. Kidding aside, this sucks. Sorry to hear it happened. There is no explanation. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

You know, my first skydive was filled with, "Come join our happy family! We love all! Our world rules!!" I found out that it is, "Stop whining about packing your own chute!!" And I have had to purchase chastity belts for my daughter. And myself. This truth is the essence of skydiving. The Always Dad, and sometimes Victim Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I've got one so far. Rebekah is the one on the right. http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/around-the-dz/Nov.5.2005/Nov.5.2005-Pages/Image84.html Dad Member, PWS (Pops with Shotguns) Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

She's 73, move along, nothing to see there!!! The Dad Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Good thing I wasn't around I guess! Thanks for the message... Congrats to Rebekah! And you owe for your first post under 10,000 words. What a smart ass!!! Aren't you busy getting penis caned or something???? Missed you at the Bombshelter, but I held court in your stead. All proper man love to you, but stay the hell away from my daughter you man whore..... . Um no actually FGF-2 Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

For those of you who were at Perris or Elsinore this weekend and met my daughter, she jumped Sunday!! For those not there, I had the whole weekend with her doing what I love, hanging with the people I love. She went with me to Elsinore on Saturday, I jumped, she watched, was going to do a tandem, but then decided not to. She thought IF she could try the tunnel, she might feel better about the jump. Since I was doing tunnel league that night, I signed her up for 2 minutes before league time. We went to the Bombshelter that night, and since this was my daughter I brought Mace. I went through more of that than I drank. Anyway, everyone was hugely supportive. She told me that night she wanted to jump the next morning, I called Elsinore, and over we went. I got on the same load, we blew kisses, out the door I went on my two way. I nailed the landing in the grass, and looked up to see the blue and gold canopy her and her TI had. Oh, she JUMPED! I was thinking she may balk. She landed, I was RIGHT there, and she had the time of her life. One of the biggest reasons she did it was because of the support all of you showed. She loved the company, and wanted me to tell you all she jumped, she wants to hang out with all of you again (I'm bringing my shotgun this time), and she wants to do AFF!! If I pay for it. Sheesh, I thought this was just my addiction!! Thanks to all who talked to her and gave her the encouragement to give it a try. I suggest we all split her AFF bill with me! Bob Denny's Trivia Whore Proud Dad Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Arthur, Yes, you should be soaking wet with pie all over the place. I'm at Perris Saturday night and Sunday. I will track your cheap ass down, and toss you in the pool myself with the U2 ticket I sold you at face value. Congrats, and in my book that was your 100th jump!! I count mine the same way.... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Sure you can. Hollister isn't that far away. I'm there with my camera. El loco Numero Dos Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I'm a sexy man-bitch. When Frenchy's away, Number Two will play.... So he's in Singapore or Paris? Probably without internet access especially if he is rioting. So let's talk about him, he'll never know. Did I tell you about the time I caught him weeping in the men's room????? Should I tell the story.......hmmmmm. Number Two Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

We're not worthy, we're not worthy.... So, are ya gonna be there or what? g Ha! Yes I will be there in all my spectacularness. I'm doing the tunnel league from 7-8:30, overnighting in Perris, and jumping there Sunday. Love, The Slab of Beef on the Meat Market of Love Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

So, with Frenchy gone, I'm the ranking FGF member, so to speak? Bob FGF-2 Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

HAHAAAHAAAAAA! Good one! That was hilarious!! Dz.com has contacted an extraterrestrial, advise me of the location of your planet!!! Sorry, I'm kidding!! I selected wussy. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

That you probably caused. That means you break even. Kinda like if the story of the 2 guys that rescued a bunch of people of out an apartment complex fire that they started, they aren't heros, they just broke even. Derek OK, I'll defer to your experience and judgment on this and chalk it up as a lesson learned. Sorry if it appears from my post I'm claiming I'm a hero, I did NOT intend that in the least. No matter the cause, it was caught on the ground which is the important part. I never said the pin didn't move on the first three jumps, I said I could not tell. It was flat against the container on the first three, that is all. Before number four was when the pin decided to become upright. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Gia, All my prayers and thoughts, what a senseless, stupid, cruel act. Bob FGF-2 Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Sparky is correct, it wasn't the cash, it was the accusations that flew around me, almost universally that I had done something "bad". I caught a serious situation with the rig on the ground, and it would have meant the world to me if someone had said, "Wow, good for you for checking while still on terra firma." Really, if I was sitting near the door and it went out, I'm going through the tail of the airplane. So you're right, it is a cheap $15 lesson for me, but also the rental store. And I'm doing a pin check on the ground every single time. Frankly, I feel like I'm going to be looked at as the idiot that fired his reserve PC when I go back to rent (a different rig, thank you) from the same place. I may have low numbers, but I'm known as being careful and thorough by anyone who knows me. I'm a big boy, I won't let that stop me, and PLEASE understand that if anyone was there who is reading this thread I am NOT talking about some of the good natured jabs while I'm walking back to the store with a reserve PC in my hand. It was the people who should know better that this stuff happens either on the ground or in the plane. It is the jumper's choice. I opted for the ground, my decision was correct, safe and I stand by it even if the reserve PC decided it was in danger and self launched. I could have handled this better, as I said, I should have just grabbed a rigger to look at it, and to my discredit, I do NOT remember the distance between the little ball and the reserve handle. That was a great point Sparky raised, my bad for not knowing. I learned so much this weekend, and my thanks to all of you for the posts, very informative, very helpful, and very supportive even when being educative (versus critical) of some aspects as to how I handled it. Thanks all, and what's important is I'm around to jump again and bitch at people that piss me off!! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

You are correct, no soft handle on the reserve side.... Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Bill, That describes it exactly. The rig was with me the whole time except when I was having it packed (for Derek). Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

The pin was NOT actually bent, it lust looked like that to me when I opened the larger flap. The pin was NOT laying flat against the container. I checked the pin when I turned the AAD on at the rental store, and it was fine. During the other three jumps it was fine. If it was working its way out, I couldn't tell. When I did the check, i opened the smaller (lower) flap, the larger flap you open to see the whole pin and arm the AAD seemed to have something pushing it slightly open, so I carefully opened the large flap and that was when I saw the pin sticking up. Like I said, I thought it was bent, and tried feeling for where the pin should be seated. And pop. I know this is like asking a two year old about what they witnessed in a car accident, but this is the best I can describe it. Thanks for all the replies.... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I posted the technical side of this in Gear and Rigging, but I wanted to flesh out the details here and get some feedback. Rented gear today for some jumps, I had an Infinity this time. Did three jumps, I was using a packer, and on my fourth jump (as is my custom) I did a ground check of the pins and pilot chute line. When I opened the small flap over the reserve pin, it seemed that something was pushing the larger flap up. So I undid the larger flap, and the reserve pin looked to me like it was bent up at about a 25 degree angle. I knew this wasn't right, and tried feeling around where the end of the pin should have been. Pop! That very distinctive, unmistakable pop such little pins make with their Jack in the Box pilot chutes shooting past my befuddled head. I was stunned, but the reaction I got is what bothered me. The first was an angry exclamation, "What did you do?" I didn't do anything, I was preflighting the gear and Pop! Goes the Weasel. That couldn't have happened, I must have pulled it, I was told. Yeah, like I'm bored so decided to stir things up by pulling the reserve while making a 25 minute call that I already paid for. So off we go to the rental place, and all over again it's "You pulled this, you must have, you have to pay for this." No, dammit, I was doing my preflight check and it popped on its own. How it got there, I have no idea. I felt like I was defending myself for doing a pin check that disclosed there was indeed a problem that manifested itself at the barest level. I thought it ironic we're having this discussion safely on the ground rather than the thing going while I'm floating and I'm riding the plane back down, reserve wrapped around the tail with me as the tow banner. So, I was charged $15 to reclose the thing, and was told if the rigger who packed the reserve can't get to it in time, I have to pay for a repack, too. All for shit that happened while I was making sure the rig was safe to fly. It wasn't. Maybe due to my inexperience I blew it, I should have just grabbed a rigger and pointed the problem out, but I was just trying to find the end of the pin, very gently, with less than a few ounces of pressure. I sure don't think I should be forced to pay for a closure and/or reserve repack. If I am, I will, it is a far cheaper price to pay than seeing my ass dragged across the runway on "Live at Five". Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

My skydiving weekend came to an early end today. About six weeks ago, I was on a load where someone's reserve pilot chute popped out, a vivid reminder of the importance of pin checks. Today, I picked up my rented rig, jumped it three times, and when picking it up for my fourth jump, I went through my normal routine of checking the pins and making sure the pilort chute is cocked, since I use a packer. It was an Infinity container. I pulled the small flap, and noticed that just above it under the larger flap, there was something pushing the larger flap up a bit. So I undid the larger flap, like when you turn the AAD on. The reserve pin was sticking up at about a 25 degree angle or so to the back of the rig. I knew for sure this wasn't right, and I felt gently around where the bottom of the pin should be since I didn't know how long it was. Pop! And screaming past my head goes the spring loaded PC. I'll save my comments about the subsequent handling of the situation for another forum. This thing would have gone when I put my rig on, gotten on the airplane, or even worse, while I was float on the jump. Are these containers known for this, or was this just a shit happens thing? Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Add me, the humble Skylord, to the list as being there!! Look forward to meeting all of you! Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

kbone skyyhi is busy with school and I miss her posts. And I'm sad too for those we've lost. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Actually, neither are near the LA Basin, to my way of thinking. Both are way south. I jump at both and also do ATC (18 years) for all that airspace. The departures go ABOVE the DZ, and the arrivals go around and don't get anywhere near my magic circles. We do it all the time for all sorts of reasons, and we make it work, it is a matter of making it a requirement for pilots in non participating a/c to stay out and for us to keep them out. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman