swovelin

Here is a better photo of the inimitable "Doctor Dave."

It is my sad duty to report that Dr. Dave Holmes has "joined the big-way in the sky." I'm informed that Dave passed away a few days ago in the Las Vegas area; services are this Saturday, Oct. 18, in Henderson NV. The inimitable 'Doctor Dave' was a pioneer RW instructor in the early days, using his background in education, he helped develop a formal progression for teaching FF skills to up-&-coming jumpers. He was a dedicated instructor, a safety-first, no-nonsense jumper, and he was a true friend to all. RIP and fly free Dave! Edited to add photo of Doctor Dave, 2nd from right, thanks to Bob Buehrer.

Eike Hohenadl was one amazingly successful fellow; he was loved by EVERYONE who knew him! Eike was given a suitable send off today, dignified and loving in equal parts. Godspeed Eike Hohenadl!

The video of the memorial jump is up! (Finally!) This is the "inside POV" from my helmet cam, so it's a close-up, but it does have some good moments. First you see Barb smiling as always, then you see Tim dock first, then Tom, and Chris closes last. If you want, you can scan forward through the canopy ride to watch the amusing landing. (I'm sure I meant to do it just like that!) Here is the link to U-Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hSCb0Hvdto&edit=vd I hope some smart person can make it a clicky. Thanks.

Scott Smith did the overhead camera POV for the memorial jump. Here are some frame-grabs from his video, including the exit (I'm holding the bag and Barb is kindly holding me) and the faux ash deployment in the formation with Chris Deli Shlipp, Tim Long & Tom Brown. Thanks guys!

Yes, it really was a good "gathering of the tribe" for the Mark & Bobby 20-Year memorial. Thanks to all who supported the event. Here are some frame-grabs from the memorial jump, showing Barb Swovelin deploying the faux ashes (Perlite, glitter & other goodies). BSBD Bobby & Mark!

Although it seems like just yesterday, it has already been twenty years since Mark Sechler & Bobby Smith 'flew west' together. (Heavy sigh.) But I'm pleased to report that Val Wood and the Sechler family are having a gathering to honor them! The Bobby & Mark Joint Life Celebration starts at 2:00 on Sunday April 27 at the Memorial Park at Perris Valley Airport. There will be a tree-planting and photos and food and drink will be available. If you knew our old friends, "The Brahs," please come join the celebration and share a story or two.

Those Super Scoopers are amazing, especially operating out of such a small body of water; what skill, what a rush! But I can't believe that this knucklehead went for the close-up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX8CnaQY31Q This is #4 of 8 and his other videos aren't bad either.

Is that Pat Conatser?

Hi Old-Schoolers! I'm looking for photos of the Elsinore Howard DGA jump planes. A friend of my mine is in the process of purchasing a totally refurbished Howard DGA-15, N67423, and he was told that it's one of the old Elsinore jump planes. (I vaguely seem to remember an "Ol' 423 Howard," that looked just like Ol' 418.) Any photos or stories of 423 would be greatly appreciated. P.S. You should see the old gal now!! https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B-kivQfJ-GA9cVZhb3pXdjE4YjA&usp=sharing (Help with clicky, por favor.)

Hi Friends-of-Pat! I'm pleased to report a major embellishment to Patrick's Purple Plum tree at the Memorial Park at PVA. Patrick's memorial plaque finally arrived and it now commemorates his tree. So, whenever you're out at Perris, if Patrick happens to come to mind, consider dropping by the N/E corner of the park to say "Hi!"

Ladislav, that’s what they named the little guy when he was born, June 20, 1934, Ladislav Mencl. His parents must have liked that name, but I never heard it; I never heard him called anything other than just “Laddie.” Laddie was born in Czechoslovakia, in the glorious era Czechs called The First Republic, “The only Parliamentary Democracy in central Europe!” The good times ended in 1938 when the Nazi army took half their country; Hitler gave it his own little nickname, the “Sudetenland,” and then Hungary and Poland took most of the rest. After the Nazis got kicked out of Czechoslovakia, of course, the Communists took over and they ruled with an iron fist for 45 years (1948-1993). The reason for this background is that I really do not know much about Laddie before he came to the states. However, one clue is hidden in a book with a title as long as some entire books, “GAUNTLET! 5 Friends, 20,000 Enemy Troops, and the Secret That Could Have Changed the Cold War!” This is supposedly a true story about a 1953 escape from behind the Iron Curtain, of 5 guys who had the audacity to simply walk out; they walked from Czechoslovakia through East Germany and eventually into the West, to freedom. Laddie Mencl is listed as “technical expert and background consultant.” Hmmm…what to make of that? One thing I was surprised to learn is that Laddie was an Army Veteran and it was OUR ARMY! Yep, after Laddie fled to America to escape the Communists in Europe, he served a term in the US Army, just to make a contribution to the fight against the Communists in Korea. I first met Laddie in the early 1970s at Skylark Field, the fabled Elsinore Paracenter. Back then we were both jumping gutter gear and Army-surplus mains and spending 45+ minutes in a roaring, unheated Howard just to get to 7,500 to try to do grab-ass RW for maybe 25 seconds. We loved every minute of it! Laddie and I shared rides to & from the DZ many times; I appreciated his always-upbeat attitude and his zest for life. Despite our many differences (we had totally different backgrounds, I was a starving college student, he was 18 years my senior, etc.), none of that mattered. We were jump buddies, and good friends, and either one would have given the other the very shirt off his back. Another item that surprised me was Laddie’s SCS award. I knew he had one, of course, because he proudly wore the distinctive patch, his Star Crest SOLOIST patch. However, I was surprised to learn where Laddie earned his SCS (#581, a very low number). It was on Sept. 23, 1972 in a place called Yverdon-les-Bains, in Switzerland! Think about how rare it was at that place and time to have enough aircraft and enough skilled jumpers to be able to build a 7-Man Star, just so Laddie could have a chance to dock 8th or later! Wow! I have some of my own “Laddie Jump Stories” to share, but that will be for another time, another missive. In closing, I know that Laddie was a happy man in his later years; the Soviet Union imploded and his beloved Czechoslovakia threw off the chains of Communist domination in 1993 (Laddie outlasted the Commies by 20 years!). Today the Czech Republic is known as “the most peaceful, the most democratic, and the healthiest” nation in all of Europe. I wish I could have seen Laddie just one more time, before he passed away on May 6th, but that was not meant to be. I still hope to see him again someday, at “the big DZ in the sky.” Farewell and rest in peace, Ladislav Mencl, you were a good friend and, much more importantly, you were a good man.

It is my sad duty to report that Laddie Mencl has passed away. Laddie was one of the true “characters” of the sport, jumping at Elsinore and Perris during the ‘70s. Anyone who ever had the pleasure to meet a very crusty, but always-smiling, wiry little guy with a strong Czech accent will never forget Laddie Mencl. I just learned that Laddie passed away from natural causes back on May 6th at age 79. A nephew knew Laddie had old friends in the So Cal skydiving community and he wanted to get the word out. Laddie’s ashes are interred at Riverside National Cemetery. (He was a US Army veteran during the Korean conflict; who knew?) If you would like to pay him a visit, you can look up the location: Columbarium Section 59A, Site 109. Also, if you would like, you can send condolences to the family; the mailing address is 100 Atlantic Avenue #616, Long Beach, CA 90802. This is just the basic info; I’m working on a more detailed obit/eulogy, which I will post soon. I know that I speak for many of us when I say, farewell Laddie Mencl; we’ll miss you, but you have a very well-earned rest in peace.

OK, one more try with the photo.

Today was a good day. Pat's kids, Alanna & Preston, got a beautiful display case for the US Flag from Pat's Military-honors funeral. Plus, a commemorative tree was planted in his honor in the Memorial Park at PVA. It's a Plum Tree that will provide shade for years (and Patrick will love the PURPLE color).

Patrick, I can't believe it's been a year. It seems like yesterday that we were chatting, but it also seem like I've been missing you forever. Your wonderful kids planted a Purple Plum Tree at Perris today in your honor. The "Patrick Tree" will be there for years, growing up towards those beautiful Blue Skies.

Ooh, ooh, ooh! Another old-time jumper just reminded me of some additional "unusual but true facts" about skydiving, as follows: • The Downer You Are, The Faller You Fast - You fall faster as you get closer to the earth and gravity - this is especially true of BASE jumping as I'm sure you can attest. • Sunset Loads - It is a well known fact that winds at sunset will subside if enough alcohol is consumed within the USGS grid in question before Green Light. I believe the formula is V=-3k/1liter squared where V=velocity, k = knots and 1 liter is clearly not enough. • DZ Managers - The timing of canopy rides for the purpose of punishing low-pullers simply doesn't count if said stopwatch has been cleared within 5 minutes of the event. (throw hat now). • Reserves - The number of emergency deployments is in direct proportion to the number of times ones mouth is open regarding the lack of said emergency deployments. There! I hope that helps to clarify matters!

Happy Birthday Bro. We all miss you.

Last night (Sat 1/26) a new documentary called "Paul Williams Still Alive!" premiered on Showtime and I highly recommend it. Everyone who jumped at Perris/Elsinore in the '70s will enjoy this, especially anyone who ever encountered the irrepressible Paul Williams. For those who may not remember, Paul was a multi-award-winning composer,singer, raconteur and man-about-town (e.g 50 appearances on the Johnnie Carson Show!). He took up skydiving in the early '70s and, in typical style, he blazed a short-lived path of glory, jumping with the Golden Knights and sponsoring the amazing team Grim Business. Don't miss the best part, the re-discovered early FF video at the end. Another highlight are the many version of Paul's song from the original Muppet movie, "The Rainbow Connection." Showtime will re-broadcast it soon, so check it out!

On Tuesday morning NASA moved the flight back another day. Now Endeavour is not scheduled to land at LAX until FRIDAY 9/21.

Oops, I'm sure that Patrick wouldn't have neglected to upload the photo!

Day is gone, the deed is done, Patrick has retired to the skies, but... the Love remains. A heartfelt thank you to all!

Hi Friends-of-Pat! This Sunday is July 1, the Patrick Life Celebration at Perris Valley DZ! The memorial flower drop jumps (& the kid's tandems) will be about 3:30, followed by a Patrick Pool Party with lots of food & a keg of beer

OK, it's "the day after;" Pat's stunning military funeral at Riverside National Cemetery went off without a single hitch (sniffle). On behalf of the entire family, I want to say "Thank You!" to everyone who attended; your participation does honor to the memory of our loved one. Special thanks go out to the Military Honors Detail ('Taps' ans a 21-gun salute; WOW!). Also, thanks go to the Patriot Guard Riders, who really shined with their escort and their 'hallway of flags,' thanks to old friends Chet Bennett, John Miller, and Norm Van Pelt. Finally, I must also say thank you to Eddie & Gilbert at the Outback Steakhouse in Moreno Valley (they opened early just for us and we took over the place!) THANK YOU to everyone for your wonderful support and for giving Patrick such a unique and memorable send off! Peace.

Thanks to the efforts of many loving people, Patrick was laid to rest today in a style befitting his stature. Thanks to all; photos to follow.