flyboy6554

Rumor has is that Milt Brinkman has already put a bid on an old Boeing 737 that will be converted to a jump aircraft and that the current grass strip at Suppesville will be paved to support the jet for jumping on an "appointment only" basis. Another rumor is that the Kansas City area dzos have already teamed up to petition the FAA to deny the Brinkmans' aircraft purchase AND to lobby against the construction company selected to pave the runway. On a personal note, I have looked into purchasing some unused farm property near the current Suppesville dz where I will install ground to air anti-aircraft missiles designed to shoot down both skydiving aircraft AND any skydivers who don't carry a one million dollar third party liability insurance policy. Also, the Kansas City area dzos have scheduled a boogie to coincide with the opening date of the new "Jump the Jet" operation. How do you like me now, bee-atch?!?!?!?!

After over 20 years in the sport I got tired of logging them, too. So I quit! I was a small dz owner at the time and primarily jumped at my own place and at a few boogies at major dz's throughout the country. Then, a year or two after shutting down my own dz, I was out of state and tried to jump at a new place, where I was not known. Signed the waiver, showed them my license, and they asked for my log book. Told them I didn't log any more. They asked me where I usually jumped and I told them I had no "regular" dz anymore. They weren't going to let me jump, despite the fact that I had a D license, over 1600 jumps and an AFF/I rating! We went round and round on the issue and they finally agreed to let me jump....but by then I was PISSED and walked out in a big huff. Turns out these days LOTS of dz's want to see a log book....yes, I know we could all falsify them and they really don't mean a hill of beans to anyone but ourselves, but in recent years I have had to show that worthless logbook to LOTS of dz owners, and in my book, it just makes things a LOT easier when I'm roaming the contry. SO....now I log them (not too many details or jump descriptions) AND get them signed by someone with a current license!! Just my two cents. blue ones.

HI Jay, I sent you a PM but will post some comments here for all to see since they are relevant. No I do not expect any current dz owner to roll over and die...but then, why should they?? I have had trouble making jumps at BOTH of the local dz's because of their committment to students and tandems. Do I understand that? HELL, YES! That is the business climate we are in....students and tandems pay the bills. I get it! So then why would either dz owner be concerned about a new entry that will probably cater more to experienced jumpers looking for a bigger aircraft that can take them higher for larger formation loads? Quite frankly, I think we could use some additional airlift around here in the summer!(And spring and fall!) There are plenty of times when I have been lucky to grab a spot on a Cessna 182 tandem load just so I could get my knees in the breeze and get re-current! Regardless of what anyone's motives or concerns are, I think that making multiple appearances at city council meetings to lobby against a potential competitor and trying to point out the various "problems" and "safety issues" that the new operation may or may not have is ludicrous. It would be one thing to say "I don't really want another popsicle stand to open up right next to mine," but to say "This new popsicle stand is dangerous and will create a whole lot of problems for the community" is what I call unethical mud-slinging. I hope this makes my position a bit more clear. Blue skies Dave Ternes

Hi Chris, Yes, he did. Since I was unable to squeeze into the room, I did NOT personally hear his comments, but I was informed he more or less stated that the new dz would abide by USPA rules and regs, etc. Somewhat dry testimony. New development: I called Gary Peek, our regional conference director, to make sure he knew about all this, and he let me know he was WELL aware of it and so were many of USPA's leaders. I was thinking about writing a letter to Mr Chris Needles, our National director, to complain about what I consider devious and unethical behavior on the part of the two local drop zone owners who are lobbying so hard to stop the new drop zone. But Gary had a surprising twist to the whole thing: apparently, Tom Dolphin and Chris Hall are actually perturbed that USPA is not doing more to support THEM since they are currently USPA Group member drop zones and the new place is NOT. I pointed out to Gary that if it were me, I would also not send USPA the $400 fee to become a group member until I was sure that I was actually going to be able to OPEN the new dz!! When all the pushing and shouting is over, we have to realize that USPA is probably NOT going to police this fray. I consider the lobbying actions of Tom Dolphin and Chris Hall to be unsavory, unethical and very mean-spirited. In fact, I am appalled at the way they have conducted themselves and the huge efforts they have made to eliminate a potential competitor in the area. That being said, they have done nothing illegal. The best we can do is vote with our feet. We, as skydivers, should not support drop zone owners who run their businesses in this manner. If we want to see Paul and Joann's new place succeed, then we should go out there, if and when it opens and jump, teach others to jump, take up the tandems, do the videos and perhaps spread some good will and enthusiasm so that the locals in the community will not have anything to complain about and will, just possibly, consider us to be good citizens and friendly neighbors. What else can we do?? I hope it works out and I hope to see everyone out there jumping a turbine aircraft in Harrisonville some time this spring.

First, THANKS THANKS THANKS to all the skydivers who showed up for the city council meeting in Harrisonville tonight. As predicted, a SELLOUT crowd. Bad news is I got SOLD OUT due to lack of seats in the place. I got out to H-ville around 6 and stopped by the airport to check it out. Nice place, nice big runway; tons of open space. Found Paul and Joann in the Life Flight building having a chat with those folks. Headed off to City Hall and ran into a bunch of skydivers I hadn't seen in a while. We took our seats early in the small city hall room, then the mayor asked everyone who was there for the skydiving issue to step into the hall to make room for other folks who were there for some zoning issues. So like a good boy I left the room, hung out in the hallway, and when it was time to reseat.....I COULDN'T GET BACK IN!!!!! The town's police chief wouldn't let anyone stand in the room without a seat so I was SCREWED!!! Didn't feel like hanging out in the hall where I couldn't see or hear anything so I left. PLEASE PLEASE SOME OF YOU JUMPERS WHO GOT IN POST SOME NOTES ABOUT THE MEETING!!! WE WANT DETAILS, AS MUCH AS YOU CAN REMEMBER!! I'm so bummed I drove all the way out there for nothing. Well, not true....I did get to see some folks and feel like I was there for support. We need info jumpers....please post as soon as your thoughts are collected. Blue Ones.

Hi Chris, Good to see you on this board. Your comments have been dead-on, of course. Me? I've been in Tampa jumping at Z-Hills the past few days. Got into a nice two otter formation 32 way that built nicely. Other than that, just practicing various yoga positions with dog shit on the sole and hoping for emergency CPR! KC skydiving community rules!! HOO-YAH!!!! Harrisonville tomorrow night. I predict a sellout crowd. As George Bush once said "BRING IT ON!!!!"

Hey Martin, would you please stop trying to be the voice of REASON.....I'm trying to incite a RIOT here!!!! It's pretty cold here in the KC area this time of year; there's not much jumping going on so I'm trying to fill the time by ENCOURAGING as much hate and discontent, finger-pointing, rumors, innuendo, second guessing and general DYSFUNCTIONAL behavior as possible. In other words....good old fashion FAMILY FUN!! By the way, I'm in Tampa and will be jumping at Z-hills for the next few days. Eat your heart out. See you in City Hall, Harrisonville, MO on Tuesday. Film at 11! "Tanks for Nuttin!!"....young woman in Caddyshack, 1980.

I've been waiting for the right moment to jump into this fray. I'm a local KC area skydiver who can't wait for a new dz to open that has a turbine aircraft. I'm not shocked that the local dz owners tried to pile on the new place BEFORE IT EVEN OPENED UP. The next meeting of the Harrisonville Board of Alderman is Tuesday, Feb 21 at 7 PM. I contacted the city administrator, Ms. Diana Wright, and let her know that a few area skydivers might show up for this meeting just to see what is REALLY going on, who is really saying what, and to insure that the board has some ACCURATE and TRUTHFUL info on what this sport is all about. Ms Wright let me know that we are all welcome, although the seating capacity of the room is about 60, including the mayor and council. The board will address some other issues first, and they have left the skydiving discussion for last.....some people concerned with earlier issues will probably be asked to leave early to allow the skydiver contingent to be seated, if there are a lot of us. SO....I recommend that ANY local KC area jumpers who would like to show some support for this new operation SHOW UP and voice your opinion. I will be getting back from a short trip out of state that afternoon, but I will make a beeline from the airport to Harrisonville city hall if at all possible to make my loud and obnoxious presence known. City hall is at 300 E Pearl St, Harrisonville, MO. If you have questions call Ms Wright at 816-380-8900. Diana told me that a representative from USPA will also be there to attempt to answer any questions from the board ( the government relations guy, can't remember his name). I think this is GREAT news as the board will now be able to get some unbiased information as opposed to the slanted and biased crap they are getting from the local dz owners. I will be at the door issuing boxing gloves, helmets and baseball bats for everyone to use in the post-meeting discussion out in the parking lot!! Don't miss this drama.....Don't you just love to skydive in KANSAS CIY!!!!!????? Best wishes and blue skies to everyone who has gotten in their two cents on this issue. AS we used to say in my fighter pilot days: "FIGHT'S ON!!" P.S. We are looking for a place to have a few friendly beers afterwards, if anyone has a suggestion.

I had a great time at the convention, made all the jumps I could stand, and enjoyed everything about the place. My one complaint....too many dogs!!! I know all the dog-lovers will flame me but why allow all the dogs into the camping area where they are crapping all over the place so I end up walking through it, especially at night when you can't see it?! It's disgusting and becoming more and more of a problem every year. And don't tell me that owners can clean up after their pets because THEY NEVER DO!! Leave the pets at home, please!! My two cents.

Here's a pic of my old 24 foot belly reserve with tri-vent mod; it is now a "trophy" on my fireplace mantel. Last packed in 1985. Probably still airworthy. I used it six times in the 70's!

Does Mort Freeman still jump with you guys?? I first met him at the AF Academy in the 70's. then ran into him at Clark AB in 1987. made a few jumps with him then. A classic guy and skydiver. Hope he is well!

I am considering the purchase of a Smart reserve to replace the old Rascal 202 I've been carrying around for the past 15 years. They seem to be heavily "marketed" but I was wondering if they are high quality reserves...any comments from riggers or current users. Thanks in advance!

Harvey Buskirk died while skydiving this weekend in Belen, New Mexico. He apparently died of natural causes during the jump....he was 68 years old. I jumped with Harv back with the Quantico Skydivers in 1976 and 1977. He was a great guy and a great skydiver from the old school. He was still active as an instructor at the time of his death. We've lost one of the legends in our sport. Best wishes, Harv.

I agree with the other poster...don't think about selling that gear to anyone for use (by the way I used to jump a Papillon in a mini-system!!). sometimes people are looking for something like that to decorate a rec room or a child's den or something like that. You might consider contacting the USPA guys about the museum they are trying to put together...they might be interested, esp if the gear is in really tip-top shape. Otherwise, give it a shot on ebay....one person's trash is someone else's treasure. good luck!!

Hi Ryan, I coudn't resist....my first main was a T-10 round at Army Airborne School. Then I bought a surplus 28' round with a TU modification for heading control. then a Papillon (a popular round accuracy main from the 70's. All this time I used a 24 round reserve with a tri-vent mod that I used SIX TIMES. I had 500 jumps on rounds before my first square jump. Now I jump a triathlon 160 (over 1000 jumps on it and love it!). I weigh in at about 200 lbs exit weight. Hope you've enjoyed all this useless info!

HI...I have an old Rascal 202 reserve made by the same company. At one time, FTS was at the "cutting edge" of the sport... TSO cat c that was supposed to be much stronger than anything on the market at that time. I've jumped another rascal 202 as a main and it was OK, nothing spectacular, but safe ride to the ground and typical performance for 7 cell reserve at that time. the Bogey is probably similar. Bottom line....if it's in good shape and the price is right, it could be a good deal. Just old technology and nothing razzle dazzle. Probably good for several hundred jumps if it's in good shape now. could be a great beginner's canopy. My two cents!

Don't mean to add confusion to this thread, but a few details. I jumped in Wichita from 1990-1996 and ran a small dz for two years (Jayhawk Skydivers, 1994-1996). Smitty was 93 when he passed away but that was in 1995, I think. I organized a jump-in to his funeral that went very well. Two Cessna 182's in formation at 3500' AGL and we put out 8 jumpers who landed right next to his burial site. The jump went perfectly and then we did a "missing man" fly by with the cessnas!! It was a fitting tribute to a legendary jumper. I had actually only met Smitty a couple of times during my years in Wichita. Occcasionaly someone would bring him out for the day to Jeff Bodiger's dz at El Dorado, about 20 miles NE of Wichita.Smitty was a legend to many of the Wichita area skydivers.

A question for riggers or anyone with knowledge on this subject. Is there any age limitation for a reserve?? I have a reserve manufactured in 1989 that has never been used, but repacked every 120 days since then. I know PD has some stipulations on having older reserves inspected for porosity after so many repacks or openings, but don't know if this applies to all reserves. Thoughts or recommendations? Thanks

I got in a bad habit of opening in a "slight" track after separating from other jumpers during relative work (OK...formation skydiving) I just got lazy and wasn't slowing down completely before pulling. finally got "whacked" on an opening one day that just about knocked me into oblivion! Felt like someone had hit me in the back with a baseball bat as hard as they could. Had a couple of other similar openings, reviewed packing, stow bands, etc until I figured out the problem. Now, after i track off and clear the air, wave-off etc., I DE-ARCH and slow down for a second or two...this technique gives me the softest, sweetest openings imagineable. Important for a guy with 2000 jumps and a 49-year old back. Good luck!