greybeard

How many people are making a living at the drop zone? Twenty years ago, you could show up at the dz and count on almost anybody local or otherwise connected to fly with you in whatever disciple you chose. Free and for fun. Today, it might cost you for the 'coach', his jump ticket, and the beer. It seems today, that everybody and their brother wants to make a dollar off of you. How many dz's have more staff than customers? The 'Big-way-camps' are especialy scary with what they charge to learn. The 'Big-way-events' are even more exspensive. The organizers are making a living by feeding our addictions. * All well and good to a point, expenses,etc, but trophy monetary rerwards are not what I love about this sport and the people in it. * The Cesna dz that I learned static line progression from, did not have much mentoring, but what they did, they didn't charge for. Wingsuiting by 'Birdman Inc.' seems to have changed their direction lately and Scott Compos is touring with 'free first flight instruction'. When was the last time you offered to do a two way or three way with some fresh A's. Do It, Burn a ticket, could be fun!.

I have to "agree" with Rob. George was perhaps the last of the 'SKY GODS'. A poor discription of the mentality of an era. Sky God was'nt just a name then, it was an attitude. The attitude we now recognize as detrimental to the growth of our sport. It, (the attitude), at the time, was a fundamental support structure for enhanching big way skydiving. Dan and George were the tag-team brothers of growing big way stuff. Dan loved everybody and George scrutenized everybody. It worked. Big way is BIG. So history will show, Dan is everybody's hero and freind, and George is most everybody's asshole. So it is. And thus spoke Mark!

Antagonistic!

One otter pilot, when asked which way I should decend, said, "What the fuck do I care", Later, on the ground told me I "Scared the shit out him when he saw me pass his flght path".

bump Gotta be some more positive notes from experienced flockers. feed the fire fellows.................. Challange : THE111, LOU DIAMOND, FRED, VECTORBOY, share some simple little fun trivia.

Good foreplay move Krisann, try turning him over for extended stimulation.

I started skydiving late in life. I was getting too banged up jumping and racing bikes, cars, skis, and boats. Seventeen years and nothing more than bruises. Most of those acquired around the bonfire. Safest and most fun sport ever. An old skydiver who wants to be an older skydiver, the greatest thrill is the diversity. I started out freakflying, learned skysurfing, rw, and crw, and now wingsuiting. Fly fast and HAVE FUN!

Remember that first exit? Out, open,....... holy shit, I'm flying, not falling, flying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post your fun and fast experience. Newbies want to hear it!!!!!!!!!!! I never lost the thrill of watching the plane swing away on it's way back down. I know I'm going to bank away opposite and race back to the DZ, way before the diving aircraft can get close to it's final, I'm playing around with wind direction and sun positioning, to max my fun time in the sky. Yee Haw!!!!!!!! I have the power, I have the time and presence to enjoy as I will.

Did you attend school in this country? If yes, then this is why you are oblivious to many obvious facts. Read more, listen less. Sorry to sound rude, but when my twelve year old asked me if I was aware of this ruse, I made him write me a research paper on the inception and subsequent evolution of the Fed Res. Most of his available source material was mired with nonsense and myth and lies. It took a University library to tell the real story.

Our three rw probably looked like a street brawl, but we planned it that way. Not too many bruises. HE,he,he. Thanks again.

How about a 'thanks mark, for proving that you can fly with anybody, anywhere'. Sorry Jeanie that tacticle timing left you out in the cold, but I will defend your prowess in the sky to anyone, anywhere. To all: this gal has more range that a AN2. You fly girl!!!!

Free tunnel time for the Holiday boogie in Eloy. The tunnel time was awesome. I lied about ever having been in before. All worked out fine. Had a blast with a three way. Had great fun with Jeanie(Amazon). The most fun was watching your four way work out. Very, very cool, thanks. You guys are the best, thanks again. Mark

cool pics, Sott, thanks.

good on all of you. (kinda like the picture of self frag too.)

Do you remember telling me I could have your new wingsuit? Heal up bro. See at 13000, 150 mph. Mark

I am voting for any wing loaded pilot above 1:1, or any self proclaimed swooper, (and god love them, they are great fun to watch), to either have a solid bright red canopy or at least fly a thirty foot red streamer behind them. Let the vast majority of fun jumpers know that you are a danger to them. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but eventualy, some day, we will have deal with you to protect or lives. I understand that you love all of us and would never deliberatly endanger any one of us. But, guess what............. It just keep happening. Fly a fucking red flag, please. Thank you. Mark, an old skydiver who wants to be and older skydiver.

Damn, Brought a box of books for Tom just last Sunday, and hoped do some shooting and drinking and singing. Peace, Tom Wiliams, a better man than I.

No comprende! Need pics or at least ilustrations.

Like poopeye, I'll be in Casa Grande for the week. I could easly run to sky harbor for a quick pick up, if times work. I plan on jumping the airspeed scrambles on the 26 th and 8-way the 27 th, beyound that, mostly wingsuiting the week away. Be happy to help shuttle, but it will cost at very least a serving of homemade turkey soup, pumkin pie or a very cold beer. Mark Those in need: 12/18 Arriving (AJWILSON) 12/21 12/22 12/23 12/24 12/25 Arriving US Airways flight #351,11:38AM (GeorgeRussia) 12/26 Arriving Southwest at 8:35 pm(Evelyn) 12/27 12/28 12/29 Leaving Southwest at 7:00 am(Evelyn) 12/30 Those who can do a good deed: 12/18 popeyefireman 12/20 popeyefireman 12/22 popeyefireman 12/24 12/25 12/26 Greybeard 12/27 Greybeard popeyefireman 12/29 popeyefireman 12/30 12/31 popeyefireman

CHEERS, and brothers, to all of us, also lift a glass. Chris is buying. Mark

quitter! More power to ya bud! Mark

"Go ask Alice, when she's ten feet tall."

my daughter is getting married sat 10-21. i'm singing for her, our favorites; the wedding song, sunshine of my life, and bridge over troubled waters. Help me please get those notes, that used to come easy, not be quite so strained from this old frog. Back up vocal would be much appriecated. i'm practicing in the garage now, 3:20 a.m. if any ten or fifteen of you would like to rehearse. Hurry! Proud DAD

Names I've heard mentioned: Mike Michigan Bill Von something Besty Barnhouse Craig Geraird Kevin Keenan Kati somebody from CA now in Denmark That PD guy everybody knows.