Guru312

My first jump was in 1960 on a T-10 while in jump school at Ft. Bragg with the 82nd Airborne. My first sport jump, June 1960, was, think a C-9, or similar, with a 5 gore double L modification while in the XVIII Airborne Corps SPC. My first jump on my own modified rig was a 7 gore TU. I bought the canopy, again I think C-9, for $10.00. I used the home sewing machine of an elderly seamstress friend and did all the modifications myself in her parlor. She couldn't believe all the material that took up much of the little room. The worst part about the old rigs in my estimation was the two-shot Capewell connectors. Those damned things were impossible to disconnect if they got even slightly dirty. My first jumpmaster got killed on Sicily DZ at Bragg because he had a difficult time recovering from being dragged in windy conditions. He made the mistake of releasing the first 'shot' while about 200 feet off the ground. One riser wasn't fully inserted in the Capewell, somehow, and the canopy 'disappeared' when the riser released. A sad day for me seeing him die about 50 feet away. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I don't know that I can list benefits other than financial for the DZ operator. AFF and tandems are benefits to the operator financially. Tandem particularly. I corresponded with a guy who runs a tandem-only DZ. That surprised me, frankly. Your comment regarding insurance underwriters touchs the thing I'm most concerned about: insurance. I'm facing just that because I'm putting people into a vehicle with intelligence. If I can even find an underwriter no one else is going to paying a higher premium...except me! Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

That's a very reasonable response to which I owe an equally reasonable answer...IF the moderators on here will allow it. I'm not hiding anything but I am in the process of selling something. I've purposively evaded discussing details because I don't want to be seen as a huckster for the whole idea. I'd rather be seen as some nutty olde jumper who wants to see night tandems 'legalized.' That all said, here's the deal. I'm an inventor. I've designed and built a robot for security, surveillance and gaming with gaming being my main focus: more money and more fun in gaming. Some of you may have seen threads I started about 'making a small fortune in parachuting' and how to make money on a DZ with a non-jumping activity. And, having been a DZ owner/operator I know that after dark not much happens on a DZ to make money. I've created a game with a loose quasi-military flavor or feel in which players are members of the 312th CyberForce Commando Group, AIRBORNE. [Any SpecOps types will see the obvious connection to 7th SFG or similar.] Players of the game are commandos who must infiltrate various locations and 'take-over' facilities and systems associated with the game. The night tandem connection is this: most players won't want to go through AFF training to become a proficient jumper just to play the game. Since night very much enhances the game night tandems are a part of it all. I don't 'need' night tandems to make this work. As a matter of fact, tandems night or day, would be a relatively small part of the whole operation. Anyone reading the above will probably think WTF? And, frankly, if most people didn't think that I'd know I wasn't on the right track. Simply put, two players team up with one robot and form a 'cyberforce commando team' with the robot being the third member of the team. I've severely modified a standard golf cart to be totally controllable via computer...and soon, maybe next month...anyone with proper authorization will be able to drive it from anywhere in the world using a standard browser such as you use to access DZ.com. Any area where golf carts could be driven is a potential site for this game. A DZ already has the land and infrastructure to accomodate the players...players who most of which will NOT be jumpers nor interested in jumping. Some will want to jump as part of the game. Is that nuts...or what?! Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Bozo and others... The sport is evolving. Gear is changing...unfortunately, a bit faster than attitudes. My questions and comments about night tandems was meant to be a learning experience for myself so I can evaluate the way I'd like to integrate night tandems into my idea. Imagine landing a wingsuit! Is that needed, necessary, important or safe? Is there a compelling reason to jump off a building, a tall rock or a TV tower? When I started jumping everyone had two-shot Capewell connectors. Now, nearly everyone has what was once known in the very pejorative sense as 'a three ring circus'. You cannot imagine the arguments the I observed--and was a party to--over the safety and sanity of that wonderful and brilliant invention. As I've written, times change. Give me some *reasons* why night tandems shouldn't be considered as an acceptible activity for non-experienced people. With as little emotion as possible, please. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

You people! I'm not going to post the pictures without getting the OK from the ladies involved. And, since what I wrote about happened 30 years ago, they are either grandmoms or dead...or both...and I don't know how to reach them. Hell, I felt bad writing that and using names which began with the same letters as theirs. Honor, chivalry, blue sky...we need them all. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Bill... No, I certainly don't get your drift. You didn't *read* my post, evidently. Can't you see the connection you are making with NO NIGHT TANDEMS and the past prohibition of: Tandems, AFF, sleave retainer lines, or contact in freefall. I've received a half a dozen PMs about this. LOTS of people are doing night tandems. Explain to me *why* they shouldn't be done. I have a Mensa card in my pocket...I just may be able to understand your answer. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

And that would be??? I'd love to discuss it but I think I could be in violation of the DZ.com rules which state: "You will not advertise or solicit other members to buy, sell or peruse any products or services for that purpose through this discussion forum." I'm an inventor/designer. I created something for which I'm attempting to get venture capital. Strange as it may seem, night tandems would play a part in the activitiy. My idea is for an activity which would take place on a DZ or airport after dark. The activity would extend the operation hours of the DZ into night time when the activity is appreciated more. When the time comes I'll be contacting Sangiro about advertising to DZ owner/operators. I don't have anything to sell because I need the venture capital to get into operation. I don't have a company in which you could buy stock so I'm not selling stock either. A determination of whether I'm selling something is on the edge...just like the idea. Moderator: If this post violates the rules do what you need to do...and I apologize. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

That's an easy one to answer. Around 1974 or so I was flying jumpers at Pelicanland in Ridgely, Maryland and Jim McIntyre was the chief instructor. Because I was an instructor and one of the pilots; I often taught the aircraft exit portion of the first jump class. One day Jim came running up to me while I was refueling my 182 and said, "You gotta teach aircraft exits today...the most beautiful woman I've ever seen is in today's class!" Jim saw more than a few beautiful women in his day so I thought this woman must be very special. When I approached the class, of at least a dozen, I looked at all the women. Then I saw her. Simply amazing. I was awed by her beauty immediately. Definately the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. To protect the innocent, I'll say her name was Lindy. As it turned out, Lindy was so beautiful that she was featured in Playboy magazine that year when the magazine ran an article on "The Women of Washington." I had a very difficult time keeping my mind on teaching aircraft exits. Being in the mockup next to her while she practiced getting out was all foreplay. She smelled as wonderful as she looked. The best part was that she seemed to be as taken by me as I was by her. Fast forward a few weeks...she came back to jump again and we made a date after exchanging telephone numbers. A few days before I was to fly into College Park Airport to meet her, she called. Just hearing her voice made me breath heavier. But I was worried. I thought she was calling to cancel as she had done previously. She asked me if I remembered Jody the cute, little, blue-eyed blonde who was in the class with her. I told her that I remembered and that I thought she was quite attractive and asked why she wanted know. Much to my surprise, Lindy asked, "Well, would it be OK if Jody came along on our date?" I was dumbfounded. At first, believe it or not, I thought she meant that Jody come as her 'protection' from me but I soon realized that Lindy wanted Jody to join us. My mind went wild with the thought! How could I be so lucky? Not only was I going to fulfill every straight guy's dream I'd be doing it with too incredibly beautiful women who were obviously looking forward to the weekend together as much as I was. I flew into College Park Airport and picked up the two women. We then flew down the Chesapeake Bay to a small island in the middle of the bay known as Tangier Island. We landed at a the small strip and walked into the main portion of the town. Not really a town, just a group of homes and restaurants. Tangier Island is a tourist destination for ferry boats. We ate lunch in a restaurant full of blue-haired old lady tourists. It was obvious to all the old folks that we had something special going on. It was funny to see the old men whispering and looking my way in obvious jealousy of my position with the two beautiful young women. The old ladies were clearly not thrilled with our kissing and hugging. Flying back to college park was difficult because of all the foreplay and touching and petting between the three of us. I couldn't wait to get back to our motel room. The touching, caressing, feeling, stroking and long, deep looks between the two women was extremely erotic to watch. The foreplay between them lasted forever. It was at three hours before we were partially undressed. Everything was so slow, so passionate, so savored. The way they looked at each other and then at me was what I remember so vividly. The touching and deep, long kisses between them. I was a partner but yet still a voyeur, an observer. They enjoyed realizing how turned on I got from watching them together. We took turns watching. We shared each other, again and again. I began my life-long love of bi-sexual women that weekend. I became a changed guy. I became more sensitive, caring and I learned to take hours to make love instead of minutes. Over the years, I learned there was a downside to all of my joy with two women: a guy can not take a woman to that special place they seem to be able to reach when with another women. How women make love together is nothing like how guys make love to women. I have a picture of the three of us taken next to the plane at the airport on Tangier Island. It's fortunate that I have a picture because when I take out that old photo and gaze at it... I know it wasn't a dream. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I posted a question in the Safety/Training forum a few days ago concerning night tandem jumps. I also corresponded with a few people about this issue. Bottom line is that USPA 'discourages' such an activity and specifically prohibits students from jumping during darkness. In my correspondence to people I mentioned that when I first started sport jumping, June 1960, I was not permitted to jump a 7 gore TU rig...too dangerous: only the Army team was permitted that luxury. Also, at that time, we were told we couldn't use a sleeve retainer line because it would entangle and cause a malfunction. [Holding tension and chasing sleeves were two reasons for having women on the DZ back then...remember that chauvinism?] Again around that time, we were discouraged from making contact in freefall. The time period was just before the first batan pass. [Steve Snyder and who?] AFF and the idea of tandem jumping wasn't in anyone's mind in the early 60s. Now, finally, my point...if many of the things we did way back then were discouraged or prohibited how did they ever get changed to be what they are? Can anyone add some factual history on the development of any of the above? Maybe some sort of a time line? Or just your recollection of 'how things were'...in the beginning... I have a reason for wanting night tandems...and I want to hear the historical aspects of our development into what jumping is today for a clues in how to get the USPA to say OK to night tandems...as they did with all of the issues I've mention above. Thanks. My memory may be off on some of the stuff so I'm asking the olde farts what they remember. Your comments, please. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Yup...WB2ZTE here. First license was 1952 as a Novice. Now a General. First QSO while in freefall: 1966. 2 meters. Wore a WW II surplus throat mike and headphones. Used ham radio for communications between ground control and aircraft many times for demo jumps over the years. I operated aeronautical mobile many evenings when flying home from a weekend of flying jumpers. Ham radio is fun from a plane. I could hit repeaters VERY far away. Although I love ham radio, I doubt I would have gotten involved if computers and the internet existed way back then. Of course, I'm talking about a time before the commercialization of the transistor and all my rigs had tubes! 73, Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

This I understand. But I'm asking for 'specific' reference to official doctrine. I flew one of the first half dozen stadium jumps. Stadium jumps were highly discouraged; now USPA Pro certification mentions stadiums by name. So times change... Tandem and AFF were long discouraged as you know better than most. Maybe DZs are missing an extra money-maker by not figuring how to sell night tandems to wuffos. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I spent almost 45 minutes on the USPA website in an attempt at finding regulations on night tandem jumps. I wasn't able to find anything in the SIM or any other on-line manuals. I did note that night jumps are considered 'extraordinary' so I'm assuming night tandems aren't terribly common. Can anyone tell me the situation with night tandem jumps? Do any DZs actively encourage or advertise for them? What would be representative cost for such a jump? I have a quite a few night jumps and always thought they were more fun than day jumps. Night tandems would be a trip... Thanks! Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I recently posted a poll in the History and Trivia forum asking the olde farts if they ever made any money in parachuting. It got me to thinking.... My grandfather, who was a golf professional and owner of a number of golf-oriented businesses, often said "A golf course is a very under utilized asset; if you could come up with a way to make money on a course at night you'd be rich." Drop zones are under-utilized real estate in much the same way as golf courses. So I thought... What other activities do you have at your DZ beside jump-related stuff such as rigging, sales and instruction? Are there any DZs with ropes courses, climbing walls or fitness courses? Would you want to extend your operational day into night hours if you could...if the activity made money but wasn't directly jump related? Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Start out with a large one... Once upon a time, 45 years ago, I was in the DZ operation business. I charged $35 for a S/L first jump. I catered to first jumpers and those working their way through the A-D license process. I was in parachuting because I loved the whole lifestyle. Working as 'gypsy' pilot flying at various DZs was fun and I paid the bills but I wasn't getting rich. How about you...how did you do in the parachuting business; did you make any money? Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I started skydiving in 1961 at Ft. Bragg with the XVIII SPC. I started DZs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in 1969. Having the responsibility of running a DZ back then...and doing most of the rigging...kept me from flying as much as I liked. As much as I love jumping, flying jumpers is more challenging and more fun. I have 2000+ hours flying up and down, up and down. After getting out of the DZ business for myself, I flew for many DZs on the East Coast but the absolute most fun was flying for Mike Schultz at Pelicanland in Maryland. I did that for 2-3 years. Best years of my life! I have an ultra-light which I'm rebuilding. No license required, of course, but it scares the crap out of me. Only 11 HP from 2 5.5HP chainsaw engines. Every flight is a Number 9.9 pucker factor. Still...flying jumpers in a Cessna 182 is the most fun of all. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

If NBA stars were jumpers the 40+ number would be way higher. I made that cut... and I hate basketball. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I'm bored... just answer the damn questions. So am I so I will. 1. Whats your name?Bernie 2. How old are you? OLD: 64 tomorrow, March 7th 3. Why did you decide to start jumping out of airplanes? Wanted to be a paratrooper. Jump school in March, 1960. Skydiving in June, 1960 4. Are you single or taken? Married? Divorced. Available. 5. Do you have kids? Two daughters. 12 and 44. Two grandchildren. 6. What do you drive? Cyber 1 7. Have you ever done a kisspass? Often 8. Where do you live? Southern New Jersey 9. Do you have any pets? Two female golden retrievers 10. How many jumps do you have? 900 or so 11. What color eyes do you have? Hazel 12. What is your nationality? American. 13. Have you ever dated someone you met off the internet? Sort of... 14. Favorite Movie? 12 Monkeys 15. What do you do when you arent skydiving? Invent stuff... 16. Have you ever BASE jumped? Not yet. 17. If not... do you want to? Of course. Want to jump Angel Falls...as many of my students have. 18. Do you have siblings? 1 sister 19. Where do you want to travel to the most? Scotland 20. What's your favorite color? Blue 21. Where was the last place you flew to ( not skydiving )? Up...in a hot air balloon. 22. Do you think any one noticed how old you are? I hope not. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I just posted to another thread about this... my number was 89 jumps with most at night. A team of Navy Lakehurst, NJ riggers who team packed ten ParaCommanders. Two aircraft. Two of the world's best jump pilots: Len Potts and Bob Kubler. A few dozen 'ground crew' and support staff. TV and radio coverage. And thousands and thousands of spectators. I set the world record for puking one's guts out while jumping out of an aircraft at night. Why doesn't someone try to break my record? I dare you. http://aicommand.com/PukeDuke.htm Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Jay Stokes is the man! No doubt about that. But I hold the world record for parachuting night pukes. In the early '70s the record was 200 jumps. I attempted to break that record. I got sick on the second jump and nearly every jump there after. A doctor who came to watch me had the good sense to tell me to stop. What I find funny is that no one has ever tried to break my record of 87 night pukes. http://aicommand.com/PukeDuke.htm Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

HAHAHAHA ... thats freakin hilarious."sounds like somthing on the simpsons!" thanks to guys like you pioneering the sport for guys like me! Well, damn, just what the doctor ordered: a laugh. When you get old you'll realize that the 'right now' part isn't any joke. You'll see; you'll see. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Congratulations!!! Not too many of us out here. I've been inventing most of my life. I have four patents and my AICommand system will probably yield a few more. Unfortunately, I had to pay for them all myself. Can you imagine that Edison had 1049 patents?! You idea is way cool, by the way. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

How are you kiddies doing? Gramps here typing at you. I'll be 64 in March. First jump March, 1960 with the 82nd Airborne Division. First sport jump, June 1960 with the XVIII Airborne SPC. My first sport rig was a 28' surplus rig which I turned into a 7 gore TU on old seamstress' sewing machine. I put a few hundred jumps on that rag. My first few sport jumps were without a sleeve retainer line. At the time, jumpers couldn't agree on the safety of the line nor agree on how long it should be. The olde days...I remember them well. Oh, I could go on and on with old jump stories but right now I have to go to the bathroom. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

As the concerned and loving dad of the "silly little blonde cheerleader" who is the purpose of this thread I sure hope to hell you aren't around the dropzone the day Rebecca makes her first skydive because I wouldn't want you treating her. It's doctors like you who make me glad we have lawyers. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

My daughter, who is 12, is a flier on her cheerleading squad. I've watched her be repeatedly thrown into the air and caught by other girls her age. None are older than 14. At least I understand how my mom felt when she came to watch me skydive! Although they use mats for practice there are no mats during cheering at basketball games. I think what they are doing is *very* dangerous. I told her that I bet more people are hurt cheerleading than skydiving. The USPA site says this about injuries: "Many accidents go unreported. Only 1,275 USPA members reported having injuries requiring medical attention in 2002. A database anomoly precluded USPA from collecting comparative data for 2003." Can anyone direct me a site or does anyone have personal access to stats on jumping injuries? I'm not trying to make the arguement that my daughter should quit cheerleading, far from it, I just want her to understand the real dangers. Any help or any comments from the jumping community? Thanks! Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

This thread is funny! It is a troll as you can see by reading a part of the definition cited: "The purpose of deceptive trolls is to trick people into either following a link or reading a comment which seems legitimate but is actually a troll.? Does Slappie know he's being a troll by starting this thread? This thread can be endlessly recursive. And fully appreciated by ONLY those nerds and geeks who read Slashdot. In my case, I have to have three or four hits of Slashdot and DropZone.com per day or I feel all empty inside. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper