Guru312

Show me yours and I'll show you mine. This is one of the funniest threads EVER!! I feel like I'm evesdropping in the girl's locker room. Don't stop!!! Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

The following is not a joke. A number of years ago, the wife of a very good jumper friend of mine was working in a shop where China dolls were made. She worked in the mold departmet where the heads were created. One day I was visiting them and I saw a table with a few dozen reject heads of various sizes. I picked up one about 2-3 inches in diameter and asked if I could have it. She said I could have it but she wondered why would I want an unglazed and unfinished doll head. I told her I had my reasons. Later that day I was at the airport paying for fuel and a very foxy young woman waited on me. When we were done our transaction I reached into my flight jacket, looked her in the eye and asked "Would you be interested in a little head?" just as I slowly pulled the head from my pocket for her to see. She laughed so hard she got the hiccups. And I had a date. I kept that head in my pocket for years. Nothing worked better as a pickup line. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Quote... People are funny. It's the anticipation of being stuck with a needle that makes them squirm. I'm usually in and done before they know it.

My eleven year old daughter had to go for a blood test so we talked about what the experience would be like. And it got me thinking: When you are going to get stuck with a needle do you watch or do you look away? Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Hi... My name is Bernie Sayers. I'm an inventor and computer consultant. I'm self-employed so I don't have a boss who can fire me for posting during working hours or for posting inappropriate content. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I have had a hernia for over three years. My doctor said the surgery was elective; meaning, I can have if I want to but it's not life threatening. I tried a standard hernia belt. Didn't give me enough support. So I did what any jumper/rigger would do: I made my own. I made a waist strap out of risers of an old surplus rig. I use one inch tubular for straps which go between my legs and velcro for the waist and leg strap adjustment. I have two sets of small double D-rings for adjustment also. Bottom line: don't do anything like jumping without support. With it you can do damn near anything but if you want to build one wear it and get used to it before jumping. DO NOT jump or do anything that will strain yourself without some 'protection'. As your doc will tell you: if you have great pain get to the emergency room...fast. I'm planning my operation in Oct/Nov. Good luck with yours. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

The JM should definately *not* be worrying about the camera. As I indicated in an earlier post, it's easy and safe for the pilot to handle. But be advised that a cheap camera with a standard consumer lens won't get the job done because the field will be too narrow and the jumper won't be placed correctly in the picture. If my old memory serves me correctly, I used a 28mm lens which was a good compromise. A lens which is too wide creates too much distortion in the picture. What do some of the photographers think about a proper lens? A pneumatic release with the bulb on the yolk makes taking the picture by the pilot safe and reliable. Once over the spot and jumper starts getting out the pilot is going to be watching the action. The JM is way too busy dealing with the student to worry about taking the picture. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

No kidding. We get static line students that'll give up a kidney for an 8x10 of their first jump to show all their friends! Yup. For sure. I can't remember the exact prices, way too long ago in the early '70s, but I had a Canon AE-1, motor drive, and lens for...maybe $600. But, damn, don't hold me to the price. It was a hassle, actually, keeping track of pics and students because I couldn't deliver the pics until the next weekend. Today, with digitial technology ...as described...a DZ could make some decent revenue. Having the plane and exit door in the picture makes for a more 'interesting' composition than a pic taken of the student in freefall by a camera flyer. IMHO.[email] Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Many years ago, I taught a totally blind guy to jump. This was way back before AFF and everyone jumped T-10s or modified 28s. We put a CB radio on the guy and talked him into the DZ. He did very well and landed closer to the peas than another student on his lift. Parachutist printed an article with pictures because it was one of the first blind jumpers. Teaching the guy, Harry Charlesworth, was one of the high points of my parachuting career and a very, very emotional experience for both of us. As a matter of fact, we both cried afterward. It was a major thing having him trust me so completely. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I had a camera mount on my 182 for quite a few years. You can see a few of the shots on this web page of mine: http://www.aicommand.com/cam_sys.htm In the pic of me flying my ultralight you can see my left hand on the pneumatic release bulb. I had the same system on the 182. Pneumatic releases can be bought at most camera shops. Not expensive. I ran the rubber tubing from the control yolk, where I put the release bulb, and out the wing strut. Other things to consider: The camera needs a motorized advance and wide angle lens. The lens in pic of the original post is quite wide-angle which gets a good field of view but distorts...see the bent wing. If anyone wants to see my mounting system PM me and I'll take a pic of the assembly. I made it out of aluminum angle and pop rivets. Took about 5 hours. Cool idea. Students love to have their first pic with the plane visible. All the jumping we did was static line. And 30 years ago... Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I think you did not read my post closely enough for almost everything I wrote. This entire thread and the poll is funny! I wasn't attacking cocheese. Nor would I ever suggest that he not be allowed to post in the way he did. He clearly is anticipating offending people and asks should he be banned. Certainly he shouldn't. Similarly, my characterization of someone who would do what he did as 'an asshole' was a feeble attempt to make funny with 'period' and 'vagina'. After all, vagina and asshole *are* really pretty close. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I can't wait until my 11 year old daughter sees this post and thread. Seriously. I'm not upset or offended. It's clear from my posts in the Woman's Only forum that my daughter is cool with 'period' and would be with 'vagina.' When she and I read this thread together in a few days I'll tell her how sorry I am that cocheese doesn't have his picture posted on the dropzone.com site. If he did I'd be able to show her what an asshole looks like. -------------------------- I think when someone posts something like this the normal rules of posting should be withdrawn for responding posts within that thread. Anyone originating something like this should be fair game. Surely cocheese wouldn't be offended. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

FireFox is nice but get the whole shebang with Mozilla! Mozilla has a web page composition program aptly name Composer that you can use to create your own web pages. The best part, no matter if you choose FireFox or Mozilla, is that you will be free of Micro$oft. Better still, you'll be using a browser with less security problems than IE. If you haven't already done so, get the most recent patch! Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

A subject close to my heart. I have two daughters. One is 42 and one is 11. The mother of my second daughter is 30 days older than my first daughter. The mother of my second daughter is 21 years younger than I am. I don't know the membership requirements for the Dirty Old Man's Club but I just may qualify. If I worried about age differences I wouldn't have my wonderful and dynamic second daughter in my life; I wouldn't get the thrill of going to the beach and watching my grandchildren play in the surf with my youngest daughter. My grandson is 2 years younger than my daughter and my granddaughter is two years older. Having a daughter at my age is the greatest thing to have ever happened to me. Of course, YMMV! Short answer: Go for it! Follow your heart and your passion in all things. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

This is a wonderful thread! The check-lists and routines and actions commented on by so many have been a part of my life over the years. I hope I’m not stretching the definition of ‘habit’ too much if I say that I think we are influenced more deeply by aspects of jumping on a psychological or philosophical level. Jumping influences our lives on various deep levels. We look at life and deal with life differently than non-jumpers…by habit. We absorb and exude a self-confidence and a trust in ourselves that non-jumpers don’t have. I argue that we all habitually take on an ‘attitude’ or a persona or a perspective on life because of how the experience of jumping has altered who we are as people. People who jump out of airplanes see themselves and their abilities differently than whuffos. There is something to be said about life in the phrase “Packing your own parachute.” The act of jumping out of an airplane with a parachute that you packed makes a statement about life and how you look at it. You can do anything after that. Belief in oneself is a good habit. Airborne! Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Interesting. But not surprising because this site is wonderful. The person writing the review did have a jab in there that I haven't seen mentioned: "Dropzone visitors can submit news stories of their own experiences. They are surprisingly good." "Surprisingly good" as in "I didn't think anyone who jumped out of a perfectly good airplane had the good sense or intelligence to write a worthy news story." We showed 'em. Congratulations on the accolades and the way you run the site. Great job! Guru312 Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Definately. I find her very attractive. But the question is would she date me. I have a daughter 6 years older than she is. I have a daughter 26 years younger than she is. Oh, wait..."hey, Jerry Springer, can you introduce me to Nicole Kidman?" Guru312 Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

I don't suppose this needs to be posted to "For Women Only" because this is for *everyone* Of course, the females on DZ.com don't need anything like this from what I've been reading. Here's the reference: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&ncid=751&e=1&u=/nm/20040628/hl_nm/health_aphrodisiac_dc Dang, I sure hope that ridiculously long URL will work as a clickable. If not, you can always copy and paste it. Take a look, it's an interesting read. Guru312 Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

This is one of the most sexist questions and some of the most sexist responses I've read in quite some time. I have an eleven year old daughter. I'm teaching her how to do just about everything...without all the sexist overtones expressed in this thread. She takes ballet, tap and jazz lessons. She's a straight A student. For the last three years she has won the physical fitness award for her class...not just for the girls...for all the kids. She loves flying, hot air ballooning, driving a 4-wheeler very fast, boogie boarding and dressing up in high heels. She can use a hammer, a saw, knows wrenches and how to use a drill press. Best of all: she can't wait to jump out of an airplane and to fly my ultra-light. Really, shouldn't we all be able to do the stuff attributed to men as described here? I can't claim ownership of the following but this is pretty much how I look at life: "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, con a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." Robert A. Heinlein [Notebook of Lazarus Long] Get the idea? Guru312 Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Now that's what I call a good sys-op! Thanks for the quick reply and references. I'm studying the material. Here comes a virtual beer --------->B E E R Thanks! guru312 Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Greetings! Thanks so much to whoever wrote the code behind this website. I've been on the Internet for about 15 years and I've never seen anything that I like as much as this. I am working on a site for a local elementary school where my daughter is in 6th grade. We would like something like the DropZone.com system. I'm a programmer so I'm willing to tackle the process of modification to accomodate the students, teachers and staff at the school. Can anyone tell me where it can be acquired? Email reply is OK but I'll be checking this forum everytime I visit this site. Thanks! Bernie Sayers/// Guru312@DropZone.com Sayers@AICommand.com Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

This subject thread and comments is great. A wonderful learning experience for us all. From the facts presented by DD and the references to FARs it seems evident to me the pilot is at fault. Never the less, allow me to relate an experience I had *many* years ago when I had 1500 hours flying jumpers. Probably 25 years ago. I was flying jumpers at Pelicanland in Maryland. I had a committment to fly a jumper who was jumping into Veteran's Stadium in Philadelphia with the ball for the first day of the Phillies season. Pelicanland is probably 75 miles or more from Philadelphia. All the paperwork for the jump had been filed. I contacted PHL ATC at least 50 miles out. Since the plan was to pick up the jumper at the General Aviation Terminal I also talked to the tower and landed at PHL. 20 minutes after landing I took off from PHL and circled to altitude, all fully under ATC and tower control. I was working both on two radios and I was squawking the provided ID on the transponder. We climbed to altitude over the airport. ATC held all traffic for the actual jump. The stadium was about 2 miles from the airport. My flying part of the jump went without a hitch...except the jumper totally missed the stadium due to the circulating winds and landed in the parking lot. No safety issue. No near miss as DD described. Wonderful coordination with the FAA regarding approving the jump...which was was one of the first into a downtown stadium...and obviously a great working relationship with ATC and the tower. BUT...I very nearly lost my ticket over the incident. A very high-up FAA beaureaucrat was in the stadium and filed multiple complaints with whomever. EVERYONE involved was interrogated about the incident: ATC, tower personnel and whoever gave the final approval. Hopefully, the incident DD describes is investigated fully and appropriate action is taken. In my case, I was pissed for a long time because of the hassle I went through over the jump. And we did everything by the books. Never the less, it is the pilot's responsibility to fly by the rules. It doesn't seem like the pilot DD described did that. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

If this has been posted to a DropZone forum please excuse me but this is just too funny. An airshow in Michigan will be featuring the pilot of the plane that dropped the A-bomb on Japan and a demo parachute team of Elvis impersonsonators. The article reads: "Also appearing at this year's show are a group of skydiving Elvis impersonators called the "E-Team," Now that's creative: A-bombs and Elvis. See the full article here: http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1088003819152020.xml Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

http://www.aicommand.com/SpecOps1.htm Guru312 I am not DB Cooper

Good question. I ask myself that question almost daily. I was in the 82nd Airborne Division. I made my first skydive with the XVIII Airborne Corp club in 1960. I've owned three DZs in two states. I got my Instructors rating at the first ICC on the East Coast at Pelicanland. I have a senior rigger's license. I have a commercial ticket and 2000 hours flying jumpers. I taught thousands of folks to enjoy the greatest sport in the world. I hold the world record for parachuting night pukes. No one has gotten sick while jumping out of an airplane at night as often as I have. http://aicommand.com/PukeDuke.htm I visit DropZone.com a couple times a week. I've been to every Herd boogie since it began. I think like a skydiver. All my close friends are skydivers. I can't relate to 'normal' people; I don't want to relate to normal people. I believe that skydiving is a state of mind; it's an attitude; it's a world-view; it's a perspective on living life to the fullest. But am I a skydiver? No. I used to be a skydiver. Now I'm just an old guy with a bunch of neat stories, pictures and wonderful memories. I'm an ex-skydiver who thinks this year will be the year I get back into jumping. I'm an ex-skydiver with tears in his eyes. You all are so lucky. Guru312 I am not DB Cooper