lifewithoutanet

Yeah, I see what you're saying and never got the impression you wanted them "involved" in BASE. I'd just prefer they not branch into anything beyond actual skydiving from actual airplanes. Where we differ is I think it's a good thing that they don't acknowledge BASE and I'd prefer they keep their distance from GLing. Let Skydiving Magazine handle non-skydiving reporting...they're not involved w/ the FAA like USPA is and shit, does Parachutist suffer subscription losses because of what they cover or ignore? No, we get the mag w/ our membership whether we want it or not. My fear: Compare two organizations: USHGA (US Han Gliding Association) and USPA. Due to the classification of paragliders/hang gliders as ultralights, the FAA has little to say about them with regards to the two sports. Because of the use of aircraft in skydiving, however, the FAA is all up in our grill and has the USPA to help "self-regulate". If the USPA (over time) takes a more significant interest in GLing, the feds could draw a line between skydiving and other air sports, even if on the bullshit grounds that GL pilots use "skydiving" canopies. If they do, who will they go to but to the organization they deal with most in canopy-driven sports? Just because I'm paranoid about what could happen doesn't mean it won't. -C. Edit: Typos

I'd prefer the USPA stick to exactly what they're chartered for: skydiving and skydiving ONLY. I can see the connections w/ GLing which you state w/ "canopy control training", but ultimately, we're talking about an in-tight-with-the-Feds organization that's not qualified to govern or regulate BASE by any stretch. Even their association with GLing has me concerned. The USPA's publicizing of GLing may just be the bridge that takes the FAA into other air sports like paragliding and hangliding. Who wants that? Outside of jumping from an aircraft, keep your laws/policies/certifications/ratings off of my canopies and containers. -C.

Matt, Excellent time indeed. I was incredibly impressed hearing what you guys have done over the years that lead you to this system. The rigging on this is SOLID and I was happy to huck without reservation. The groundrush is INSANE and I can't wait to jump another system. I'm happy to help out in whatever way necessary, too. Cya back in CO soon. -C.

She is due January 16th. Don't try and persuade yourselves otherwise, Cheri and Tom. -C.

It was more a comparison of the teaming thousands of complete idiots on the road to the small handful of people you've placed significant trust in on a load. -C.

With a motorcycle, worry about every idiot on the road; with BASE, every idiot on the load. -C.

Lemme tell you...those girls were tired after a week of non-stop shooting. -C.

Having GC there could have been a good thing for you. If no one saw you climbing and phoned it in (as you're saying wasn't the case), then the cop has their 'suspect' on the ground already. Depending on the town, though, the cop could have had IR or NV on you and picked you out. That could sound far-fetched, but it's showing up more and more these days. In any case, GC is useful for more than just when the shit REALLY goes bad. Otherwise, I think what you did is the right thing. Walk up and make that cop your friend. Get them to laugh and you're golden. If you did get phoned in like that...well, that's just plain fvcked and I'd be just as pissed as you are. -C.

And whenever you jump alone, the fannypack comes back empty. I think I know why you're limping. -C.

I for one am interested, but I've been waiting to put one together until I had some better training and could figure out what I want to carry. -C.

Here's what I have. It ain't cheap, but neither are the alternatives. Stretcher Trauma Bag Head Immobilizer -C.

Awesome news, Jimmy. Thanks for the update and for being such a great ambassador for us in Moab. -C.

We'd take you more if you weren't such a whiny crybaby about 'sleep'. -C.

Don't forget that we take you, too, and you're kind of crippled at the moment. Take that into consideration w/ recent events and I'd say that cripples are good karma. -C.

I think it's definitely a good idea. I have a trauma bag, head immobilizer and collapsible stretcher. I haven't been carrying them on urban jumps because if the shit is really that bad, I'm calling in the pros for any severely injured member of my crew. I'll probably start carrying it at all times now that I think about it. Otherwise, I bring it to Twin (keep it on the boat when Don's out) and it will be in my car in Moab for the T-Boogie. What I do lack is the formal training to use it all. I've gotten some basic training from EMT/P friends and just have to find the time to take a proper course. Work's a bitch. -C. Edit for clarity.

You had me at "Beaver". -C.

Been climbing since I was 14, although I've made gotten in maybe three climbing trips in the past two years since I moved to CA. The gym just doesn't do it for me. I prefer trad. In any case, skydiving and BASE basically took over. That'll change real soon. -C.

Ah...that was due to the black rubber band you had larksheaded around your tailgate, then twisted and stowed around your canopy (a la lineover) into your bridle attachment point. Those damn things are STRONG. Were there any other contributing factors to the self-destruction of your Viper? Age/# of jumps? Not questioning you or doubting your knowledge one bit, just wondering how this could have happened. Any thoughts? -C.

Might they be operating in some further bureaucratic loophole that says the permit request isn't truly official until the check has cleared? -C.

This isn't specific to your question, but I think there's a lot of good info in what follows that could be applied contextually to what you're asking. I got the following from some Emails I exchanged w/ Martin Tilley at Asylum regarding strengths of different points of a canopy and am reprinting with his permission. Credit goes to: Martin Tilley- Asylum Designs / Adam Filippino- Consolidated Rigging Hope this helps. Even if it doesn't, it's still some really good info to have. -C.

Has the check cleared? -C.

I agree with you wholeheartedly on the black bands. Not so sure about the larkshead. I think the important factor was how the band was twisted and wrapped around the tailgate. From the video, you see that the other end of the tailgate is inserted into the rubber band, then a twist, and that wrap is then pulled over the other end and pushed down the tailgate, towards the line, past the larkshead and first wrap. By inserting the other end of the tailgate into the rubber band, then doing the wrap, you've completely constrained that other side of the tailgate in its own wrap of the band. By going AROUND the other side of the tailgate, then doing the twist and wrap, the other side of the tailgate is not so tightly constrained. Sorry if my explanation is a little murky. I'll try and sketch something out and post it later to clarify. -C.

So, it looks like the last wrap was pushed up the tailgate, towards the fingertrap on the line and then bound/hung up on the first wrap and didn't clear. Sound about right? -C.

Mind sharing those details? -C.

If I remember correctly, I think there were 5 or 6 of us pairs of twins. -C.