JerryBaumchen

Sparky, NOPE: that does not have the 'sliding gate' that Rob mentions. The Navy speed link used one little screw and, the now famous, sliding gate. If I knew how to use a computer I would post a photo. Jerry

Oh come on, Rob. That would make a great project for a new, eager rigger. Where else can they get that kind of experience? I mean you could send them off with that canopy and never see them again until they were old. Jerry

Hi Mark, As I remember it, the top & bottom material had the fibers at the normal 90 degrees. The rib(s) had the fibers aligned somewhat in the direction of the stresses. Also, where the line attachment tapes were at, he had a 2nd layer of fabric that was 'about' 2 x 3 inches or so. Jerry PS) Dan, where are you when we need you?

Hi chuck, I believe that the Cobalt in JAX was not welded in the seams. The fabric was a 'weldment' process where the threads were oriented such to eliminate the 'V' tapes on the ribs. These threads were then bonded between two layers of fabric. The seams were sewn; or my eyes are going bad. Jerry

Reminds me of a number of years ago when a female reporter was interviewing former actor Ricardo Mantalban. During the interview he said to his wife Esther Williams, 'Go get me a beer.' The aghast reporter said to him, 'Why don't go get it yourself?' Which he replied, "If I wanted to get it myself why would I have gotten married?' Now, I am not advocating this; just something I read. Jerry

Hey Dave, Say HI to Hannigan for me. Jerry

I was in that situation; bought an expensive car. Jerry

All but: Arkansas Maine New Hampshire Vermont Mass. Conneticut Rhode Island Where's my suitcase? Jerry

Hi Bob, Only on your side of the equator. Besides, what do you know about 'miles' since you're in the metric system? Jerry

OK, that was a worthless response. Let's try again: YMMV = Your Methods May Vary Damn, its terrible getting old. Jerry

Hi Matt, Well put. Yup, I'm an engineer. Jerry

Hi Tim, All my personal rigs have been pull-outs; back in '78 over Elsinore I decided to hang onto the PC (handle at the base of the PC) and found I could hang on easily; but it did put me vertical. My recollection is that I held it for 4-5 seconds. Just my experience, yours seems to be different, Jerry

***Wow this is complicated Survival of the fittest. Jerry

***P.S.: katzurki - what's YMMV? OK? Jerry

Hi perckerhead, QuoteYour attitude changes with age. Funny how that happens. I joined the service at 19, came home at 23; my dad got smart while I was gone. Jerry

Back in the late '60's a guy was sitting transverse to the line of flight, behind the pilot in a C-180. The left rear window was out of the airplane. The guy was jumping a piggyback rig and his reserve pilot chute inadvertently went out that little window, he 'quickly' followed. If something gets out of the aircraft, it is very serious. Jerry

Hi Mark. QuoteAs long as we're on theological arguments, should Slinks be wrapped clockwise or counter-clockwise, and does it change based on left-right or front-back? Looks like a presentation you could do at the next Symposium in Reno??????? Jerry

Well, there goes that Grey Goose. Jerry

When I first visited DeLand 15 yrs ago it was a sleepy little burg in the middle of nowhere. I was there 4 months ago & as I drove around I noticed a lot of construction taking place; both commercial & residential. That noise of construction is music to the ears of the City Council and the Swan Song to the skydivers. As a jumping buddy said back in the 60's, 'Progress is a dirty word.' Jerry

Hi FlyinDawg, I spent about 3 yrs jumping without goggles (all types of jumps, most at altitude). The only problems I had were that at the end of the day my eyes were dry and slightly irritated. I finally got tired of the dryness & irritation and went back to goggles. However, that may contribute to why I now wear bifocals. Given the choice, I would recommend wearing goggles. Jerry

If I recall correctly the 'stock' colors were that one, a solid black, a blue w/black trim & a red w/black trim. Am I right? Jerry

Terry, Send the link to Booth; he might want it. Jerry

Hi steve1, Back 'in the day' I converted my already short-lined Mk I into a Comp PC. I jumped it for a season and then changed it back into a Mk I. A lot of work but I was younger then. The Comp PC (IMO) was to get a little more forward speed & less oscillation. It has larger rear opening in it and larger/longer steering vents, if I remember. If you come to Molalla; bring it with you. Jerry PS) The gut pack offer is still good.

OK Chris, you asked, in the mid-50's (yes, I am an old fart) I was watching a tv show and this guy talked about having made a parachute jump. I thought 'I got to do that.' Early 1960, while in basic training in Texas, I see Lew Sanborn's 'A Sport Is Born' and I know I've got to try that. Late 1960 while stationed at Edwards AFB in southern California there was some scuttle going around the base about some guys making jumps. Soon thereafter the Daily Bulletin had a notice that anyone making a sport parachute jump would be court-martialed for endangering government property (us being the property in question). Little did I know at the time, there was a very active dz in the closest town to the airbase, in Lancaster, CA. Late '62 while stationed in France one of the NCO's had made a jump at Orange, MA and said that it had scared the sh!t out of him. Oh, I gotta do this. Late '63, just out of the service, ran into some guys from high school and they said and old high school buddy of mine was skydiving. WHAT! Feb '64, I'm out for my first jump; but I know that 'skydivers' are really suicidal and I am only going to make one and go one with my life. On the way to altitude, at about 500 ft I look out the hole in the side of the airplane where a door would normally be and see a graveyard; OMG, I'm gonna die. Well, as they say; the rest is history. Jerry

steve1, If you have the Ser. No. and/or the date of mfr then we could zero in on what you have. The Comp PC was the last one that really sold in the numbers. The RW PC, the Jumbo, etc were just Pioneers attempts to hold onto a declining market. They did not succeed. Just let me know when you will be in Molalla, Jerry