skydived19006

I've been walking for close to 26 years and driving a car close to 10... never got hurt before until first tandem skydiving... and I've done a lot of walking and a heck of a lot more driving than most people. Skydiving safer than driving a car or crossing the street? Not for me it sure wasn't.. That statistic doesn't even seem logical. If everyone who was capable of crossing a street or driving a car were also compelled to skydive (which would be ending up like a majority of the population) we'd see death statistics left and right and the sport would be shutdown in less than a year. It would be interesting to compare AFF student vs driving school student injury/accident/death statistics... From a percentage standpoint I'm certain far fewer people got killed learning to walk across a street than skydiving. Your logic goes south when you indicate that skydiving would be shut down if more folks participated. Lots of people go play in the water, and every single holiday weekend in Kansas people die at the lake (I'm sure this is true of every state where folks boat and swim). By your logic, boating, swimming, and fishing would be shut down due to the obvious danger. Ironically, people let their small children boat, swim, and fish. Commercial fisherman is the most deadly occupation in the US, why do we allow people to fish?!?!?! The reason is is a combination of perception, and bull shit. There's lots of BS contained in my, and other posts above this one. I think that surely we can all agree on that point! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

People usually underestimate the danger of any activity they are involved in. It’s called a “mental defense mechanism”. Sparky And conversely, those who aren't involved tend to overestimate the danger involved. It's called a "pussy defense mechanism?" Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I may have said this before, but 60 hours to install the Wing-X extensions is a bullshit number, or damn poor mechanics doing the work. A couple of good A&P sheet metal guys should easily be able to do it in an 8 hour day, so 30 hours would be almost double. Also, adding drag in descent is a good thing. The more drag you have, the steeper you can descend without exceeding VNE. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

A large part of the problem with the people who have the information posting, they're reticent to speak publicly due to potential law suits. My experience has been that as soon as real information is posted, it stops all the conjecture. Relative to the resent incident at my DZ, I posted verbatim what I sent to USPA. After that post, there were one or two "thanks for the info" posts, but otherwise the string stopped. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I do not have a STOL kit, logically it should add to the lift. I'd have to purchase another Wing-X kit to install STOL cuffs now, likely not going to happen. With the short gear on my 182D, 82" is pretty much as long as I could go, don't know that I'd want/need more anyway. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I have the hartzell 82in super simitar on my 182D, it went on with the new Texas Skyways O520U/TS engine. Also have the Wing-X STC. Flying out of 1350, in winter we make it to 10,000 in 13 to 14 minutes. Summer climb times are more like 17 to 18 minutes. Possibly of some interest, I own two 182Ds, N8882X, and N8884X. 82X is the jump plane with the 520, 84X is in standard configuration with 470, seats, etc. I took off the other day in 84X right behind 82X going up with jumpers. I was light in 84X, just pilot and light fuel. I was keeping up with the jump plane, but it was a tight race. I stayed with them to 6500 msl, then went back down. So anecdotally, with the upgrade (520, three blade, and Wing-X) you'll climb at 2900 lbs as if you were loaded to 2000 lbs in a standard configuration bird. Another plus is that you'll likely burn less fuel. We're running around 6 gal per load. Obviously burning at a higher rate, but for considerably less time. Or as I figure, every bit of additional power and fuel burn rate goes to the "up." Edit to add the picture Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

They pinged when they should have ponged? Ping Pong must be a contact sport in Germany. Either that, or there as some awful sore losers there. http://www.buzzfeed.com/provincialelitist/hardcore-ping-pong-death-match-4t5 Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I enjoy telling folks that skydiving is safer than fishing. Around 3000 folks die in the US every year by drowning, which I conveniently classify as "fishing" deaths. I generally will give a disclaimer regarding the number of participants. Seriously, people do tend to underestimate the danger involved with water, and especially if the water is cold. Maybe somewhat obvious since 3000 folks die each year in this country. Even in Kansas, people die every Memorial, Independence, and Labor Day weekend in drowning accidents. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

His response was something like "Oh, I'm ok with it." Said he had made 30 jumps on it already. Said he "knew the risks". It was explained to him that the fact that he was 2:1 on a Velo at less than 300 jumps clearly meant that he either didn't understand the risks or simply didn't care. His overall attitude was that of the bulletproof type. He wasn't a smart ass or rude, just bulletproof. Acted like he had heard it all before (which he probably had) and that everyone around him just didn't understand his mad skillz. Unskilled, low skilled, low time folks overestimating their competence is not unique to skydiving. I have something around 4000 skydives and I lean toward conservative. Things scare me now that wouldn't have at 800 jumps. It occurred to me that I'm in the opposite end of the spectrum as a 100 hour pilot. I don't know enough to know what I don't know,... yet!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect The Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which unskilled individuals suffer from illusory superiority, mistakenly rating their ability much higher than average. This bias is attributed to a metacognitive inability of the unskilled to recognize their mistakes. This ties in with my current signature line. "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" Chuck Darwin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Not in reply to anyone specific, and I didn't read through every post (half maybe). I've been a Tandem IE for a couple of years now. A bit of a paradox I ran into is when I certify someone who I wouldn't personally allow to work at my DZ. I know, many of you have an immediate reaction that I'm remiss in signing them off in the first place. The training is pretty specific, the candidates are required to have specific experience, and the ability to complete specific tasks. There's no blank for me to sign off that I know this person well enough to say that I trust his judgement, etc. And judgement and/or attitude is generally my primary issue, not jump numbers or skill level. For instance, I had a TI pass through the area who I allowed to do tandems on a few weekday evenings. I noticed that he was deploying below 5,000', I'd estimate more like 4,000'. I told him matter of fact that I wanted him to deploy at 5,500 for consistency among TIs on my DZ. I didn't need to argue beyond that, my house, my rules. He didn't have issue with it at all, said "Ok, no problem.". On the next jump I exited after him and was under a main canopy at 5,000' with him once again way below me. That was the last tandem he ever did, or ever will do on my DZ. I'd have had more respect for him if he'd have refused to my face to abide by my request, the outcome would have been the same, other than he'd have one less jump at ACDZ. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

The USPA wants to keep the medical requirement in order to keep those who have lost their medical for alcohol, or drugs to not be allowed to do tandems. Obviously, this does not keep many instructors from drinking and smoking pot, ect, only those who've had enforcement action by a law enforcement agency. That shit is really more well placed on the DZO's back. I as DZO can and will keep my instructors from being "dirty" and jumping. They don't have to be saints, but damn sure better not show up to work hung over, etc. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I tried it once years ago. I learned a couple of things, one wear long pants and long sleeves. Two, don't do that again regardless of clothing. Here's an interesting one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFtCwvZaDB4 Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I've sold them for $50 in the past. I think that for the amount of fabric that $100 wouldn't be unreasonable. If selling as an airworthy Manta or similar then depending on the canopy $300 +/-. The thing is, they're all airworthy, just not much market for old F111 student canopies. I have four or five decorating the interior of the DZ hanger. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

What's the value of a "shade canopy". I get calls every so often for a shade, or play canopy. I have a few F111 canopies that I've taken out of service, not necessarily un-airworthy, just out of service and little value as a serviceable canopy. Thoughts? Martin Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

In my opinion, the waiver video helps to cover your ass, and the DZO along with the rig manufacturer. It wouldn't hurt to show the RWS video when using Strong gear. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Just found this thread doing an unrelated search. Nice history Hookitt, thanks. In 1999 another skydiver and I bought an Eclipse tandem rig, and flew Shoobi out Kansas to train us. I've since acquired four more, all but one were virtually new, two from Shoobi out of his closet, one recently from Jay Stokes out of his closet. Anyway, they've been good rigs, and I see them going for another 10 years (500 tandems a year spread out on 5 rigs). I enjoyed meeting and training with Shoobi, and have touched base with him every couple/few years since. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

That's when you need the 250 SF mains, or the ability to take em two at a time! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

zero in 3000. Getting the student to push their butt back and sit in the harness makes a world of difference. Another guy on the DZ has had a few, but he generally doesn't bother with reminding the student to "sit" in the harness. Good modern harness make a huge difference as well. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Apparently, I'm not very perceptive. I have around 3000 tandems, and if any of my students experienced sexual fulfillment while under my expert service, I didn't know it. The closest I come though is a girl who upon landing exclaimed very loudly "I need to fuck now!" to which I replied "I'll have to touch base with my wife on that." Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

If you're flying canopies that are packed with no break settings, then you're open in line twists in full flight. Especially with heavy students, the speed will cause you to "wind vain". If everybody "stands up" you'll eliminate the wind vane affect, also you can stick an arm/leg out to drag you around and out of twists, alternating arm/legs as you go round. Really though, simply eliminating the wind vane problem will get you untwisting nicely with no other input. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Well, obviously I tell that story with the appropriate level of sarcastic humor. Isaiah McCauliffe was at the DZ when he was with PD for a boogie a few years back. My buddy Mark asked him for stories from his travels, demoing canopies, etc. Isaiah told us, among other things, that a guy once accused him of packing a bad landing. Apparently the guy was 100% serious! I'd guess that guy has killed himself by now, if not skydiving then something else, hopefully there was good video! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

3000 tandems, all on Icarus 330 and 365 canopies. One malfunction on a 330, the two center A/B lines broke below the cascade point. I couldn't see what was going on with the slider above my head. It would fly in deep breaks, but let the toggles up and the front corners would come together. I've twice had a drogue bridle get a hitch, and grab the edge of the drogue. In both instances I could tell we were getting no drag from the drogue, so deployed around 8,000' with a very slow opening. On one you could see in the hand cam vid that the bag came up and almost bumped me on the head. After thinking about it, and analyzing the situation, I came to the conclusion that both were a result of tossing the drogue into the burble, either somewhat on our side, lazy drogue throw, or combination of both. One I half blame on the pilot. I know your immediate reaction is 'how could the pilot be to blame'. We were working around clouds, I advised that the spot wasn't really critical, just get me in the neighborhood. He had me so close to a cloud that half way over in the flip I was in white, no horizon, and apparently was left side low when I tossed. I obviously could have asked for corrections, and learned a lesson that day! Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

I wouldn't do this, but I'm not you. You could just show up to work one morning naked with an assault riffle. The no gun crowd will often ask why anyone would ever need an assault riffle. Simple, in case I need to assault someone! Reminds me of this: "When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher's knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross!" Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to learn them all yourself! Applies to a lot more than skydiving. Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ

(time for a bump) My wife and I saw the movie last night. It was marketable better than the Swedish version, well worth the time. There were a couple of changes, but that's to be expected. Rooney IMO was excellent as Lisbeth, not "to pretty" or whatever negative expectations I've heard about her in the roll. Daniel Craig and Robin Wright were good for their respective rolls as well. One thing that I did find annoying, was that Craig hangs his classes when not in use from one ear below his chin. Never in my life have I seen anyone do that, but maybe it's a "Swedish thing?" I've read the books, and seen the Swedish movies, so I'm curious what those who've never been exposed to the stories will like it. Like the book, the first hour or so is slow to be the story going. I like the 2nd and 3rd books better than the first, they're actually about "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else. AC DZ