kkeenan
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Everything posted by kkeenan
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This sounds too good to not have a lot of stories behind it. So, start telling.
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This sounded like a strange idea when it was mentioned on another forum, but I've been thinking about it. Everyone (knowledgable) knows that it is far better to take the grass stains and bruising that may come from a downwind landing rather than try to get into the wind from a low altitude and suffer the often cataclysmic injuries that we read about too often. So, what are the thoughts on including some sort of training for newbies that includes some sort of intentional downwinder ? If folks are taught how to do it, then they may be more accepting of this alternative landing type if they get into that situation. It is completely true that people have died trying to make a landing in a direction that would only change their landing speed by a few MPH. Maybe showing them that a downwinder is do-able would ease the last-minute panic and bad decision making. Kevin Keenan _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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Intentional cutaway: advisable? accessible?
kkeenan replied to LittleOne's topic in Safety and Training
One of the manufacturers, I believe it is Strong, made a few intentional cutaway rigs for tandem master training. I'm not sure if those are loaned out for other purposes, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? -
The deployment bag should be matched to the container (the manufacturer makes bags that are sized for each container size). Sometimes, when things get replaced, a container gets a bag that may work OK, but not be the right bag. Then, if a larger canopy pushes that bag to its limit, the bag becomes too tight in the pack tray. Most rigs are designed so that the bag is "gripped" by the lower corners, causing the bag to leave the pack tray with the grommet facing upward, rather than just floating out when the flaps open. It sounds like yours is gripping the bottom too tightly. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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We went to Sebastian for CRW practice, and got to watch the beautiful STS-115 launch as we built a 4-way formation. We could see it all the way to the SRB separation. Way cool. Of the four of us, three work at KSC, so it was quite nice for us. I'm in the middle of the Space Station program, and I can tell you that we are all stoked to get this mission in the air. People have been working literally years to get everything ready for what will happen in the next several days up there. It takes a big team of really talented people to put it all together everytime a shuttle flies, and another big team to build and operate the Space Station. It's a very cool thing to be involved with. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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I do know some who could be all 4 without a costume. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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Sorry, guys, but it's a scrub for today. The launch is being rescheduled for tomorrow. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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The hatch is now closed and the crew is performing the cabin pressurization / leak check. The Closeout Team is cleaning up their stuff and getting ready to leave the pad. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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That's BS. The ECO sensors have redundant backups, and it looks like the Mission Mgmt. Team is going to clear them to fly. The crew is all in their seats and doing their radio checks. The Closeout Team is starting their work of removing the ground equipment from the cabin. It's a stunningly beautiful morning. Woo Hoo. We're about 1:15 till liftoff.
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It's a beautiful morning here. The Final Inspection Team is out at the pad checking everything over. The vehicle is fueled, and the vapor from liquid oxygen and hydrogen is floating all around like fog. The crew will be leaving for the pad in a few minutes, so I'm going over to watch that. See ya. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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A crappy way to have to spend your birthday, but you're getting better, and that's what counts. Happy Birthday and Get Well Soon. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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Everything is ready to go tonight for tomorrow's launch of Atlantis on the STS-115 mission. It's a little after midnight, and I just returned from looking at Pad B across the river from Titusville. There's a full moon (or close to it) and the pad is lit brightly with floodlights, making the shuttle easy to see even from a distance. The fueling is scheduled to begin about 1:00 am. I'll be going into work early to avoid the traffic. The crew will be leaving their quarters about 0830, and I work across the street from that building, so it gets hectic. Hopefully, all the variables come together tomorrow for a good launch at 1140 in the morning. Send good thoughts. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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Fired out of a big fucking cannon, like my hero, Hunter S. Thompson. kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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OK. That's the one I was thinking of. I had the two stories confused. That Kevin Gibson's a real joker. Thanks, Winsor. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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I seem to recall that there was a bit of controversy surrounding that particular exercise (I know, Roger and controversy? No way !) Rumors were Roger pulled the engine without telling anyone, many freaked out and thought they were going to die, etc. Anyone have details ?? Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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USAF, B-52 Tailgunner A hell of a cool job. Sometimes, when passing near a DZ, I would wonder how far I could track from 35,000 ft. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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That may be, but I am more willing to trust a manufacturer who makes a couple of administrative errors than one whose unit potentially fires me out the door of an airplane unannounced. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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Slinks, can someone give me some information on them?
kkeenan replied to FlyingJarhead's topic in Gear and Rigging
What maintenance is needed on Slinks ? Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? -
That's what I mean. Use old Sears coveralls and all the radios it takes. If you can keep from getting hurt long enough to learn it, then you'll be good to go. kk _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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A clean jumpsuit beats pride any day. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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Do some more solo jumps and just practice relaxation and heading control. Once you have a few more jumps, you won't be as nervous. Your main task should be making a lot of routine jumps and practice being safe and getting down in one piece. As long as you can keep flying safely and landing safely, then you can continue learning. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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I tell them that I'd really rather that they not try it, because I have to wait in line to get on a load as it is, so we sure don't need any more new people showing up. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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Just don't go to church with that Tom Cruise guy. You may never be seen again... _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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It's a very good idea to mark your risers for Left and Right. I change out canopies a lot, and this has always worked for me. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?
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No, it's not. If you look for the handle because of a spun-up opening on a fast canopy, and at that point realize it's missing, then you're dealing with this "inconvenience" while pulling several g's, spinning on your back. All this before you can even begin your EP. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?