kkeenan

Recent events have led to a lot of thinking in our little CRW family. I feel that this is a very good thing. Sometimes you don't appreciate something, or someone, until that thing or person is lost, or almost lost. That's how I have felt, anyway. I'm ever-appreciative of this group that I am lucky enough to belong to. In a special group of humans (skydivers) I think that the CRW folks are extra special, not only for who they are individually, but for the sense of family that we share. I have a deep respect and love for you all, which has been strengthened and reinforced greatly this week. I wrote a short question on one of the DZ.com forums, because it is read by a huge number of fellow jumpers of all sorts. I think that the responses have been very interesting and have helped me to put this week's events into perspective. I've always felt that the more data one has to consider, the closer is is possible to come to a complete understanding. Of course, I don't pretend to think that a situation like this is possible to understand completely. Physical problems like spaceflight and canopy formation building are possible to solve, given enough time and brainpower. However, philosophical and emotional questions, are things that one can only hope to work toward more - not complete - understanding. Anyway, the thread in in the "Bonfire" forum at http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=1979711 Blue Skies, Kevin Keenan _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

I appreciate all of the responses to this thread. I was hoping for some thoughtful and honest insight from a wide cross-section of people whose opinions I value - fellow jumpers. I have a good friend who recently faced this situation. Thankfully, this friend is still with us, but a lot of folks, in the skydiving community to which this friend belongs, have been thrown into disarray by the event. We are trying to support our friend and to come to grips with the problems that let this person down this particular path. There are members of this community who may not regularly read DZ.com. I will try to point them to this thread so that they, too, may profit from the time, caring, and intelligence (for the most part) shown by all of you who have responded. Thank you again for help that may be given to this friend and to others by the sharing of your time and thoughts. Kevin Keenan _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

This is a purely hypothetical question, so don't anyone break down my door and put me in a straightjacket. I'm interested to hear what folks here think of this - Is it possible to make a rational decision to end one's life, or is that, by definition, an irrational decision thus requiring the person to be restrained from any action ? Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Since I've been doing CRW, I've seen more reserves used in more weird circumstances than I could've imagined. All have worked fine. I realize that doesn't change the statistical chance of a malfunction, but in my mind, it has made the possibility more remote. The only reserve deployment problems I've seen were caused by the jumper interferring with the deployment. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Dear CRWDogs, Today was an "off" day in all of my events, and that was a blessing. 9 jumps yesterday was a lot. (I think it was the 9 pack jobs that was worse). Anyway, today was my day to bask in the resort-like ambience of Perris. Aside from it being in an area most closely compared to the desert planet in "Dune", it is one cool facility. It's a real skydiving resort. The weather is perfect, the pool is great, the skydiving is ass-kicking, and every major dude / dudette in the skydiving world is hanging around. We just came back from the Tunnel, where we watched the "Black Knights", the 4-way team who will be flying the 4-way RW competition on their backs. They're really good, and watching them was a hoot. 2-way CRW was the only CF thing going today (of course, that included a precision 2-way landing / dance routine performed by the U. S .Team.) There were about 10 teams, with all of them improving points with each round. I don'y remember the final standings, but then again, this was my day off. The vidiots were the stars of today, though. Some of them were shooting for two teams, and made about 10 jumps. Thet's enough for anyone, but when you throw in bad spots and the survival school-type landscape of this place, it makes for a hell of a challenge. Well, it's late, and my stuff cranks up again tomorrow. You know, this competition flying makes you work so much that you feel like you improve by light years by the time the comp. is over. That's when you think, "Damn, think how good I would have been it I'd actually practiced". Peace & Love from Perris, Kevin3 _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

There was a recent incident in GA in which a tandem reserve was deployed following a cutaway and after an unevetful landing, the reserve connector links fell apart because of missing screws. The tandem instructor had borrowed the rig to make the jump. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

I have a question about a practice that, while I don't think is common, may be happening at some DZs, and I'd like to hear if others have seen this. I saw, recently, several instances of turbine jump aircraft sitting with engine(s) running, with no one in the seat and no chocks under the wheels (presumably the parking brake was set). In one case, the pilot was in the rear of the a/c, and in another, he was out of the a/c on the ramp. Now, I realize that a turboprop, unlike a recip, can idle with the prop at zero pitch, thereby producing no thrust. But I was taught early in my piloting career that this practice was a very bad idea for many reasons - brakes can slip, wind or ground slope can start the a/c moving, etc. What I'm saying is that I think this is a practice that can not be defended by any reason or excuse, and that if an accident occurred, the FAA and the insurance company would find clear fault with the operator. I'm interested to know if: 1) This happens at other DZs. 2) Anyone in their right mind thinks this is OK. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Is there anyone going from LAX to Perris on Wednesday 5/11 ?? I'll be getting in about 3:30 and happy to share expenses. Kevin Keenan kkeenan@atlantic.net _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

I've been talking to some patrons of a well-known DZ which has no Safety Day activities planned. Personally, I think SD is a good idea. I've worked in the aerospace industry for some time, and have seen programs like this at places like Kennedy Space Center. It helps people focus on safety issues and is a good yearly "resetting" of values. Anyway, I'm wondering how many jumpers out there jump at USPS Group Member DZs which do not participate in the SD program. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

That is the point that many people don't understand about those numbers. The "Max. Weight" specified for certain size reserves is only what the mfg. thinks is a good wingloading for landing, not what the canopy can survive at opening. Usually, all sizes of a certain design are tested to the same maximum load. The malfunction rate and controllability at various wingloadings is certainly important, but is another issue. Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

The old Florida POPS RW record of 43 was topped on Sunday at DeLand by a beautifully-flying 54-way formation. The old farts were organized by Carl Daugherty, Cary Peck, and Tim Webb. There was much creaking of joints and adjusting of hearing aids and dentures, but the participants finished with a new record and plenty of beer at the end of the day. Kevin K. SCR 3022 _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

The Diamond Quest web site is still on the air, and has a lot of interesting stories and photos from those days. Good history. I was too young to participate then, but it's neat to see my friends there. http://www.diamondquest.org Kevin K. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Because most TV stations would consider it blasphemous to refer to CRWDogs as "Incredible Mega-Gods and Masters of the Universe". That would certainly be much more accurate, however the media avoids it for some reason. Kevin P.S. Of course, most CRW jumpers generally refer to ANYONE who jumps with Mike Goodin as a "daredevil". _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

That's a really nice video. Thanks. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

A TV show called "Hands on History" will feature Performance Designs in an episode about the Evolution of Parachutes. The show will be aired on the History Channel December 18, 2004 at 4:00 pm. Ron Hazelton, the host of the show, participated in the manufacturing process by learning how to inspect fabric, sewing reinforcement tapes and finger-trapping steering lines. After learning about the intricate process of building a parachute, his confidence was boosted and he decided to take one for a ride! Skydive Deland's staff took him on a tandem jump and he loved it! Don't miss it! It's going to be a great show! View Episode information on historychannel.com!

Our good friend Tom Plonka also shot some excellent photos at the ZHills Thanksgiving CRW event. Check out the sunset photo and the Diamond with Streamers. Tom's photos are on Bryan's site at: crwphoto.com/bry7.html listed under Mike Lewis Training Camp...Tom Plonka. For prints or video contact Tom at: thesouthpol@yahoo.com --------------------------------------- _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

The CRW jumps organized by Mike Lewis and executed by a fine group of CRWDogs on Thanksgiving weekend at ZHills were photographed by Tom Plonka and Bryan Scott. Bryan's photos are on his web site at: http://www.crwphoto.com/11_25_04WEB/index.html Bryan and Tom are some of the premier video and still photographers in skydiving today. I think we are very lucky to have them supporting so many of our CRW events. Any CRWDog should be proud to have artwork like this hanging on a wall, or to give as gifts to friends. Support our photo friends by purchasing some of their work. This is what helps pay for better editing equipment, sharper cameras, and the much-needed beer that keeps these guys going. kevin k. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

N/A

This just in from the Sport Accuracy competition in Poland.

This is so very sad. Chris was an artist in the air with a wingsuit, and was always willing to share his vast knowledge. Blue Skies, Chris. You will be missed. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

This is an unspeakable crime against the webmaster?? (from CRWMike's last post 10/30) - "Having the continuance and privacy of my email depend on the whims of one person is not appealing." It seems that one person's editorial comment is another person's kick in the crotch. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Unfortunately, our good friend CRWMike has been Banned for Life from Dropzone.com for committing unspeakable crimes against the webmaster. So, here is the updated List for the ZHills boogie: Circle up is 0800 Thursday THE LIST 1 Mike Lewis 2 Michael Fedak 3 T. LaVonne 4 Kevin Keenan 5 Shireen Thomas (W/E only) 6 Steve Weiss 7 Paul Long 8 Frank Fowler 9 Elizabeth Fowler 10 Jeni Gordon 11 Mike Trudell 12 Brian Woods 13 Mike Goodin 14 Fred Tarr 15 Mark Parmeter 16 Dave Hillebrandt 17 Bill Clement 18 Tom Balboni 19 Charlee Schneider 20 Ernie Pliscott 21 Bob Felt 22 Bryan Scott (video) 23 Robert Kid Reger 24 Tom Plonka (video) 25 Raul Ramirez 26 Dave Holmvik 27 Richard Parkin 28 Bruce Barnett 29 Derek Boxwell 30 Judy Girard 31 Chico Tomaselli 32 Vinny Watson 33 Chuck Blackwell 34 Scott Graham FENCE SITTING: Jim Bolton Valerie Long (actuarial slave) Rusty Vest

Anyone attending the Kaleidoscope RW event in Fla. have a hotel room they would care to split ? Kevin Keenan _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Having re-read your response to Bill v., I understand your point. My "twit" comment was misplaced, and I appologize. Second guessing the person who is in the harness is not really right. When someone arrives on the ground safe or even injured, that is not the time to berate them about some real or imagined mistake. I guess what I meant is that we should try to learn what can go wrong in dealing with an emergancy, and try to improve. If, in the opinion of competent folks, someone handles an emergency poorly, they should be told about it at the proper time and place so that they may improve their reactions in the future. kevin k. _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?

Well, I started when I was 19 and now, after 32 years in the sport, I've been all of those ages. Welcome to skydiving. Now, don't fuck up and get yourself killed or your mom will be really sad. Kevin _____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ?