jonstark

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Everything posted by jonstark

  1. jonstark
    We've asked the townspeople to suggest what they might like to see. Overwhelming majority want a "general store". Second is a gym and third is what I call a "barcade"... Pool table, jukebox, pinball, darts, beer, coffee, sofas and pub grub. Local hangout. Easy to get going and just as easily shut down when better idea arises. Hope to start with 2400 sq ft at street level. Handicapped access and bathrooms are the biggest anticipated hurdles when we want to move up to using the next floor. Attached photo taken in 1952. Another building is attached to the rear. Started as grain storage in 1856 then built up as a house with 20 rooms around 1900. Jon
  2. jonstark
    Just bought a 6800 square foot commercial building in our village. No idea what to do with it but couldn't pass up the opportunity. Originally built in 1837 and changed over the years to accommodate all kinds of businesses. Have started to demo for remodeling and uncovering some cool old construction as well as challenges. Headed out to my airstrip to clear some tall pines for a better approach. It was -9 here this morning. Need to finish building my KitFox by the end of mud season. And the list goes on... Life is good. Busy but good! Jon
  3. jonstark
    Made you feel good didn't it?
  4. jonstark
    That's sad. I used to fly into Cal City just to see Van and shoot the shit about jumpships and the skydiving biz. We flew a few times so he could show off the performance of whatever mod he had most recently incorporated. He was generous with knowledge and infectious in his enthusiasm. Smooth skies and tailwinds Van. Jon
  5. jonstark
    Peanut butter
  6. jonstark
    "Torque" is when your heels come up off the floor as you try to push your morning wood down to pee. Jon
  7. jonstark
    Austrailian AD #37 is to address cables manufactured with specific types of stainless steel fittings swaged to the ends. There have been a FEW failures of the cable ends where they cracked and let go of the cable swaged within. Ugly situation but very rare. I believe there have been failures of the threaded "shaft" as well that were discovered with the safety wire being the only thing holding the control cable together. Don't you wish there was a good use for all those perfectly good cables we've retired over the years? Jon
  8. jonstark
    Seems to me that compliance is for YOUR safety as much as the officers'. Needing to subdue or restrain someone being questioned may appear aggressive but it's for everyone's safety and best interest. Now, try to get that concept across to militant bystanders while being heckled and provoked. Jon
  9. jonstark
    ANY DZ that doesn't maintain their aircraft to very high standards has no business being in this business!!! Jon
  10. jonstark
    Skydive Ratings at Skydive City in Zephyrhills, FL.
  11. jonstark
    Don't feel bad and don't be embarrassed. Another thing to remember is to reintroduce yourself even when there is the initial recognition. I consider it a courtesy to help someone out who might be struggling to recall my name even if just by giving them my first name. I've been at it long enough that most of my old friends don't look anything near like they did in our heyday. We're shorter, greyer and can't hear shit but damn we were good! Jon
  12. jonstark
    This information is only available when the aircraft in question is using air traffic services or when under ATC control. An aircraft out sightseeing or just exercising the privilege of flight will NOT show up on FlightAware or similar. Jon Edit to add... When ADSB becomes mandatory more of the aircraft will be "trackable" but still not all. There will be a number of aircraft flying outside or under where ADSB is required who will not show up.
  13. jonstark
    That's silly that they don't want to insure your parachute because of the skydiving risk. You're looking for theft coverage on a few pieces of sporting goods. Jon
  14. jonstark
    Went there in 1980 Billy. Got the willys but had been BASE jumping by then so no phobic screams inside my head. Now, had there been snakes on the otherhand... Me and Indiana Jones. Jon
  15. jonstark
    Been scared to Death of snakes for as long as I can recall. I call that a phobia. Can't get over it and don't see any reason to. Used to be really afraid of grated walkways as a kid. Would dream that I was more comfortable edging my way along the outside of a railing rather than walk across a crated bridge. No longer as afraid but still recall the panic today when walking over grates on city sidewalks. Jon
  16. jonstark
    Found a JVC HA-W600RF-J/C setup. It's the exact thing I was looking for. Cost $90. Light, comfortable, NOT noise cancelling or soundproof so I can hear conversation (or at least when someone is trying to get my attention). Sound quality as good as my ears can hear. What a relief! Ahhh... Jon
  17. jonstark
    Hey Billy, Have had a strong aid in one ear for years with only fair acuity. Other ear failing so will be using two soon. Hoping to find some wireless, over the ear, bluetooth headphones with a transmitter for the TV. For now will try tv output to the stereo and headphones plugged into that so I have my own volume to control while being able to leave the tv vol low for my wife's comfort. Jon
  18. jonstark
    Found TV Ears. Looking for more options.
  19. jonstark
    I find it more and more difficult to hear the TV without having to raise the volume to levels which are uncomfortable for the rest of the family. Hooked the sound output to the stereo but it doesn't respond to volume controller for TV. Using the headset jack cuts off the TV speakers. Can someone suggest a Bluetooth headset and transmitter? Striking out searching. I guess I don't know what to look for. Thx Jon
  20. jonstark
    That's gonna be interesting to sell to the Feds. What's your mechanic say? jon
  21. jonstark
    It's OK to be a little nervous. Keeps you on your toes. As said, get the brief, familiarize yourself with the air to ground picture of the DZ, landing areas and patterns then keep your ears and eyes open. There's a lot going on in the air as well as on the ground. You'll love Deland! Great community before, during and after hours. Really fun people, great aircraft, lots of help if you ask. jon
  22. jonstark
    The field approval process is alive but barely hanging on by a thread. Inspectors are in fact more and more reluctant to stick their individual necks out to approve data for aircraft modification and have been adding more and more excuses for their inaction. Theyll tell you that there is an existing STC so they cant touch your mod. Theyll say they dont have the expertise or even the time. Neither of these excuses are acctable per their own guidance. It has been taking some difficult wrangling and sometimes FSDO "shopping" to get jump doors, steps, etc approved in recent years even with literally hundreds of flying examples and copies of previous field approvals. The inspectors are evaluated by the number of on-site inspections of maintenance facilities, flight schools, repair stations that they do. Field approvals carry no "points" for their performance reviews and are increasingly looked at as a risky waste of their time. Jon
  23. jonstark
    I am not making those chemicals up. I may not have it all correct because it has been 29 years since I worked on the Shuttle and my memory is a very convincing lier. I was on the Shuttle recovery and processing team in the eighties. There is some bad shit when they land! Jon
  24. jonstark
    The hydraulic pumps are powered by monomethyl hydroxene and nitrogen tetroxide. Run the mmh thru a catalist and it gasses off violently but the escaping gas is run past a turbine to spin the pumps. The the reaction control systems are run with hypergallic fuels which are deadly. Bad gasses around these vehicles when they land. Look for an orange exhaust plume. Jon
  25. jonstark
    Derek Thomas was in your left hand and Connie Simpson had his right foot. Jon