patworks

Some 'obvious' safety imperatives are era dependent. Emotion about safety transcends time. Consider that there was a time when: - a stopwatch was considered to be the must-have instrument. You knew the exit altitude. Delays were short. We pulled low; down and dirty where the eye is The altimeter. - Audible dirt-alerts didn’t exist. Ground rush provided scenic visual dirt alerts. It is hard to ignore the ground at 1,000' . It is damn near impossible to ignore ground rush below about 700’ - Pilot chutes were not used on reserves. Period. - Some people didn't have-use chest straps. - Pulling unstable was accepted & "OK" - Reserves were hand-deployed - Cutaways were: 1st unheard of; 2nd very difficult; 3rd banned at some DZs - All accuracy was run downwind - Pea gravel was seldom seen. - "Dead Center' was a ~ 3' square at the intersection of the"+" shaped target panels. - Ground-to-air communication was via these target panels or by M60 Smoke grenades. - In some places, expert skydivers' pull altitude was 800' (for students it was 1,200'). - As a freshman on the Texas Aggie Parachute team, I thought spotting difficult and hypoxia likely with their mandated 2,500’ opening altitude. - A common accuracy technique was to hook-turn at about 40' so you'd swing-out towards the target on impact. - Parachute meets only involved style and accuracy. -- 2-3 night competition accuracy jumps were common. - FS people (RW) were just fun-jumpers and not serious parachutists to some. - Sprained ankles were common. - Some accuracy jumpers took duct-tape and scissors to accuracy competitions and changed their gore-cuts to match the winds on-site. - The word "Star" and "Formation" weren't invented until about 1964. - Doing a 3-way from 3600' at an accuracy meet got you nearly grounded and very hollered at. - Some places, the jumping interfered with drinking for some. - Turning style with a hangover is un-fun - Some Style jumpers wore like 20 lbs. of lead in their belly reservves. - RW (FS) people wore big welders gloves. - Nearly all jumpers wore Bell helmets, Cochran jump boots, and white painter's coveralls (Sears). - Few people exited above 7,200' -- ... too expensive and time consuming. A 45 second delay was a big deal. - The hot-rod aircraft was a Cessna 196.... Very few twins were used - The biggest formation you could make was a 5-way (aircraft limited). - For us break-off was < 1000' (Unless somebody was real close) - The B4 container would reliably open in 250' ( you'd want to sit up some) - Tracking off at 800’ altitude is silly. You just turn 180 degrees and dump - Double totals were thought impossible until the PC was introduced. - Survival was practiced as an art. - As today, safety was an emotional topic costumed as clear logic Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

After awhile skydiving defines you as it; not it as you. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

I was 17. I told 'em my Mom was in the car and forged the release. Anybody who has any jumps is more a skydiver than those with zero. Those with no jumps who proclaim experience are zeros... Like kids talking about girls and sex they only dream of. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

I love Dactyl drivers. They all prove that all my crazy + scary times were just a warm up to what we called "Dactyl Death Days" ... They'd just fold up at ~70 feet. But, Hey! Small and Light! The double keel flavor suck less. Tim, jump another rig or will me your motorcycle. OK? Deal?? Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Step 1. Add (Your total jump number) to the ("Total Jumps) in the post immediately before you. Step 2. Add (Your total cutaways) to the (Total Cutaways) in the post immediately before you. Step 3. Divide the two for the current average and write the current average Step 4. Help keep it going... 70,213 + 8,000 = 78,213 133 + 32 = 165 78,213 / 165 = 474 ----------------------- About 1:250; - But, 95% + were in the 1st 30 years that I jumped. Plus I had a couple of parachutes that didn't have a high success ratio for opening. One of thes was a PC and one was a 'test' 7-cell that I got a deal on. - Zero malfunctions on 28' flat canopies. - Zero reserve malfunctions. -- 1-2 brain malfunctions, I think. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Really good job John K. .... good on you. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

In about 2000 I had to chop my main. Open over 1,000' + Being Bored, I did CReW with the balled up mess. Did good. Caught it with my feet, I did. It did a quick grab-wrap around my end cells giving me a fast spinning high-G canopy wrap with my own main. Lovely. Genius me. Being quick, I thunk, "Self, you are probably gonna live but you are gonna get Way Busted up big time when the ground arives." Yes I was scared. ... like a 4-stack w/ mojosparky. Sick-scared but also pissed at my stupid self. Working the options, I messed with turns and etc. At about 300' the wrap lost its grip, freed up cleanly and i land soft. Less scared; still disgusted with me, I walk in mumbling at my idolt self. Only good thing about that scary jump was that I was way out over the nursery at Ethanac Rd. and no one saw my dumb-ass moves. Works, you got more lives than 2-cats. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Hey Skr, Howdy at ya. We're still at our place in Fullerton. But also spend time in Prescott Az. I still dream of sky dance. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

BeeLine was located out where the Houston Intl. Airport now squats. I think Hershel Lee was president of the HPC. Silk canopies weren''t uncommon. They glow like mother of pearl in the sun. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

I do remember my 1st 4-stack. As I recall we had a nice and exciting wrap, Ricter landed in my arms and I tossed him away quick like. Kept his sandal 'tho. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

In 1960-1962 the Houston Parachute Club was loacted at the BeeLine Airport and run by Ed Fitch, I-11, Clyde Jacks, D-42 and others. The HPC bosted 130 members at the time. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Thanks for posting this Howard. Jan and I plan to attend. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

There were no pea gravel pits for accuracy in the early days. The original target was four strips of cloth laid on the bare ground in a "+" shape. We caled them "Target panels." The intersection of the "+" was open creating a 3' x 3' square called dead-center. - All accuracy was down wind - The panels were reaaranged to signal a style jumper what style series to turn after exit. - If the winds got dangerous (> 12 - 15 MPH) the target panels were pulled in to abort the jump. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Today is the 48th Anniversary of my 1st jump! Birthday boy: Just 48 yeaars agoo I made my first skydive. In Houston Texas at the Houston Sport Parachute Club from a Cessna 185 :-)

Our circle in the sky is unbroken. Sky flyers across the rainbow of flight celebrated Eli. His cruel end mandated a gathering. There the sky itself said “ELI.” Sky people hug and cry. And laugh. And remember. Legion friends of ELI, beloved wife, family, womb-child, film, touching, and music diffuse our loss. United, we mourn and rally for Sarah, the kids, and his family. All reflect him like a mirror. We drank, danced, and hugged. Xeon search lights + great burning-man effigy seize the night. Circle unbroken, I danced. ELI, if love gives wings, you fly forever. Eli. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Me n Eli and several friends started freefly at Perris around 1993. Then, none of us could go head down, but our stand and sit routines were way hot. Later we competed on the ESSI ESPN X-Games Pro Freeflying Tour. Omar, Olav, Charles, Eli, Fritz, Mike, and yall kicked ass with the most "WOW" visuals seen. Today, there are no words than can express how this awfulness rends my soul and racks my body. Memories of a golden smile, thoughts of grand times, visuals of sky wonders live in my heart. Join me in donating: http://web.me.com/sarahfarooqui/web.mac.com_sarahfarooqui/Memorial_Eli.html Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

"The smallest guy on the team had the biggest presence in any room or any airplane. ... As one of the pioneers of freeflying he changed the perception of what it meant to be a skydiver. His ideas and his vision made him part of skydiving history and earned him multiple World Championships and World Records." from RedBull AirForce site Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Alas SKYDIVING NEWS MAGIZINE, we loved you well. Part of what was skydiving dies with SKYDIVING. I mourn the coming communication drought. We are handicapped at our loss. This demise of good art and clear communication is a grave thing for thoughtful parachutists. Certainly our awareness of and discourse on what was, what is, and what should be is wounded. Reflection: Methinks that one should admire news magazines’ balls; Provide life-support; Celebrate their existence. Realize that our parachute jumper Society and communication are diminished with each death. Other now silent trees fell in our sky forest: - Spotter. - RWunderground Newsletter - DZ USA - TPC news letter - SKYDIVER - Freak Bros. Flyer So what? Well, now no one can hear the wind as well; nor see the sky as sharply. Neither can we rally, ponder, nor fight for what will become with the trade winds and market politics of our sky sports. Rx: Live longer/better. Learn. Share! ... Communication IS IMPERATIVE. After all, what they don't know can kill you, friends, … or inhibit your jumping. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Agree. Amen. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Sky is an active SOS and big way jumper. He jumped for years ar Hinckley. Today he jumps at Skydive Chicago and Z-Hills. His wife Donna, bounced on her 1,000th jump about 20 years ago. I just heard sky was injured yesterday. " ----------- Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

7,650 and still counting. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Cutaways did not exist much until the first "Sport" canopy, ParaCommander, introduced wild spins with Mals. My 1st was ~200 on a demo-jump over Wharton Texas with my dear Aunt Hattie watching. I pulled my main at about 1,200 AGL (way high for that place-time). My newish PC opened with a violent spin... My shot and a half ker-chunked soon as i'd filled the tangs down. I commenced to pull my 24' flat belly reserve with a wind-blast ripcord soldered by my mentor, CG Wallace. Cool beans. The solder on the pin-made-from-a-nail dug into the cone. No Pull..... Shucks. This went on FOREVER. At one point I was in a deep bowl with the hroizon way above where it could be. PULL: PULL:.... etc. etc. At this point my Alamo brain says, "Thou Shalt NOT bounce w/ no-pull!!! Yo1 Heave! pULL! Open, Swing once, splash down in a ditch in a rice field. Of course I explain to Aunt Hattie that it was "all a part of the show...." :-] That gentle lady said something like, "That was the most damn foolish thing i haver Ever seen...." Well, at least my Mom was not there. My other 30 ++ went much better for all. Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

About 12 times. All radial jump ships. Except once in a T=otter. R. Engine blew on take off. ~ 60 feet. POW! Stuff flies. Pucker factor high. V.Nam Pilot took it around and landed. ... the ME part was seat belts wer miss-matched. All had one except me. I ask for a link-with. "NO!" (share a seatbelt via leg-strap) NO! . . . . . . . .. Hum? that puzzles me.... Whatever, I sit on the floor and grab as many legs as my arms allow. (I did thunk that my unbelted self could be messy for all... but I harbor dark thoughts sometimes. Silently) Good Pilot. Good landing. In the 'Old days' (40-50 years ago) the notion of jumping out of "a perfectly good airplane" was an oxymorn. Sometines we had weak planes and weaker pilots. Thus the rest of the 'emergency bail-outs' were usually above 3,000 feet and a radial goes akpow and you get a pass over the DZ at n-100 feet and select your canopy of choice. {NOBODY NEVER EVER selects the reserve} Yuk. .... one time interests me. The guy in the door was last out. He had foot-prints on his jump suit. Giggle. Remarkably, CG once lost an oil line at about 6000 AGL. Oil covered the windshield. It was a bit smokey. Da pilot, plants Both feets on the C-196 Dash, turns it on its side, open door-down, jacks the stick back-and-forth like al salt-shaker whilst screaming, "OUT, OUT, OUT, everybody OUT, Now!!! " etc. So, we 5 exit in a Flash and trach like with the Mother of all tracks towards the Horizon..... At some point, we severally realize that we've been ejected above the forest that are now Houston International Airport. Me thinks, "I am lost. Where ARE we? WHY AM I TRACKING towards whatever???? Boy scout like, I find a fire road below and deploy. Genius. Still, the emergency exits over Pope Valley were just as attention getting. The word "valley" can give you a clue. Whatever, the WORST is to be ground bound and watch your mates take off in a sputtering AC that loses power at about 500 feet. At that point, due to one of Newton's laws, the earth sucks. Today I bask in the certain knowledge that driving to the DZ is WAY more dangerous than flight. Blue Sky Black death, etc. etc. 8-0 Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

--------------------- . Once upon a when. Long ago at the Valley of Pope, . keepers of dance in the sky mind-melded, Spocking, whilst sharing magic that open doors. . A Chaos agent, my part is to provide the solution that echoed sky spirits and wind song… . And, then, 'pow' the Skr question was sky-clear. . Skr spoke, "So, what sounds the skydance resonance and its clarion bell? ... what answers the call?" . And enchanted too, I posit, “… Boogie Mechanics.” .... "The Skydance Approach to Boogie Mechanics. . And even now, . that bell tolls still for me in thy dreams. . Yes. Now evermore than everbefore. Hear! Dream. Dream and dance. . Sing out. Hear the echo. . Know echo-reflected matches your own. And is your own. . So, Spread your wings! Self-won, Share. . Fly. Fly. Fly for joy. Then show it; tell it, too. . Spread the words . With smiles and soft clouds . Reflecting in our eyes. Crazy pat Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,

Ride on the Wind Out into the blinding sky Floating, soaring figures fly As a silent airplane falls up. Vertical dive on your back Like a hunting eagle, As earth-pushed air roars. Arch back, and the roar dive becomes swoop While the formation and you freight train on railroad tracks of air. You flare to coast as the joy wells and flows into the sinewy dance Of flyers on magical columns of air. To dock with single-pointed mind that ecstasies into an electric smile As you shake and break to enter. And the power flows through the formation 'til it explodes Into fragments which blossom all the colors of spring And the World starts, again. Pat Works Pat Works nee Madden Travis Works, Jr .B1575, C1798, D1813, Star Crest Solo#1, USPA#189,