Dutchboy

I was nearly run over by 2 F-16 fighters today. I was flying along at 3k feet over North Georgia under the foggles (simulated IFR) when I heard my safety pilot say "Look at that". Two fighters at my 3 o'clock 500 ft above me and going fast. They passed less than 1000 ft in front of me. Can you say wake turbulence boys and girls, I know you can. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

I'll do my best to show up there for at least some of this. Too far out to say exactly when. Yes, I do have a raft, still waiting to be used. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

So, since it was your first time did you go naked? The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

First off, I wouldn't care what other people think. They weren't there. It is your life and your equipment so nobody else has a right to say anything at all. Second, congratulations on thinking rationally under a stressful situation. You made the decision that was right for you. Don't worry about others that would have made a different decision. There is a reason that more males than females end up dead in this sport and it isn't just the porportion of jumpers. Third, if it were me and there were other potentially more supportive dropzones nearby I would check them out. But that's just me. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

Atlanta Air Sportz has a Porter to jump out of this weekend (and likely will in the future). For those of you who aren't familar with this airplane, it is a turboprop that can out climb an Otter with a huge door. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

Is that cheap? Atlanta Air Sportz is only charging $14.50 for jumps at the moment. All the unemployed bums like me really appreciate that. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

As always nowadays, check the AOPA website for details. They are concerned that somebody will hijack a large GA aircraft and want passengers and luggage to be searched, etc. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

FAA is requiring part 91 operators (General Aviation) of aircraft over 12,500 lbs to implement new security procedures. I think the gross of a standard Otter is 11,600, but what are the Super Otter's limited too? I'm sure that some of the larger jump ships out there could be affected by this. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

What can I say, I must be doing something wrong. That is why I don't have anything bad to say about the psycho pack, because I only have problems when I try it not when somebody who knows what they are doing packs it. Since it is so easy to pack the Hornet I don't go to the extra effort to psycho pack anymore. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

I was mine in cold water in the gentle cycle with NO detergent. I normally wash mine every weekend after use. I just drip dry. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

Glad that everything worked out OK for you. A note on packing the canopy. I have a Hornet and just PRO pack it. I have tried the psycho pack a few times. Whenever someone else did the psycho pack all was fine, but about 50% of the time when I did it I got twists. Since the canopy always opens nicely and doesn't squirt around while folding I just stick with the PRO pack now. Also, I'm told that psycho packing without a bridle extension can cause twists and canopy wear. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

So did they refund your boogie fee and ticket since you didn't get even one jump? The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

What buried in a project, at your company? [sarcasm]It was never like that when I worked there [/sarcasm] The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

According to my IFR chart Cross Keys is just outside the PHL class B. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

According to my IFR chart, Cross Keys is just outside the PHL class B!

I checked and all four Atlanta DZ's are outside of the enhanced Class B. It's amazing just how far out that airspace goes over the busiest airport in the world. All but Atlanta Air Sportz are just barely outside the airspace. If I wanted to fly to Skydive Atlanta it would be like 200 miles and would probably be quicker to drive! I'm not going to bitch though, anything to get back in the air again. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

It appears that if you are outside of class B airspace and neither above nor below it you are OK!!!!!!!

AOPA has a more recent update. Should be interesting to see what SOME VFR being restored means. Also find it interesting that flight training is somehow threatening to the government. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

I had a door pop open in a small Cessna a couple of weeks ago while taking off. Nobody wants to investigate that. Actually, it was interesting flying the plane with the door open. I was trying to ignore it while at the same time trying to keep my elbow planted on my charts so they didn't all get sucked out the door! The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

This is what happened to me yesterday. I spent over 15 minutes taxing around the airport looking for a spot where I could get Atlanta approach on the radio. I finally had to go directly to Atlanta center. I had to cancel IFR by phone on the ground. As to the speed of the system yesterday, I literally could have drove quicker. It took me 2.4 hours to fly to Chattanooga and back. Of course, I did do 3 instrument approaches that added to the time. The frequencies were very congested, especially near Atlanta. I had been cleared to a radio beacon and then Atlanta approach forgot about me. Took us over 10 minutes to even get them to respond to us, so we could land at the airport 5 miles away. I'm a bit bummed. I was supposed to have my instrument checkride today, but the examiner said the FAA was discouraging him from doing these at the moment. The current restrictions don't prevent this type of flight. Naturally since I can't do the stinking checkride I can't get the rating that would allow me to fly right now. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

Guess I'm off to the Freaks Flock To Atlanta Boogie at Skydive Atlanta then! The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

If this happens, and I make it out, is anybody up for a raft jump? Broken Eagle already has a slot in the boat for her birthday. Any other ladies want in the boat? Any guys up for stabilizing? Anyone want to do the video? The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

What is the cost for jump tickets? The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

Given that a friend was killed in a botched formation jump (in Texas) earlier this year I'm sure any of the jumpers from Skydive Atlanta would pass on that offer. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra

In addition to the velcro you added, the Dolphin 2000 has a bridle cover that runs to the BOC. So the bridle is both tacked down with velcro and covered. The Dutchboy http://www.geocities.com/ppolstra