LuvToFly

Okay - it's 4:30 AM East Coast, and I'm caving in to sleep - Goodnight (er, I mean good mornin) ya'll! Blue Skies "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Yeah, it's true - You usually have money - or time - but seldom both. Some bank on the fact that they will one day, if they are very prudent with investments and spending, have both - But then, you have to throw in the third element - health - I'm always amazed at how many people put all the their hopes in retirement and then end up either dying or in some way not healthy enough - certainly for this sport. There are some exceptions - but brother - it's a real gamble as even folks that have taken care of themselves get cancer and die young - I've known some of them - Being off sucks for sure - but make the time count, You won't always have it - "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Yeah, that Jan 1 freeze stuff is so common because everyone has already blown their budget for the year - Hopefully the new year will bring up some good opportunities for you - I do agree about the happy in your job thing. Not everyone has 40, 20 or even 10 years for all they know to get it "right" and get into the job that make them happy. (That is especially true when one is involved in high-risk sports of course) You're quality of life move should be now and not later - "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Yea but it passes the time True! Passing the time is good if you are at work - but not so good if you are not at work and would rather be sleeping - "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Great move! (not the credit rating - the keepin' the rig part that is!) "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Some would say the crazier part is that we are all on DZ.com at this hour. How obsessed! "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Okay, I guess I am the only other crazy East Coaster that is still awake? I'm an east coaster but currently hanging out in Texas ....so im an hour behind ya mad man ...... What can I tell ya... some of the best writing ideas arrive after midnight. Gotta write when inspiration hits - "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Okay, I guess I am the only other crazy East Coaster that is still awake? "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

It all becomes quite clear when yer' gettin' drug across the ground...Unless you are into that - of course! "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

A lot of these surplus rounds will not lift you off the ground actually. Instead, it acts like a drag chute - staying more or less horizontal behind the car or moving vehicle. I happen to have seen this done before, and the dude underneath on the harness got dragged across the ground at a fairly good clip. All was still okay until he hit the briar patch and got ground through that - On the last run the tension was so strong on the rope that the attachment point broke on the car end. The parachute took off from the wind dragging him with it across the ground. My brother jumped on the end of the rope that was bouncing along uphill. It dragged him uphill too. Then I jumped on the rope - it dragged all of us uphill! I know someone else said they did it many times, but this is NOT a good idea - tell him to forget it! "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

When I started, I used to find myself getting nervous going from the seat to the door. Weird - Not going up, and not IN the door. In the door, even with the propblast, has always been great. Falling away is great. But the little can't-really-stand-up-straight hobble to the door in the King Air was a first nerve-racking - It does go away for some though. I thoroughly enjoy each part now. Nothing but fun with skills attached. If you are really into the sport, I bet you too will learn to enjoy each facet of the experience - If you get too spooked however, back off for a bit and re-evaluate. It's not for everyone, and you do not want to panic - you must be able to keep your cool and do what you have been taught - Enjoy! "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Looks authentic from first glance. Same color and label style/placement. (Freeze-frame does wonders) "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

I'd recommend you get some foam swabs. They sell them at Radio Shack, and are generally used for cleaning video heads. All the advantages (including tight access capability) of swabs, but no fraying - "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Phoenix had a very suckingly expensive tax situation on rental cars out of Phoenix last time I rented out of that airport - Certainly one of the more expensive places that I have rented from - Fortunately, that is not representative of what you can get rental cars for in many other locations. l know some folks have flown into Tucson when going to Eloy just because the cars were cheaper to rent out of that city. And since Eloy is about 1/2 way between Phoenix and Tucson, the travel difference was negligible. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

One of the things that I found was helpful is this.. A lot of time, you get taught about how to do the folds, as opposed to what they all mean - and I think it is important to understand what goes where, and why - For instance, once you understand that the steering lines need to go in the back, and you see can see that the steering lines are attached to the trailing edge, and you realize that the trailing edge is farthest away from you when you are pro-packing, you have a visual you can work with. Visualizing what you are actually doing to the parachute is a great key to understanding how to pack, and it is often not explained that way - Here is a suggestion that might help. Spread the canopy out on the ground in front of you, with the leading edge away from you (lines up of course). You will need a lot of space of course, but make sure that the canopy is opened up and laying flat on it's top side with the front (nose) towards you and the tail farther from you. Examine where all the lines are. Then, pick the thing up slowly by reeling in the lines so to speak until you have it hanging there as you do when you pro pack. Get a visual on where all those parts of the parachute are hanging now. I am not, however suggesting that you go forward and pack it from that point. Go back to your normal procedures and start from the recommending beginning of your Pro pack procedure. But if can learn to actually SEE what is going on, instead of wading through what seems to be a pile of nylon, you may find the process easier to understand. If nothing else, this may give you an increased awareness of the position of the steering line, and why you must be diligent in your pack job to see that they never get around front. Once you have a solid visual, that get's easier. By understanding the relationship of the canopy lying flat, and where everything goes when you draw it up into the pro-pack hanging position, you should get a better idea of what all those folds are, how they get there, and what the lines are actually attached to. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

I'm so sorry to hear about your injury... (You do get to be out for something a bit more dramatic - I'm nursing a broken toe that hardly seems worth it!) If you have broken your other arm a few times and healed up repeatedly like that, you must have some good healin' genes... So, here's hoping for a speedy recovery! Tom "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Adria, As we struggle in mortal selves to stay aloft under mere string and fabric, you have found freedom of flight we can only dream of on this side of eternity. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

When ever you go into the ER always be sure to add "and I'm having a hard time breathing" to the list of whats wrong. You'll spend less time waiting around Yeah, that or, "I've got these strange chest pains." But seriously though - there was apparently two very bad car accidents while I was there where the passengers were brought in quite banged up by all reports. After I found this out, I felt lame bitchin' to myself about a broken toe. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

So sorry to hear of your loss.. One thought that has comforted is that we are lucky to have known those whom we have outlived at all. We have at once been blessed by their smile, their laugh, their character and the uniqueness that made them who they were. They were lent to our lives for a time, borrowed for a season, and in this fact, we have truly been fortunate. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

While getting ready to head out to skydive today, I hit my foot on something so hard that I knew it was no slight injury. I did RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) and after about 6 hours of babying it, I tested things out a bit and got a shooting pain. Ouch. So went to ER and got to spend 3 hours - mostly waiting, just to find out that I had broken a toe. Gonna take me out of the jump schedule for a while, and I'm not happy about it - It's amazing that one can plummet to one's potential death time after time, and return to earth safely under canopy, only to mess yourself up around the house. Trying to keep it in perspective though - I'll be back on the scene - some people won't. Just grumpy 'cause need to keep jumping out of planes. Okay, rant over - "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

PM'd !! I'm a gonna be thar.. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Shannon - Don't lose touch... Don't lose touch with the beauty and awe of the experience and of the sport. It's not necessay to hook at all to experience the very best part of all of this. And getting back to that, back to gorgeous views, the air rushing past, the quiet peacefulness of a fully opened non-diving canopy - this is what pulled many into the sport. Somewhere along the way, this whole amazing package of privilege becomes - not enough. Your basic freefall, canopy ride, and straight in landing become rote, even boring. You must have more - it must be spiced up - the edge must be pushed harder and harder. And you go from 90's, to 180's, to 360's.. Stop.. ... and ask yourself a simple question. Why? As a hangglider, airplane and heli pilot, I love to be in the air. It's in your blood. But the general aviation mantra is one of safely enjoying the sport. Your concerns are very real, and very heartfelt. So are the other folks on here that don't want anything to happen to you. Get back to the original love - jump solo and do slow 360's during freefall. Just LOOK at the skyline. Look at the mountains creasing the landscape below. There are no points to turn, just pure beauty. Glide quietly under canopy, and just look around. Not at lining up a landing spot, but at all of creation. When all of this no longer has the original appeal, awe and sense of wonder.. then "more" becomes necessary. And in that quest for more and more, some decide to live just on that edge between skill and chance. Don't be one of them. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Chris, What SPECIFICALLY are the three top execs being sued for? And more importantly, do we know how much salary and bonuses they took while the company was spiraling down? I have not followed this specific situation, but I bet ya' it was a lot - "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

RE: Kelly F of Velocity Sports- See attached pics of my new rig!! The attention to detail, the customer service, and the sheer devotion to his craft is astounding. Plus, his accessibility for questions or concerns was unprecedented. Just a really hard-working and amazing person to deal with. Kelly, just wanted to thank you publicly for a fantastic job, well done on your part!! Infinity really does rock! Also, would be remiss if I did not mention how good Larry Sherling was to work with at SkyCatGear. He had my shipment to me just when he said he would, regardless that it needed to be assembled during the hurricane that was blowin' through there at that very same time. Taking nothing away from other very reputable vendors/manufacturers, I still have to say you guys make me very proud I am in the sport. Great job! Now all I have to do is go jump it! Thanks! Tom "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

Very nicely put. "The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky