flyhi

I've heard it hides banana sap real well. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

As a veteran of several Polish weddings, I have to ask, what happens if that is what it's all about? Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

Men, finally our day is here! If you think you have your hands full, here's something you can probably get behind. Women, do not feel left out. If your ranks have a lot of openings which need filled, then this should be something into which you can sink your teeth. Read this and celebrate. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

Was I the only one who picked up on this? Video? Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

I think when you say that, you should to preface it with, "Once upon a time..." That should put it in the proper perspective. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

Dave, your profile says you have about 200 jumps. Does this mean you got a PRO rating at 200 jumps, or did you not need one for this demo? Someone tried to explain it to me once and it sounded like you only need a PRO rating going into a stadium or other such facility. I could look it up, but would be afraid I would then have to report myself for some of the demos I have done (beach, police station, polo field,...). Anyway, nice job handling this. Once again you demonstrated that keeping a cool head is the best course of action when things go south. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

I thought Paris was in the eastblock? Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

The goal of every Aeronautical Engineer: Simplificate and make more light. Observed at the end of a really bad autorotation: He ran out of collective, lift, and ideas all at the same time Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

All the dates work for me, so count me in. Stacy, what High School? My daughters both graduated from Arundel, so the two schools probably played each other in some sport. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

Sure...if twelve of my friends and I just got out of a very little car in a very big tent. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

Quoting a mid-level philosopher (if he was great, I would remember his name): Everything men do, they do for women. Fight wars, climb mountains, split atoms. The typical thought pattern for a guy is: "Women, women, women, the light is green I can walk, women, women, women, where'd I park the car, women, women, women,..." The only time men don't think about women, is right after they have been with one. History doesn't support this, but I bet this is the exact time when Albert Einstein rolled over and said, "Oh yeah, E = mc^2! I see that now." Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

"Ow, ow...you're on my hair!" or "If you can't get a date, get a nurse." (also works for teachers and engineers.) Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

Well, little wahine, I just bet your mother would be ashamed of you for teasing the less fortunate if she found out. And you know she will. Got your PM and, yeah, I am the real bon vivant. Now I have to go throw up again. If anyone asks, this really, really sucks. Wish you guys were here. Oh, yeah, congrats and aloha. See ya soon! Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

A "clinton"? Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

I agree you can land any canopy straight in and do it successfully. I am not saying you should hook your canopy but I can tell you why people do hook them. And I would like to mention this is what I picked up talking to John LeBlanc. Please remember this has been run through the flyhi filter, so it might not be 100% what JB said, but it has kept me alive thus far. When you hook or aggressively riser turn a canopy, the pilot tends to be behind the canopy as it goes through the turn. Then, as the canopy starts to plane out, the piilot's momentum carries him forward in front of the canopy and forward of its center of lift. Here defining the center of lift as the point where a single resultant lift vector would replace the infinite number of lift vectors actually in effect. Once the pilot is forward of this point, the canopies angle of attack is increased as the lift vector goes from slightly forward in orientation (which is why we get forward drive) through vertical to having a slight aft orientation (rectifying it in an X-Y plane it would go from a positive X component to a negative X component). Once the pilot is in this forward position, His/her job is to stay there. To do this, toggle input is used as well as body position. When we hook it too high, our momentum carries us forward, but then we either swing back under the canopy negating the benefit of the hook, or we use all of our toggle range to stay there and end up too high above the ground out of lift, toggle input, and ideas all at the same time. We do not have to do this hook to get in the forward position. A brisk (as defined by your parachutes aerodynamic properties) initial toggle input will swing the pilot forward in the same manner. From there the landing would be relatively similar to one with a hook turn used to initiate it, except you have less toggle input left to complete the landing. Again, I am just trying to explain why people do hook their landings, not justify them. Of course the increased speed at the bottom is also a factor, but I don't believe one which could be used solely to justify the maneuver. Ready, aim, fire the flaming arrows.

Did not know this. Does anyone know what the limits are? Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

First time I had a Fat Tire, I was in a "casino" at the top of Pikes Peak. Couldn't tell if it was the altitude or the beer, but I felt pretty good about it. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

It's a great idea, but I don't think more regulation is always the best answer. Is there a law on to whom you are allowed to sell a Porsche Boxster or a lesser priced muscle car? We live in such a litigious society, that when someone gets hurt, we immediately look around for who else is to blame. People really need to take responsibility for themselves. Sometimes it appears we are afraid to say, “If you do stupid things, you might get hurt.” Life is not a Montessori school, unfortunately. I agree with the thought that numbers of jumps probably isn’t the best “measure of effectiveness” of a jumper, but what else do we have? It is objective and relatively easy to verify. If nothing else, it tells the number of times you have seen the ground rushing up towards you. And apparently you have dealt with that well enough to still be alive and standing there. I feel it is a better measure for type of canopy you are jumping than ability to perform during the freefall portion. By that I mean, 500 jumps means 500 landings, but it says nothing about your freeflying or RW skills. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

That's better than, "Dude, how much bail money you got?" Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

I have stayed at and near the DZ (usually, very painful experiences), but not lately. 36 miles each way is not a bad trip. [hint]I am hoping to stay across the street from a DZ in the near future for, let's say one Saturday night in exchange for dinner(@ Jameson's?)/beer/jump tix.[/hint] Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

"She broke up with me. Said something about I didn't listen to her, or something. I wasn't really paying attention." Badly misquoted from "Dumb and Dumber". Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

Vike, Lots of good advice here. Some stuff I have noticed: 1. Age is not a problem. And even though they say 27 is an upper limit, everything is waiverable. People with waivers get into flight school wearing glasses everyday. If in doubt, ask. 2. Get guarantees before going in. Check out what you want and get it on the paper and make it specific. The military is replete with stories about people who told their recruiters they wanted to work around aircraft or heavy equipment, and that is as close as they get, sweeping up around them. 3. If you want to live in comfort, style, and air conditioning, go in the Air Force. Granted people like Clay did not have it cushy, but they have the highest cush:bust ass job ratio out there. 4. If you want to stay close to skydiving, join to become a rigger. Do it in the Army, and you will probably end up near Chuck and Raeford, eventually. 5. Advertisers can make anything sound glamorous. Being on an aircraft carrier with 4,999 other people is not that great between port calls. Can be exciting and educational, but at times, it definitely isn't fun. 6. If you enlist, join the Thrift Savings Plan. Pay yourself first, and you will have a nice little chunk of change when you come out. Probably enough to buy two complete outfits so you never have to miss a load again. And that is before taxes. 7. Oh yeah, and stay away from officers. According to another post in this forum, they are all assholes. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

Michele, a no wind landing is a very tough thing to master on something smaller than a Graf Zeppelin-sized chute. It sounds like you learned a lot from the first and applied it on your second landing. After caveating my recommendations with the usual, "talk to a JM, Instructor, Coach, DZO,..." let me suggest a couple of things you might discuss with others before trying: 1. You said you had your toggles "buried to my crotch", you might try holding your arms out to the side a little more. This will give you more input range, and as it doesn't sound like you are stalling it, there might be more in the canopy. One suggestion would be to try this at altitude and see how it works. Also, since you didn't mention it, did you check and see where the stall point of the canopy was at altitude? I find that very helpful. 2. You experienced the thrill of a harness turn and saw what it could do. Next time you land, try pushing hips forward to move your weight forward. Don't just lean into the harness with your chest, but get your weight forward. This should (key word, should) move your center of mass forward and hopefully get it in front of the center of lift allowing a greater angle of attack and more slowing of the canopy (the thrust vector pointed more aft than forward). Discuss this with people at the DZ and watch some of the others land. Hope this helps and hang in there. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

Looks like a clear violation of HH's rules to me. But I'm just a Talmudist at heart. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

We know what you've been doing! We know what you've been doing! Congrats and I bet your baby will be the cutest one ever born. If there are any doubts, ask the Grandparents. Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.