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No idea who the camera flyer was, and don't want to know. He has no gripe about the blue canopy. He was the one going low, or why was he SSS at 1500'? IMO he was not keeping his "head on a swivel" as he should have been doing. It's ignorant stuff that takes people's lives. Don't be that guy/gal. This was completely avoidable, no excuses. The guy/gal under the blue canopy most likely opened at their safe predetermined altitude. If I had been the blue canopy pilot, the camera guy and myself would have had a "Come to Jesus" as soon as I landed. Bad enough this sport is so dangerous without "Homey" the flying clown in the sky. Another thing he did which perplexes me is after pitching he screws around with the slider, that could have waited, right? While fooling with his slider, he again is not keeping his "Head on a swivel" It's disturbing to say the least. When I go to the DZ I always hang out a bit to see who's jumping and what their tendencies are so I know what to expect, or which load NOT to get on. Best- Richard

Back in 2000 or so, I was having a really good day at SDSM. At the time Phil & Deb Chappell owned it. It was around the end of the day when I dirt dived with a couple of really great gals there, never jumped with them before so I thought it was odd. We get loaded up, and I was outside the Otter waiting one the "GO" Well I left but they stayed and I thought *&%^$# What's this? Next instant, Phil, Allen and the entire load jumped and we were in a speed star from hell! God I was soooo exited it wasn't even funny. I remember running around the DZ and Deb said "Richard, you haven't stopped smiling yet, you must have "PermaGrin!" One of the best days of my life to finally be accepted into their world! A memory I will cherish the rest of my life! Then the ceremony, another story for another day! It ranks as the 2nd nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Best- Richard

What an accomplishment. Cheif, there's some things a man just as well keep to himself. This is one of them. It's offensive and sexist. Maybe you've heard about the rule that instructors are morally obligated to abstain from sexual activities with paying customers? If you knew that, then this little scenario tells us just what kind of guy you really are, which is hardly anything to be proud of. Best- Richard

Looking at your profile, 405 jumps, USPA coach and a "C" license holder and your asking for advice on getting out of line twists? What do you tell your students when they asks you for advice on the same topic? That's just an odd question coming from such an experienced sky diver who would ask on all the world's stage. KICK OUT! If you can't kick out, cut the dang thing away. I can't imagine the injuries if you tried to ride this down. Best- Richard

[Quote]Wow, just wow! There's real talent for you there. Really impressive canopy work for all. Congrats to all! Best- Richard

That 's what ate my Lunch, FRA. It's a real challenge to keep from going low while turning points. I really de-arch hard to slow down for deployment! My X-Fire 169 is really forgiving on openings. Were it not for that I believe it would cause me to bench myself. Best- Richard

Don't fly one. Don't intend to. It just ain't my gig if ya know what I mean. I remember when I bought that Jim Cazar 24" PC it's what Dan suggested when I bought that Customized Brand new junky Cobalt, it caused a storm then, and I figured there'd be a wise ass somewhere this time as well and you didn't disappoint. Best- Richard

IMO Go with the 24" PC. Check with Jim Cazar. I've been flying 24" PC's for a lot of years. Best- Richard

I don't mind the itching, but I can't stand the swelling!

-Richard- "You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

I don't care what you do. What I do know is you wear a CPAP and you swear to God your in excellent physical condition. Carry on. Best- Richard

Why not consider a X-Fire2 149? Best- Richard

Did I say anything about anyone being overweight? My Father-in-law and Brother-in-law weren't over weight, but they did smoke 5 million cigarettes each and every day. Best- Richard

You up on your American History? It bears it out. Blacks have tried and failed for Presidential bids in the past. And I don't care. I'm not the OP. Best- Richard

Jethro Bodine? Best- Richard

Let me get this straight, your on a CPAP machine, yet your young & healthy, and haven't been to a Dr. since your High School Sports Physical? Hog Wash! Don't bother explaining what a CPAP is, I already know. My Father-in-law, and Brother-in-law utilized them, they're both dead now. Best- Richard

The worst thing that's happening with this Gov't shutdown: It's costing us $55 Billion dollars a day. Naval ships have stopped refurbishing, repainting, General maintenance has all stopped. John Behner is a cry baby, and O'Bama is a JOKE. Some legacy O'bama's leaving behind. But then I never expected him to do good. A black president wouldn't work in the 20's-30's-40's-50's-60's-70's-80's-90's....Well you catch my drift. Best- Richard

Why would a law suit be of interest to you? To my knowledge there haven't been any law suits, YET. But if this behavior doesn't get addressed quickly, you can bet it's just a matter of time before it hit's the fan. You can bet your bottom dollar the USPA is all over this, and they should be. And Mark does know what he's talking about. Best- Richard

I've had 3 very close friends die in this sport. Doing stunts and uncool things, low ground turn, deploying at 800', swooping the ditch and not having enough experience to pull it off. You name it, I've seen it. I'll tell you like I told Shane Richertz, He used to refer to me as the "old man," I used to tell him (he was 26 I was 40) "I'll outlive you Shane, and I'll be reading about you in the incident forums" Bigger than Dallas, 2 months later.....gone. So YOU tell me, who's safer? I'm still here, the other 3 aren't. To this day, I relive that moment, and I have really bad dreams about it. I wish I never would have told him that, but I did. Until you go through that same thing while trying to avert being a statistic yourself you'll never know how that will change your mind about how things should be, and how they are.Think. Best- Richard

Travis didn't do his jump in the US, and he's not banned from the sport in the US either. He did it here: Puerto Rico "Travis Pastrana jumped from a single-engine Cessna from 12,500 feet over Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He was only wearing sunglasses, socks and surf trunks while holding a can of Red Bull. He was not wearing a parachute. He was doing the jump for the "X" Games. So how is it he was f-ing it up for us, in the US?? Best- Richard A quote from Travis himself. He was banned for 180 day back in 08' At least that's the way the research I did reads.

In case you haven't noticed, this is the "Safety & Training" Forum. PS: I checked, it's a double post. The other one in the Tandem section just has a pic, and maybe 4 responses. The Mods don't generally let this fly. Hmph...Well? Their business, not mine. Best- Richard

He did. I've never been there, but I think it's odd no name, or tail numbers were divulged on the show. Were this show to be a farce, they more than likely show this info. Best- Richard

I just searched everywhere. I can't get a tail number off of that plane to save my hide. Can any of the Lodi folks confirm or deny this whole cherade? Best- Richard

O.K. I'll bit. Where was it? And is the Airplane Repo a fake too? It sure comes up as legitimate when a search is done. Best- Richard