rmsmith

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Everything posted by rmsmith

  1. rmsmith
    Actually, they did skimp. I finally got around to renting this video (on the cheap shelf now), and I was disappointed that the movie didn't have much to say about the lack of ac-130 support. As I understand it, the UN wanted them removed at the request of a local warlord who wouldn't sit for talks until the gunships were relocated. Clinton caved-in, order Les Aspen to remove them, and history was made. Shortly there after, Les Aspen took the blame for Clinton; Slick Willy wiggled out of another one. Maybe someone else knows better?
  2. rmsmith
    Well, you might want to have a talk with your pilot because I use about 22 gallons TOTAL PER LOAD to that altitude. Inefficient flying by a pilot can really run up the operating costs on any turbine airplane. My figures came from a "do-diligence" paper that was assuming three loads per hour and ground taxi and standby costs. I was hoping that you would help out here as I consider your input pretty valuable. Thanks Chris!
  3. rmsmith
    The -27s on the twin otter use about 15-gal per engine per load to 14,500-ft with 22-jumpers. I don't know about the caravan, but I'd guess that it's about 20-gal with its load of 14-jumpers, but it also takes a few more minutes than the twin otter to reach altitude. I think the caravan might be more economical per hour to operate, but they cost more to amortize than a well used 100-series twin otter. Either way, it takes a courageous DZO to "sign-on-the-dotted-line" for a turbine airplane.
  4. rmsmith
    I've been wondering about the smaller Vectran and HMA lines being subjected to gamma radiation at the airports these days. Sunlight is relatively low energy with a long wave-length, which only affects the exterior fibers first. However, gamma radiation is extremely powerful with a very short wave-length, which easily penetrates all of the fibers throughout the line. I also understand that most of the parcel services now scan their customer's packages with such devices. The only realistic option is to replace these lines on a shorter interval as the penalty of line failure is just too great.
  5. rmsmith
    I still miss Jeannie. I was stunned when I heard that she had passed away. There were plenty of California boogies where the first sign of her was that Jaguar in the parking lot. I had a reserve ride one windy day under a SAC-22, and it was a long walk back to the DZ, but Jeanie followed me down none the less, and we made the trek together. An outstanding Lady!
  6. rmsmith
    OK, thanks for your help. I'll post the results of this issue when the new Interface arrives! Hello All, Steffen finally returned home from Florida, and he sent me a replacement Interface unit, and everything works fine now. He also added some extra goodies too: an extra-large tee-shirt, an embroidered logo patch, some logo stickers, and two sets of batteries for the ProTrack audible. How's that for service?
  7. rmsmith
    You haven't been around long enough, Idyz. There are folks out there that actually believe we breathe through the pores in our skin during freefall...really!
  8. rmsmith
    I saw one of these news shows that accused the railroad of operating a dangerous system because a teenager was killed by a "speeding locomotive!" Well, the train was going 27-mph, and somehow the teenager wasn't smart enough to avoid it. [Darwinism?].
  9. rmsmith
    This sort of yellow journalism is why I don't approve of these "ratings whores" soliciting skydivers for video of skydiving mishaps. Those who gleefully respond are only causing harm to this great outdoor sport.
  10. rmsmith
    Fashion aside, unless you have a really small rig like these swoop folks that require a "stepped" harness, you don't need all that extra metal. A properly fitted harness will allow all the movement you'll ever need.
  11. rmsmith
    Don't sell your current main until you've got a few rides on that swooper...you never know!
  12. rmsmith

    Praise

    rmsmith replied to mikkey's topic in Gear and Rigging

    I returned this way too. Everything was just like before except for the Zero Porosity canopy material, which I must confess has caused me a great many grass stains. Welcome back!
  13. rmsmith
    Chris is correct regarding the Twin Otter. There are spare parts programs worldwide for this airplane, and it was also designed to be worked on in the field with minimal support. It has one of the lowest costs for TO/Landing cycles too. With the main fuel tanks under the floor rather than in the wings means it can endure unimproved airfields with ease. No comparison to the Shorts SC-7 Skyvan, which now has a specific end of life, in the modern world anyway.
  14. rmsmith

    Praise

    rmsmith replied to mikkey's topic in Gear and Rigging

    So, was it "cold-turkey", right up to 12,500-ft?
  15. rmsmith
    The 25% discount is about average for the industry, but I seem to remember that PD was also doing a factory $100.00 rebate last year during March. It applied to in-stock canopies if I remember correctly.
  16. rmsmith
    I haven't seen brown for some time either. It looked good in the "desert" colors, i.e., a yellow, orange, & brown combination.
  17. rmsmith
    I missed the leading , so I took you seriously!
  18. rmsmith
    You're a democrat, right?
  19. rmsmith
    ...just got back from Boise, ID. Well, for me it means a poor glide ratio. I had a Spectre loaded at 1.3, and I have a Crossfire loaded at 1.4 right now. The Crossfire seems to glide flatter in full flight, and it also has a more responsive flare, leveling incrementally to toggle inputs whereas the Spectre at 1.3 responded only to a deep stroke. I also had a Spectre at 1.0, and it was very easy to land not requiring such a deep stroke. The PD wing loading table was a pretty good benchmark, IMHO.
  20. rmsmith
    I used to jump at Pope Valley back in the seventies, and I'm sure that he was on every DC-3 load back then too. Rumor has it that Bill Dause was over six feet tall before he started skydiving!
  21. rmsmith
    The Spectre is a ground hungry canopy when flown at a high wing loading, and it doesn't have near the bottom end flare power of the Crossfire.
  22. rmsmith

    saying thanks

    rmsmith replied to freebird's topic in The Bonfire

    Hey, thanks for sharing skies with us! Whenever you are lonely you will forever gaze skyward, and unlike most people on this planet you can honestly say, "I've been there!" I had to leave this wonderful sport to get my life in order, i.e., return to school for an engineering degree, and find decent job in an area with affordable housing for my wife and two kids. That done, I now struggle to find the time for skydiving. Follow your dreams Tiffany, and make your goals realistic so that they are attainable. Play it safe out there, and good luck to you! --RMS
  23. rmsmith
    If this canopy has been subjected to repeated submersion in water with the silt and clay particles in suspension then some of those particles could work their way "into" the lines where they will "cut" the fibers each time a load is applied to the lines. Or one of those sandy beach landings comes to mind as I think of small sharp particles. This has been an issue in mountain climbing rope as it has frequent contact with soil particles.
  24. rmsmith
    Yes, I have two of them, and just might order a third one pretty soon!
  25. rmsmith
    This is why I use a pull-out PC. The mis-routed bridle was killing skydivers back in the seventies, and while the BOC has eliminated many problems, the continued popularity of the throw-out PC baffles me.