Tonto

Whoa! There's a blast from the past! That's where I did my Tandem rating in 1992... Nice poster. t It's the year of the Pig.

I'm WAY better off financially. Since GWB the $ has decreased 60% against the ZAR. I've bought a Stiletto, a Safire, a Mirage G4, an S3, a cypress and I'm on my way to the DZ.com boogie for half price jumps from 2500ft more altitude! Of course, the 37 000 dead Iraqi civilians are less impressed. t It's the year of the Pig.

Don't use the arms. As creatures who dominate our planet, we have a desire to "control" too much. The bank works because we're releasing air rather than pushing on it. The tip of looking in the direction you want to turn in is a good one, but make sure you look OVER your elbow and not under. Slightly positive pressure on the legs will help too. t It's the year of the Pig.

HEY! How you doing?! Any Crew going on out there? PM me, OK? t It's the year of the Pig.

Wooooo! Just stopped laughing! That was a cool story! Thanks! t It's the year of the Pig.

I got out 2 miles early over mMabatho military airport (across the runway from the civvy airport) on a night dive. Landed in the base and had to "restrain" a guard while explaining I wasn't a bad guy. Felt like James Bond hitting the ground and cutting away as I sprinted for the shadow of the hangar... t It's the year of the Pig.

Don't you "grasshopper" me! (although they do eat a lot..) It was a QUOTE! t It's the year of the Pig.

"Sex at age 90 is like trying to shoot pool with a rope." Camille Paglia t It's the year of the Pig.

I'm an AFF instructor. Turning simply requires you to deflect air off one side of the front of your body. In effect, every skydiver, whether AFF student, Birdman or World FS champion is nothing more than an "air deflection manager." We struggle to visualise air, and what it's doing to us in freefall. Imagine standing facing a jet of water on a hot summers day. The water is hitting you centre of the chest, on the sternum, and deflecting off into this perfect circle. Now just turn ever so slightly to deflect that jet off to the left. In freefall that would cause a right turn. It's a subtle move, and requires NO muscle power. The air is our energy sourse, like the wave is for the surfer. Use the air. Think as fast as you like, but move slowly. Being more current, less scared and more aware will make this easier. I don't think it's a good idea going to SL now. PM me if you have more questions, OK? t It's the year of the Pig.

Me too. Time has told me it's just fear of the unknown. Same as a different aircraft - 2 secs out the door it matters little what you rode up in! I look at the pics, watch the patterns, listen to the briefing if there is one, and land out if I need to. I'll be in Eloy in December - checking out that airspace. Scared. But I'll hide it well! t It's the year of the Pig.

Loads. It's never been a problem for me. Of course, if someone said "Stop jumping." that would be different, but denying food, another beer, casual sex - that's no problem at all. t It's the year of the Pig.

I was in the same spot about a year ago. I've done about 300 dives on my G4 since then. My next rig (early next year) will be a G3, mainly because the esalticated back support on the G4 makes fitting my wingsuit 5% harder. I'm using an older G3 as a back to back rig - and I'm really happy with every aspect of both rigs, from build quality/time, design to customer service and support. In the end it's your call. Personally I think the G3 looks better, but the G4 feels fantastic. t It's the year of the Pig.

Hell Yeah! (although my numbers are not huge.) In 50 min, I get off work, go fetch my kids, have supper, off to a movie - and then at 06h00 tomorrow morning I'm off to the DZ for another 12 or 13 dives! That is so fucking cool! Nothing has held my attention this long. Sure, I've gone through the FS mill, comp CReW, Tandem slave, Demo slave, Klingon and now it's Birdman and I'm a baby freeflier. Nothing matches this. t It's the year of the Pig.

I tend to follow the landing rules set by the DZ I'm jumping at. Many are different, some even oposing, but almost all have been decieded on after much debate and careful desision making. If I can't follow or fathom what I should be doing - I ask. Getting older has made this easier - as most people just think you're not too sharp - or understand your concerns. t It's the year of the Pig.

Yes they were. In Gulf War 1 and "Shock and Awe" The US bombed - and kids were blown to bits. It matters little whether or not the delivery vehicle is a plane or a car. The kids are still being blown to bits. t It's the year of the Pig.

Clicky www.skydivetheranch.com t It's the year of the Pig.

It is here. Last weekend about 50 local jumpers did several C-130 dives. Our view on the tax payer is different. If the hours have been budgeted for - but not used - then the taxpayer should benefit. And most taxpayers with a PRO rating do. I think the C-130 is a little overrated. The spots tend to be marginal, it takes forever to load, and here in Africa where there are fewer jumpers - once you've done 3 dives - that's it for the day as most people head for the pool. I'd prefer 10 dives out of an Antinov 26b over 3 from a Herc anyday. t It's the year of the Pig.

You say But you want more wings in the sky. How are you going to get more wings in the sky without moving product? You want to move your product, don't you? Wouldn't the responsible thing be to learn how best to train people to use that product? There's nothing new about this. Tandem manufacturers were rating people on the equipment they built many years before the USPA got involved. Birdman have taken a very responsible view to distributing their product and setting up a worldwide network of BMI's to allow their customers the best possible chance at a safe and enjoyable 1st flight. The cost of the BMI course (Around $300, I think..) is nothing in the overall scheme of things, when you look at the cost of suits, gear, dives, traveling, time, etc. I think there are benefits as well. BMI's recieve a discount on their personal and demo suits which will easily offset the cost of the BMI course. Having your student sign the BM waiver offers you further protection in case of an incident. Not a flame. Just some stuff to think about. t It's the year of the Pig.

It's not over till it's over. You seem to think that "You've got away with it." Maybe you have. Time will tell. t It's the year of the Pig.

And I've seen the same thing happen on AR-7, Rubis and Matrix CRW canopies. I think this belongs in the CReW forum so I'm putting it there. Now tell me the dude on top is wearing gloves that look like they're very skin coloured, and that he's not doing Velo crew gloveless.... t It's the year of the Pig.

No. t It's the year of the Pig.

Tonto being all Green and serious... You're quite right, of course.. Wouldn't want to screw up too badly in my first week on the job - especially when I have to clean up my own mess here in the incidents forum! t It's the year of the Pig.

Very little is obvious to me when people ask me if you can breathe in freefall or whether you'll get sucked out when the door opens. t It's the year of the Pig.

Hey. I've done VERY little BASE and NO wingsuit BASE. The exits described reminded me of a Bungi exit, where your legs are tied together. I used Bungi as an African training aid for BASE in the absence of a baloon. I've attached a pic. Obviously in a Wingsuit your arms would be further back, but it may help you get an idea. Are you coming to Eloy? t It's the year of the Pig.

Your flock will grow! Isn't there a Swakop Boogie being planned for the end of the year? I know some people from here who are keen on going. Me? Nah. I'm off to a little shindig in Eloy! t It's the year of the Pig.