pilotdave

I don't know whats going on. There are 2 servers which are both down for different reasons. The main server was going to be rebooted about a week ago but I don't know if that was ever done. The other server was running a couple days ago but went down at some point. Leroy went away so it won't get restarted for a while. Wish it could be faster and more reliable, but that's tough when it also has to be free. I'd go back to running it from my own PC like it started, but my cable company wouldn't appreciate me sending out over 20 gigs per week (I tried it for a while... they slowed my connection to a crawl until i begged them to turn it back up). Maybe it's time to think about a change. Anyone own a web hosting provider?

Go Maryland! I have the same terp sticker on my desk at work. Dave

In October, I spent a couple days at the US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory and got a tour that included their helmet testing labs. VERY interesting stuff. They mostly do testing on army helicopter pilot helmets, but they have tested all kinds of helmets. The place is full of them. I'd love to see how different skydiving helmets compare to each other. One interesting thing I learned is that modern (or really future) helicopter pilot helmets are made of a material we're familiar with: Spectra. Also learned a lesson about helmet ratings. DOT ratings mean almost nothing. This lab had maybe a 20-25 foot tall drop tower. They put the helmet over an instrumented metal head, and drop it onto a block of steel. They can then measure the acceleration (or deceleration if you prefer) experienced by the head inside the helmet. Back in the vietnam era, the idea was to design a helmet that would keep a pilot's skull from fracturing. I think 400 Gs was the max allowable acceleration. Now the idea is to keep the pilot conscious, with a max of about 140 Gs. But this lab can't test modern, snell approved motorcycle helmets. Their drop tower isn't tall enough to generate those kinds of accelerations when testing those helmets. Another test they do showed how strong these helmets really are. They mount the helmet under the drop tower and raise up a sharp steel "tooth" which weights about 5 lbs I think. Raise it up 15 feet, and drop it onto the back of the helmet. It hurt just to hold that tooth in my palm. The helmets, even really light spectra helmets, can survive the hit with only a scratch. Amazing stuff. Dave

I'm no flat turning expert, but I know that with my PD150, any turns on the rear risers were very difficult. I don't think I'd ever try any type of rear riser turn, especially one that requires pulling them both, down near the ground. I could barely get the canopy to turn with rear risers with the brakes still stowed after opening. Now on my Sabre2, the rear riser pressure is MUCH lower. I have no problem steering myself around after opening on the rears. So, I'd say the best way to flat turn probably depends a lot on what canopy you're flying. Better try a few ways up high and see what works best. Dave

Yeah, you don't notice the instructors... till they let go! That's when the fun really begins.

In that context it's pretty sick, but I had candy like that in America when I was little. But yeah, it's not exactly news that those kids are raised to hate. Dave

Work bought me a tungsten T2. It's pretty awesome. I even have a few skydiving videos on it.

Look into getting some time in an altitude chamber. I've never done it, and I'm not exactly sure how to go about it, but I know you can find ways to do it. You'll see exactly how your body reacts to hypoxia, and at what altitude you need to start worrying. Hypoxia affects different people in all different ways. If it's something you're really worried about, learn what YOUR symptoms are. They may not be the same as the jumpers around you. Some people feel very calm and euphoric, others get really nervous. Some people feel tightness in their chests. You definitely won't feel like you're choking though! Personally, hypoxia isn't something I worry about. At 14,000 for only a few minutes, I don't think I would get more than very mild hypoxia, and I'd also guess that it would be pretty much gone by pull time. Dave

Every DZ has a farmer mcnasty. Some got that way for a good reason too! Dave

0:7:0 Absolutely perfect weather all weekend in the northeast. Didn't realized the weather sucked in so much of the country. I'm sure you guys won't be complaining in January when we have 30 feet of snow on the ground and it's 75 where you are. Loving my new sabre2 135. Gotta figure out how NOT to swoop when there's no wind. I'm not used to sliding in so fast on my feet, but I love the way the sabre2 stops at the end of the flare. Stood em all up, but not always as gracefully as I was trying for. Also have to get used to starting my pattern a lot higher. This thing comes down a whole lot faster than a PD150. Dave

I had a fun one not too long ago. It was basically my first demo jump. It was the first full altitude load of the day, and we got a lot more freefall drift than expected. I opened downwind of the airport and was making very little forward progress over the ground. I wasn't far from the DZ, but I was right over a construction site full of big mounds of dirt, trucks, and trailers. I assumed the wind would die down a little as I got lower and thought I might make it to the landing area, but at 1000 feet I decided I wouldn't take the chance. I saw a narrow cut-down corn field behind me, so I did a couple 180s to put myself on final. I could see a bunch of people at the far end of the field, but I had no idea what was going on. When I was down to about 200 feet, I realized the entire crowd was running straight toward me. Luckily I landed before they reached me. Turned out to be about 30 kids, and for a few minutes, I was there hero. It was so much fun. I showed them my parachute and how to open it and all that. A woman came over and offered me a ride back to the airport. As we walked to her car, I asked what everyone was doing there. "Tractor races" she answered. I wasn't sure what she meant until we reached the parking lot and I saw the beginning of a race. Lawnmower racing. I couldn't believe it. That was about the funniest thing I've seen since I moved to CT.

The site is still down, but Leroy's mirror server is back up and running at ftp://leroys.serveftp.com. Dave

slide 6 is a painting. Seen it in a lot of catalogs. Dave

If the wind is staying constant through the day, try to start your pattern at exactly the same spot on each jump. Notice where you are when you turn base. If you were short last time, force yourself to turn base a little earlier next time, even if it looks like you're gonna overshoot. If the wind is changing, all bets are off, but if you land short every time regardless of the wind, just turn base a little before you think you really should. If you find yourself WAY high on final, you can always S-turn to bleed off some altitude. Whats so bad at the far end of the landing area that you're trying to avoid? Dave

Where was the photographer standing? Those must not be through the glass. Your pics are great... the pics I took and the ones of me when I was there are full of reflections and all blurry. Dave

My current reserve is a 120 loaded at about 1.1. I bought that when I had about 40 jumps. 100 jumps later I'm buying a new rig, this time with a 143 reserve loaded at more like .9. I'm pretty sure I could land my 120 with no problems most of the time, but I always felt like that was pushing it a little. An off landing on a no wind day would just suck under that 120 if I couldn't find a nice big field. Dave

Nono... the money's already spent. Now I just want lies that people like it. Don't worry... you'll get another chance to lie about how great it looks when I post pics after it arrives. Dave

Since they mess up so much airspace when the president travels, I really wish the guy would learn to use a phone. They gave him a nice big flight restriction zone and air defense identification zone around DC. Make him stay right in the center of it. Dave

Cool. My Bev suit is black, charcoal, and royal. Looks great. Dave

This poll isn't making me feel good! C'mon people! Dave

Finally ordered it. I went with bluevector1. If you havent voted yet, vote for that one to make me feel more confident with my decision next time i check the votes.

Yeah, thats my worry about the super thermo gloves. They seem to have an extra layer of insulation on the palm. But, gloves with less insulation and better "feelability" lose their advantage anyway when your hands go numb. Dave

I jump in CT, but some of my coldest jumps were in florida last january. I'm lucky I even brought any winter gear. Stupid record setting cold spell. Dave

It's nearly 5 megs... really want me to email that? Actually lemme just throw it on a web site and send you a link. Just don't make money off my work... or at least share with me!

I searched around for those yoko gloves. Apparently they're now called Toko. But I couldn't find anywhere online that sells them, so I looked for similar gloves. Found Sinisalo gloves. I am going to try either the Super Thermo gloves or the Soft Thermo gloves. I emailed asking how much warmer the supers are and how much thicker they are. Dave